USA Network Pulls Plug on The Dead Zone, The 4400
Sunday-Night Dramas Not Returning After Ratings Slump
By Anne Becker -- Broadcasting & Cable, 12/19/2007 12:32:00 PM
USA Network is ending long-running series The Dead Zone and The 4400, not picking up either Sunday-night drama for new seasons.
The decision was not surprising -- each had a successful run, but both fell off during the past season and the NBC Universal-owned cable network has a slew of newer series in its stable.
The Dead Zone premiered as basic cable’s most-viewed series ever at the time in June 2002, with 6.4 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research. By season four, it was averaging 3.4 million viewers, and in its sixth and final season this summer, it drew about 2.1 million.
The 4400 premiered in July 2004 as a six-hour limited series and bested The Dead Zone’s premiere showing with 7.4 million viewers, and USA promptly green-lit it to series. Season two averaged 3.9 million viewers, season three 3.2 million and the fourth and final season this summer pulled an average 2.1 million.
With a slew of other shows to likely to premiere this summer (pending, of course, changes brought on by the ongoing writers’ strike), it would have been financially taxing for USA to keep up production on both series, especially given that the ratings showed waning interest from audiences.
While the network hasn’t nailed down scheduling yet for its summer shows, it is teeing up new drama In Plain Sight; second seasons of last summer’s limited The Starter Wife and Burn Notice; a third season of Psych; and possibly a seventh season of Monk. Contracts on the veteran Tony Shalhoub show were being negotiated at the onset of the writers’ strike.
"We wish we could keep all of our great shows alive forever,” USA executive vice president of original programming Jeff Wachtel said. “But we feel that we need to give some of our new shows a platform to grow, and it's with great sadness that we say goodbye to two shows that had a great run and helped to create the resurgence of original programming on our network and on all of cable."
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We loved both the Dead Zone and The 4400 the were the only two series we watched on USA and Have been watching since both Premiered and haven't missed a SUNDAY... BRING THEM BACK! We need some different shows. There are too many that are about "who's sleeping with my man" at least these stories had a real plot!!!!!
Sheila Dorris - 9/4/2008 5:56:00 PM EDT -
Its understandable that the writers strike messed up allot of programs, but please re-consider. Every Summer I look forward to the 4400 and Dead Zone. I have been an avid fan and would hope, may I reiterate, please put this back on the air.
I guess this Summer is shot.
Susan Bloodgood - 7/14/2008 6:49:00 PM EDT -
How dare you do this to us? How could you start something so great like the The Dead Zone and The 4400 and then not even finish it? I'll forever wonder what happens in the end, and it's all your fault! If you ever decide to show how either of the shows end I hope you hire the same stars for it. You've already disappointed us once by pulling the plug. Don't disappoint us again in regards to the shows by replacing the characters with different actors.
Josie - 6/14/2008 10:05:00 PM EDT -
if the dead zone doesnt come back i am getting rid of usa network. i will also have my friends tell there friends and there freinds until you have no more viewers. you produced a highly successfull show and replace it with severe crap reality one days interest programing. shame on you for selling out to the media hype, hoopla. give us the real people the CHARACTERS we like. not the crap some pencil pusher behind a desk said we would like. we are not numbers! we have fallen for our stories and enjoy our escape through your programs, and you want to take it away ! you really showed us you dont value your customers ( because we do pay for usa) opinion!! thanks now i know characters are not welcome!!!!
katy v - 5/23/2008 1:47:00 AM EDT -
I have been watching the DEAD ZONE since it's birth. Please bring back or at least a 2 hour follow up to what was to happen w/ his visions leading to a Washington, DC meltdown. Don't leave viewers like myself hanging. You started something. Finish it!!! Networks are pulling programs left & right without any notice!!! This is getting very old quickly. Please tie the shows loose saga's up properly. Please!!!!!!!
Steve: Spartanburg, South Carolina
Steve Mooneyham - 4/20/2008 10:27:00 PM EDT
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