The Fall of Custer: Why This Television Show Was Cancelled and Its Impact on TV History

Television series often rise and fall based on a myriad of factors, from critical acclaim and production quality to ratings and audience reception. In the case of the 1967 ABC series Custer, the reasons for its cancellation were multifaceted and had a significant impact on television history. In this article, we will delve into the reasons behind the Custer cancellation and what this event tells us about the television industry and viewer preferences during the 1960s.

The Development of Custer

Developed by Ayres Allen Winer, Custer was an ambitious Western series that aimed to bring historical accuracy and depth to the genre. The series followed the life of George Armstrong Custer, a controversial figure in American history, and covered the events leading up to the Little Bighorn Battle. Despite its compelling premise, the series struggled from the outset, with a series of challenges that ultimately led to its cancellation.

Low Nielsen Ratings

The primary reason for the cancellation of Custer was its consistently low Nielsen ratings. Nielsen ratings are a vital metric in the television industry, providing data on viewership and audience demographics. For a new series to succeed, it needs to be able to attract and retain viewers to a significant degree, which Custer repeatedly failed to do. During its two-season run, Custer never managed to break into the top 50 rated shows, and by the end of its first season, its ratings had dropped significantly. This lack of viewership made it difficult for the network to justify the continued investment in the series, leading to its cancellation in 1969.

Previous Show Precedent: Virginian and Lost in Space

The cancellation of Custer was not an isolated incident. At the same time, other Western series were also struggling in the marketplace. Two prominent examples are NBC's Virginian and CBS's Lost in Space. Both of these shows were well-reviewed but did not manage to achieve the viewership necessary to sustain them.

NBC's Virginian, an adaptation of the television Western series from the 1950s, was a series that caught the attention of the critical community. It boasted strong performances and was lauded for its high production values and accurate portrayal of life in the Old West. However, despite its positive reviews, it failed to garner the necessary viewership. Similarly, CBS's Lost in Space, the adaptation of the classic science fiction series, was innovative and thrilling, but it also struggled to connect with the audience. These shows, along with Custer, demonstrate the challenges that new and innovative series faced during this period.

Public Relations (PR) Challenges

In addition to the low ratings and competition from other Western series, Custer was also facing significant PR challenges. The show's historical reenactments and characters were not without controversy, as they challenged popular narratives and sparked debates among historians and the public. These issues added to the network's decision to cancel the show, further diminishing its chances of finding a larger audience.

The Significance of Custer Cancellation

The cancellation of Custer has several implications for the television industry and viewers of the time. Firstly, it highlights the crucial role that viewership plays in the survival of television series. Series that fail to attract a significant audience risk being cancelled, regardless of their quality or critical acclaim. This event also underscores the pressures faced by networks to balance entertainment value with audience appeal, often leading to programs that, while innovative or historically accurate, may lack the broad appeal to meet high viewer expectations.

Moreover, the cancellation of Custer speaks to the broader challenges of representing historical figures and events in popular media. The show attempted to provide a nuanced and historically accurate portrayal of George Armstrong Custer, respectfully exploring his life and the events that led to the Little Bighorn tragedy. However, it also faced criticism from those who felt the portrayal was too sympathetic or did not align with their personal or historical interpretations of the events. This highlights the delicate balance that television series must maintain between accuracy, entertainment value, and audience satisfaction.

Conclusion

The cancellation of Custer is a prime example of the complex interplay between ratings, PR, and entertainment value in the television industry. While the show aimed to be both historically accurate and entertaining, these factors ultimately led to its cancellation. Nonetheless, the series' exploration of a controversial historical figure remains relevant and provides valuable insights into the challenges of representing historical events and figures in popular culture. As we look back at this event, we can see how the cancellation of Custer reflects the broader pressures faced by television series in the 1960s and beyond, challenging the balance between historical accuracy and audience appeal.