Sci-Fi series cost small fortune in rendering and costumes. Even if they look bad. Currently all TV stations are trying to pull all series that cost money, regardless of whether it's in postproduction or known faces. Unless something syndicates all over the world to the tune of Lost or Heroes, there are just no companies that will take a risk on doing series for few million bucks, let alone episodes for million bucks. And it's not just sci-fi - costume dramas and anything that requires location outside Canada will be gone to. Even if by "costume" they mean few flare trousers and jackets with potato bag pockets like in Life On Mars.
They know they can do half wit, unresearched, written on a napkin in 5 minutes series about "some dude helping pretty policeman/woman solve crime, preferably using unorthodox method" (Listener/Lie To Me/Mentalist/Medium/Castle/Psych), undefinitely multiply law dramas (Law&Order:London all the way down to Law And Order:Little Creek if neccessary) or crime investigators (Bones/NCIS/CSI:LV/CSI:Miami/CSI:NY). If we tried to watch something not crime related and not a cheap, studio shot commedy you could only end up with one of self multiplying hospital dramas (Greys Anathomy/Private Practice/ER or House).
For the next two years there will be no risky ventures, no off the wall ideas, no themes outside connon of family sitcom/lawyer stuff/hospital drama/crime. No money splashing, you'll see less of expensive actors in the same series, less known faces around, more canadian actors and writers making their way across to prime time on main stations.
Credit crunch caused credits crunch
