'Little Voice' is first Apple TV+ series to see cancellation

AppleInsider

"Little Voice," the songwriting drama produced by J.J. Abrams and Sara Bareilles, has not been renewed for a second season, making it the first Apple TV+ series to see cancellation.

Citing sources familiar with the matter, The Hollywood Reporter on Wednesday reports Apple decided to cancel the show after one season.

Created by Bareilles and fellow writer, director and producer Jessie Nelson, "Little Voice" tells the story of Bess King as she navigates the New York City music scene while coping with life issues like love and family. The show stars Brittany O'Grady and features original songs written by Bareilles, some of which were released as an official soundtrack.

Sean Teale, Colton Ryan, Shalini Bathina, Kevin Valdez, Phillip Johnson Richardson and Chuck Cooper also starred.

The series marked a reunion for Bareilles and Nelson, who previously partnered on the breakout Broadway musical "Waitress."

Picked up for a 10-episode run, "Little Voice" received generally positive reviews and was nominated for an NAACP Image Award in the Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series category. The series debuted in July of 2020.

Along with Abrams, Bareilles and Nelson, Ben Stephenson ("Westworld") is listed as an executive producer. Apple is also working with Abrams' Bad Robot production company on Stephen King adaptation "Lisey's Story."

AppleInsider found "Little Voice" quaint, but the show's plot and execution were unable to make good use of its strong cast.

Read on AppleInsider

neverindoubt

Apparently, there is a limit as to how much cash Apple will incinerate on AppleTV+.

genovelle

I forgot it even existed

pairof9

It just felt like a show/movie you've seen a dozen times, nice but not original...antithesis of what Apple seems to be pushing for Apple TV +

Xed

genovelle said:

I forgot it even existed

As far as I know I hadn't even heard of it.

Japhey

genovelle said:

I forgot it even existed

Lol. 

I remember they talked about it at the launch event and never heard another peep about it until this article. 

ArchStanton

neverindoubt said:

Apparently, there is a limit as to how much cash Apple will incinerate on AppleTV+.

Too bad Apple doesn't parse the services revenue line item. It would be interesting to see how much cash they're burning to produce content on AppleTV+. 
The Hanks/Spielberg WW2 series now is reportedly running up towards 250 million to produce.  They're definitely burning cash on AppleTV+. But they must see this as an eventual solid money maker. Apple doesn't have a habit of funding money losers for extended period of time.

5$ a month, I figure Apple needs around 30 million paying subscribers to hit break even (somewhere in the neighborhood of 2 billion per year gross revenue). I have my doubts Apple is at 20 million paying subscribers much less 30 (with the exception of AppleOne -- don't know what a bundle may bring in). Apple claimed they have 700 million paying subscriptions across all their services. I'm guessing Apple Music and iCloud and AppleOne make up the very big majority of this. 

elijahg

ArchStanton said:

neverindoubt said:

Apparently, there is a limit as to how much cash Apple will incinerate on AppleTV+.

Too bad Apple doesn't parse the services revenue line item. It would be interesting to see how much cash they're burning to produce content on AppleTV+. 
The Hanks/Spielberg WW2 series now is reportedly running up towards 250 million to produce.  They're definitely burning cash on AppleTV+. But they must see this as an eventual solid money maker. Apple doesn't have a habit of funding money losers for extended period of time.

5$ a month, I figure Apple needs around 30 million paying subscribers to hit break even (somewhere in the neighborhood of 2 billion per year gross revenue). I have my doubts Apple is at 20 million paying subscribers much less 30 (with the exception of AppleOne -- don't know what a bundle may bring in). Apple claimed they have 700 million paying subscriptions across all their services. I'm guessing Apple Music and iCloud and AppleOne make up the very big majority of this. 

