9-1-1 Canceled At FOX, But Season 7 Is Heading To ABC

One of the most popular dramas on all of broadcast television is getting a new home. It has been revealed that "9-1-1" will be moving from Fox to ABC following the season 6 finale, which is set to air on May 15. That means those who wish to watch the show as it airs will need to tune into ABC during season 7 later this year and not Fox. But the important thing for fans is that it will, indeed, live on for at least one more season.

According to Deadline, the series, which hails from creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Tim Minear was canceled by Fox but quickly rescued by ABC. The reason for this had to do with cost, as Fox doesn't actually have a stake in the series and just broadcasts it. "9-1-1" is produced by 20th Century Television, which is owned by Disney. ABC is also owned by the House of Mouse, which makes this a pretty logical fit. Fox had this to say in a statement:

"It has been an honor to be the founding network of '9-1-1' and we are grateful to Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Tim Minear, together with Angela Bassett, Peter Krause, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Oliver Stark, Aisha Hinds, Kenneth Choi, Ryan Guzman and the rest of the cast and crew, and 20th Television for delivering such an impactful series to Fox. We wish them well after '9-1-1's' final Fox season concludes."

What gets a little confusing is the fact that the spin-off, "9-1-1: Lone Star," has been renewed for a fifth season and will remain on Fox. So the flagship series will air on ABC, while "Lone Star" will remain on Fox. Yet, both shows will still be available to stream on Hulu, which is controlled by Disney. In the end, the move means very little to those who simply stream the episodes after they air. For Fox though, the network is losing its highest-rated scripted series.

The show, which boasts an A-list cast that includes the likes of Angela Bassett, Peter Krause, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Oliver Stark, Aisha Hinds, Kenneth Choi, and Ryan Guzman, costs a reported $9 to $10 million per episode. That's a lot of money for a show Fox doesn't actually own at the end of the day, even with the high ratings. That being the case, it makes sense for them to let the series go to ABC. It's worth noting that the series was originally given the green light before Disney acquired most of Fox in 2019. Craig Erwich, president of Disney Television Group, had this to say about it:

"Thanks to the creative drive of Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Tim Minear, as well as the talented cast, '9-1-1' has been one of the most defining and original dramas on network television over the last six seasons and we are honored to bring it to the esteemed group of series on ABC. It's a privilege to keep '9-1-1' in the family with 20th Television producing, and we look forward to telling more heart-racing and uplifting stories about these beloved characters on our air."

In the modern age of television, which is rapidly changing thanks to streaming and cord-cutting, this is far from the first time that one streamer's junk has become another streamer's treasure. This is to say, many shows have been rescued from the depths of cancelation in recent years. "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" moved from Fox to NBC, while "Lucifer" went from Fox to Netflix. More recently, the "Magnum P.I." reboot shifted from CBS to NBC. It happens all the time now and is just part of the business.

"9-1-1" is a procedural drama that explores the high-pressure experiences of police officers, firefighters, and dispatchers who are thrust into the most frightening, shocking, and heart-stopping situations. These emergency responders must try to balance saving those who are at their most vulnerable with solving the problems in their own lives.

"9-1-1" season 7 does not currently have a premiere date.