Witchblade has been cancelled by TNT. And not for the usual reasons given by a network from the article on Yahoo:
"It's a very tough decision," Koonin told Daily Variety. "Our criteria for this show were really four-fold."
The four hopes for the show were that it be: advertiser- and cable operator-friendly, a show that differentiated the network from its competitors, a ratings builder, and a show that laid groundwork for the network to be in the summer series business.
"'Witchblade' did all of that great for two years," Koonin said. "We just felt to stretch it to a third year could hurt some of those areas." Okay, forgive me if I say "huh?" You've got a proven winner who is consistently expanding its audience. You've got a show that is also currently your *only* original series, since you gave up on other shows before they got off the ground. You have a show with a different concept and fairly intelligent writing. You have a show that has a wide demographic both male and female, probably not what you intended.
I'm wondering if there is something they're not telling us. The series went briefly on hiatus while Yancy Butler went into alcohol rehab. That first criteria about appealing to the advertisers makes me wonder if TNT is afraid that the situation is a liability they don't need.
It's almost not worth it to become interested in a new show. The networks will find some way to break your heart. The fandom is going through the roof. The Witchblade producer was even asked about the third season, so obviously they were interested in continuing the series.
Damn. Damn. Damn.