I don't doubt that's why AppleTV+ is in every bundle of AppleOne, they can claim people with AppleOne are subbing AppleTV+ too. I cancelled AppleOne because it didn't suit me - I don't think it's good value with the current selection of services. Mainly because I'd much rather swap AppleTV+ for any other service: more storage, Arcade, or Fitness+ would be preferable. Apparently others would do the same considering the low AppleTV+ uptake. But they're pushing it likely in the hope that people actually watch AppleTV+, or at least they can claim people who sub AppleOne are also subbing AppleTV+.

22july2013

A cancelled show is still owned by someone else (usually not the broadcaster) and can be re-sold to another network or distributor.

ArchStanton

elijahg said:

ArchStanton said:

neverindoubt said:

Apparently, there is a limit as to how much cash Apple will incinerate on AppleTV+.

Too bad Apple doesn't parse the services revenue line item. It would be interesting to see how much cash they're burning to produce content on AppleTV+. 
The Hanks/Spielberg WW2 series now is reportedly running up towards 250 million to produce.  They're definitely burning cash on AppleTV+. But they must see this as an eventual solid money maker. Apple doesn't have a habit of funding money losers for extended period of time.

5$ a month, I figure Apple needs around 30 million paying subscribers to hit break even (somewhere in the neighborhood of 2 billion per year gross revenue). I have my doubts Apple is at 20 million paying subscribers much less 30 (with the exception of AppleOne -- don't know what a bundle may bring in). Apple claimed they have 700 million paying subscriptions across all their services. I'm guessing Apple Music and iCloud and AppleOne make up the very big majority of this. 

I don't doubt that's why AppleTV+ is in every bundle of AppleOne, they can claim people with AppleOne are subbing AppleTV+ too. I cancelled AppleOne because it didn't suit me - I don't think it's good value with the current selection of services. Mainly because I'd much rather swap AppleTV+ for any other service: more storage, Arcade, or Fitness+ would be preferable. Apparently others would do the same considering the low AppleTV+ uptake. But they're pushing it likely in the hope that people actually watch AppleTV+, or at least they can claim people who sub AppleOne are also subbing AppleTV+.

I don't subscribe to AppleOne either for similar reasons. AppleTV+ isn't something I currently would use (that could change in January). I do pay for things I do use, iCloud and Music, but even 4 dollars more for AppleOne just isn't a good use of funds (I won't use Arcade and AppleTV+). 

I'm hoping more service options come along too. A better mix would be a better use case for me to pay more.  

baconstang

"Songwriting drama"?

harry wild

Apple TV+ has yet to have anything appealing to me!  I do not get the audience they are targeting other then the awards and media critics crowd which are a very niche segment and not represent the general streaming service viewership.  

byronl

harry wild said:

Apple TV+ has yet to have anything appealing to me!  I do not get the audience they are targeting other then the awards and media critics crowd which are a very niche segment and not represent the general streaming service viewership.  

Check out Ted Lasso, for all mankind, defending Jacob

DAalseth

ArchStanton said:

neverindoubt said:

Apparently, there is a limit as to how much cash Apple will incinerate on AppleTV+.

Apple doesn't have a habit of funding money losers for extended period of time.

(Cough)AppleCar(cough)

scampercom

Little Voice (1998) was already a great film with Brenda Blethyn, Jane Horrocks (who is _amazing_), and Ewan McGregor. You can rent it on any platform, and you should. Forget the series.

dcgoo

22july2013 said:

A cancelled show is still owned by someone else (usually not the broadcaster) and can be re-sold to another network or distributor.

Maybe Netflix. I really enjoyed Little
Voice

randominternetperson

I enjoyed the show, as did my wife.  Having said that it probably isn't in my top 10 Apple TV+ favorites.  Most of Apple's shows are "must see TV" in my household.  If Apple keeps investing in quality shows, I expect ATV+ to be an easy "must have" for at least tens of millions of people. I just hope that people try it out for Ted Lasso and stick around to try For All Mankind, Trying, Mythic Quest, Mosquito Coast, The Morning Show, Dickinson, Defending Jacob, and the Billie Eilish bio-pic.  I hope Foundation is a mega hit.