HBO Cancels ‘Vinyl’

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

HBO said Wednesday that it has decided to cancel its high-profile series Vinyl, four months after renewing the series for a second season.

The Mick Jagger/Martin Scorsese drama starring Bobby Cannavale and Ray Romano was renewed for a sophomore season this past February days after the show's premiere on the channel, but in subsequent weeks the series, which chronicled the 1970's rock music scene, failed to drive ratings for the network.

Overall, Vinyl averaged 4.3 million viewers across multiple plays and screens, according to HBO.

HBO officials said in a statement: “After careful consideration, we have decided not to proceed with a second season of Vinyl.  Obviously, this was not an easy decision.  We have enormous respect for the creative team and cast for their hard work and passion on this project.”

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.