WGN America Cancels ‘Underground’

By R. Thomas Umstead
( Broadcasting & Cable )
published

WGN America has canceled scripted drama series Underground after two seasons.

The cancellation of the slavery-themed series Tuesday comes after the network signaled its plans to reallocate resources away from the scripted series business as part of Sinclair Television’s merger with WGN America parent Tribune. The network in April canceled another scripted drama series Outsiders after two seasons.

“This move is designed to deliver additional value for our advertising and distribution partners and offer viewers more original content across our air,” said Peter Kern, president and CEO for Tribune Media Company in a statement. “Despite Underground being a terrific and important series, it no longer fits with our new direction and we have reached the difficult decision not to renew it for a third season.” 

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R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.