TV Questions: What is ‘hiatus’? What is ‘cancellation’?

Many fans of a TV show become panic stricken when they hear that the network has put a show on “hiatus“. Many equate “hiatus” with “cancellation“. In fact, though, they are not the same thing: one can be temporary, the other is almost certainly permanent.

When a TV show is put on “hiatus”, it is removed from the schedule for *later use*. It does not necessarily mean that a particular TV show will never return to the network’s schedule. Often, when a TV show is put on “hiatus”, it will be “retooled” or “reworked” by the network. In this case, a TV show will almost always return to the network’s schedule at a later date, in an altered format.

In any case, “hiatus” is by no means an automatic death sentence for a show, as many shows have returned from hiatus and thrived (e.g. “Wings” and “Seinfeld”). Still, not all shows that are put on “hiatus” do return; most do move from “hiatus” to official “cancellation”.

“Cancellation” for a TV show is almost always fatal in the near term, and it is always fatal in the long term (of course!). When a show is “cancelled” it is officially pulled from the network’s schedule and will not return. Few shows have come back from cancellation. Some have been “uncancelled” and returned to a network’s schedule for a season or so (e.g. “Cagney & Lacey”, “Quantum Leap”). Others have jumped to another network after the original network has canceled them (e.g. “Jeff Foxworthy”, from ABC to NBC; “JAG” from NBC to CBS; “Sister, Sister” from ABC to UPN). But when a show is canceled, 99 times out of 100, it isn’t coming back as a first-run show.

Alastair James is the editor-in-chief of Memorable TV, leading the charge in covering today's must-see television. A lifelong television enthusiast, his passion began with a deep dive into the world of classic sci-fi, culminating in his role as editor of "Beyond the Static," a publication devoted to celebrating iconic sci-fi series. While his love for classic television remains, Alastair's focus at Memorable TV is firmly on the present, analyzing the latest trends in the television landscape, from gripping crime dramas to the ever-evolving strategies of Survivor. His insights have been featured in numerous publications. At Memorable TV, Alastair's goal is to provide readers with sharp commentary, engaging reviews, and in-depth analysis of the shows dominating the current conversation.