FOX Pulls 'Red Band Society' From Schedule

While it may not be canceled, things aren't looking good for Red Band Society.

FOX has decided to halt production on the series once it completes its initial 13-episode order. The show will air its tenth episode this Wednesday, December 3rd, but will vanish from the schedule afterwards, with no indication of when, or if, the remaining three episodes will air.

The coming-of-age drama set in a hospital's pediatric ward, Red Band Society debuted to a paltry 4 million viewers and a 1.3 in the 18-49 demographic. And its ratings have only worsened with each week, as the latest episode raked in 2.9 million viewers and a 0.9 in the demo. Adapted from the Catalan drama Polseres vermelles, the show is the latest in a long line of freshman series at FOX to underperform, following the cratering ratings for Mulaney, the high-profile failure of Utopia, and the disappointing performance of Gracepoint. Only Gotham has managed to deliver, earning a full season in the process.

Of course, maybe three million viewers will be enough for FOX to decide to save it and put it on Fridays or somewhere else. As unlikely as it seems now, a second season isn't entirely out of the question. I mean, if the higher-ups didn't like the show, they would have pulled it long before this point. But the network seemed dedicated to airing as much of it as possible, either from a genuine enthusiasm for the show -- which is surprisingly touching -- or from a lack of anything else to air in its spot. Who knows, maybe the shortcomings of FOX's schedule will be enough to save Red Band Society? Either way, judging by this scheduling decision from FOX, it's going to take a miracle.

H/T: Entertainment Weekly

Credit: FOX