The cancellation of “Underground” means questions are left unanswered. (WGN America)
John Legend is on the hunt for a new home for his ratings record-setting WGN America series “Underground” after the network was bought by a conservative-leaning company.
Tribune Media, the owner of WGN, has been bought by Sinclair, one of the country’s largest TV companies, according to a press release. WGN gave “Underground” the ax after two seasons as the network moves away from scripted programming, Tribune’s president and CEO Peter Kern announced.
“As WGN America evolves and broadens the scope and scale of its portfolio of series, we recently announced that resources will be reallocated to a new strategy to increase our relevance within the rapidly changing television landscape,” Kern said in a statement obtained by Deadline. “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. We are tremendously proud of this landmark series that captured the zeitgeist and made an impact on television in a way never before seen on the medium.
“It is our hope that this remarkable show finds another home and continues its stories of courage, determination and freedom.”
Legend, who served as executive producer on the antebellum period piece about the Underground Railroad, is leading that charge. He’s asking fans to share the networks on which they want to see the series, which debuted to 1.4 million viewers — a record for WGN.
WGN America has been bought and is going a different direction strategically. We will find a new home for #Underground! https://t.co/xY47THI1Yl
— John Legend (@johnlegend) May 30, 2017
Feel free to drop some hints to the networks/streaming services you want to pick up #Underground. Show them who will be watching!
— John Legend (@johnlegend) May 30, 2017
He also issued a warning about Sinclair’s ties to Republican politics and conservative causes, which has been the basis for scrutiny against the company, CNN Money reported.
Be wary of Sinclair though. They're trying to make local stations mini Fox Newses, but more to the right.
— John Legend (@johnlegend) May 30, 2017
Content wins. We're not reliant on a particular network to make great content. We're so proud of our show and the audience that supported!
— John Legend (@johnlegend) May 30, 2017
Legend said he’s “not reliant on a particular network to make great content,” but “Underground” needs one to be seen and Deadline reported it once had three candidates up for the task. BET, OWN and Hulu, which has streaming rights, have all been approached, but BET dropped out despite being close to a deal. Meanwhile, OWN is reportedly still considering the show with Hulu continuing to show interest.
The cast of “Underground” has since responded to the news.
I'm grateful 2 @jurneesmollett & the entire @UndergroundWGN fam 4 bringing this story to life. We got 2 witness the uprising. It continues✊🏿
— Jussie Smollett (@JussieSmollett) May 30, 2017
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUvJVDmgA-1/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUvEKR0j_js/
Fans of the series expressed their feelings, too.
WGN cancelled the only show that had their shitty ass network trending every Wednesday night? Wow!#UndergroundWGN
— Nymph O. Braniac (@nikkibey4life) May 30, 2017
BLACK SHOWS MATTER @UndergroundWGN #UndergroundWGN pic.twitter.com/uAIjLzDPPY
— TashLoveArter (@TashLoveArter) May 30, 2017
#UndergroundWGN perhaps needs to be picked up by OWN or something. There is no way, a show THAT incredible, should be cancelled.
— ZERO ALLEGIANCE TO LOSERS (@Ms__Yve) May 30, 2017
when a station gets rid of its HIGHEST RATING show….. YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND its MORE THAN 'JUST A SHOW' #undergroundwgn pic.twitter.com/Cn2PAqmlmT
— #上海上门#上海丝足#上海足浴 (@ARainSoul) May 31, 2017
