NBC has a lot of “bubble shows” that, despite aggressive fan support, do not technically have the ratings strength to justify a renewal for the 2010-11 season. Among this pack that includes “Chuck” and “Heroes” is veteran series “Law & Order,” which was considered a near lock to receive a renewal–not because its viewership is strong but because a renewal would have produced a record-setting 21st season for the drama.
NBC’s Angela Bromstad even commented a few months ago that she would not want to be responsible for preventing “Law & Order” from setting the record. If that was not a convincing sign that “L&O” had a future into next season, what else, save for an actual renewal announcement, would be?
If a Deadline Hollywood report is to be believed, however, NBC decided not to set the record and will be cancelling the veteran series.
With a strong dramatic slate that also includes new spin-off series “Law & Order: Los Angeles,” NBC apparently opted not to reserve a scheduling position for the aging “L&O” series. Spin-off “Law & Order: SVU,” which performs considerably better with the young adults demographic, remains on the schedule.
Recent reports had explained that a renewal was contingent on NBC working out a new off-network licensing deal with TNT; it remains to be seen if an issue related to those negotiations played a part in the cancellation.