Chicago Fans Left Worried the Show Will Be Canceled Due to the Strikes
The Strikes’ Effect on the Show’s Fate.
2023 has been one of the most tumultuous years for the entertainment industry, with the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes now in their fifth month. Each month that the AMPTP continues to ignore the demands of TV and film workers, the situation grows more dire. Not only has the resumption of production on many popular projects been put on hold, but these projects also face an increased risk of cancellation.
NBC's Chicago Fire has never experienced major delays lasting more than two months in its 11-year run. Each new season has traditionally premiered in the fall and concluded in May. Although a 12th season was announced in April, the longer the strike goes on, the more concerned fans get that NBC may lose patience and just pull the plug on this flagship series in the Chicago One franchise.
Lessons of 2007-2008 WGA Strike
The previous writers' strike authorized by the WGA took place in November 2007. Many shows popular at that time ended up being canceled. For instance, the sci-fi drama The 4400 was canceled, and that decision wasn't reversed even though Season 4 ended on a cliffhanger.
Back then, however, there were fewer such instances. Many more shows were postponed or released with fewer episodes than originally ordered.
Will Chicago Fire Get Affected This Time?
Fans realize that the situation is far more serious now, given that the strikes have lasted five months with no immediate prospect of a quick resolution. This not only means that scripted series will have to be rescheduled, but it also heightens cancellation risks.
That said, we probably shouldn't worry too much about the possible cancellation of Chicago Fire. Yes, it's true that back in 2007, a bunch of shows did get canceled, but Chicago Fire is a core project at NBC, and the network will probably hold on to it for dear life at a time when traditional broadcast television is quickly losing relevance as consumers are increasingly switching to streaming services.
The only significant risk is that the new season may be released in a truncated format with fewer episodes. With so many ongoing story arcs and complexities, it's hard to imagine how the writers could pull it off. But hopefully, they will have better working conditions and better pay by then.