The age of streaming has led to different practices when it comes to the production of TV, and more shows are seeing cancellation pretty quickly if they don’t make crazy numbers when they first drop.
When it comes to Amazon’s Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power though, it does sound like this Middle-earth prequel could be safe from the cancellation axe no matter what the Nielsen Ratings are saying.
Amazon is Committed to Finish The Rings of Power
In a recent article from The Hollywood Reporter, it’s been said that the second season of Rings of Power has seen a decline when it comes to viewership; and while some think this could lead to Amazon cancelling the series early, the site confirms that the network is ‘committed to the show’s original five-season plan.’
As it stands, the first season of Rings of Power is still considered to have the highest number of views when it comes to other properties in the Amazon library, and even hits shows like Fallout and The Boys haven’t been able to match it globally. Prime Video is said to consider the season to be on its Top 5 shows internationally.
When it comes to Season 2 though, there is said to be a noticeable decline, but that could be just because the first season was able to gather so many viewers. If anything, Amazon still says that the second season was able to gather 40 million viewers when it premiered, but it’s not clear how much of the show they watched or if they even finished the episodes at all.
Could the Audience Catch Up?
Though Season 2 is said to have fewer viewers, the season has been getting a lot of praise critically. Despite what some negative LOTR content creators are saying, critics have been enjoying this season of TROP. With the first season spending so much time on exposition and setting up characters, the story actually gets to move forward with Season 2 and War of the Last Alliance draws ever closer.
If anything, it’s possible that the views would just come in after the season is completed. Though there are fans who have been enjoying the weekly drops, there have been others who have preferred the binge model where they can just watch the whole season in one go.
Once Season 2 is complete, maybe more people will be eager to finally tune in, knowing that they don’t have to spend the next week being anxious about a cliffhanger.
Then again, this is all just speculation on the fans’ part. Until the season ends and the numbers come in, all fans can really do is guess.
Breaking Down Five Seasons
It’s unclear how the series wants to break up the story of the Second Age into five parts, but with the first season focusing on the creation of the elven rings, maybe this second season could focus on the making of the ones for the dwarves.
Following this pattern, Season 3 could just be about the forging of the Rings for the men, and Season 4 would finally be about the creation of the One Ring. The fifth and final season could be the build-up to the War of the Last Alliance and the fall of Sauron.
Again, this is just speculation, but fingers crossed it won’t take 10 years to complete the whole story, what with the 2-year gap between each season.
Catch The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
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The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power