Fans of the Hallmark Channel’s series Good Witch are not going down without a fight. They have started a petition to keep the network from canceling the show.
“Stop Hallmark Channel from canceling Good Witch” has more than 3,000 signatures. The change.org petition is addressed to the Hallmark Channel, Crown Media (which owns Hallmark), and Whizbang Films, which produced the film series that inspired the show.
The opening of the petition reads, “Good Witch has been among us for 13 years…8 movies and 7 seasons that have all kept us on our toes for years. For some people, this show has kept them sane in hard times and for some, it’s given them joy just watching it.”
Hallmark Channel announced on July 9 that the series would not be renewed for an eighth season.
“‘Good Witch’ has enchanted viewers for over a decade with eight original movies, in addition to the seven-season series,” said Randy Pope, SVP, programming & development. “We extend our gratitude and thanks to the entire cast and crew for their dedication and hard work.”
Fans expressed shock and disappointment on social media.
Falling numbers for Good Witch ratings
Though the network never mentioned ratings when it canceled the series, the fans who wrote the change.org petition cited falling numbers. They referred to an article that showed a decline in viewership of 17 percent from last season to this season.
They suggest that the drop is due to the fact that fans outside of the US and Canada access the show through Netflix, which only has Seasons 1 through 5.
Other fans expressed regret that the show is ending so soon after introducing an LGBTQ storyline.
Good Witch series finale
The show is set to finish July 25 with Season 7, Episode 10, The Wedding. The Merriwick women are in a race against time to save their powers from the effects of the red-haloed moon. In Episode 9, the women were searching Grey House for protective amulets when they all collapsed.
In an interview with Extra, star Catherine Bell said the show may be over but there was always room for another Good Witch film.
“Maybe we’ll do a movie to wrap it up,” she said.
The finale episode of Good Witch airs on Hallmark Sunday, July 25 at 9/8c.
Good Witch has been one of my favorite shows. Please reconsider and let it continue on. It is a nice break from the “real world” of sadness.
No honest big business would make a foolish decision to cancel any show based on comparing viewer numbers between a year of covid-19 with millions of people stuck at home with a TV versus this year with millions out and about at work, socializing with family & friends, traveling … etc.
It is VERY suspicious that the show is ending so soon after introducing an LGBTQ storyline. Wonder what or who (prejudiced investors???) forced/threatened hallmark to back down.
I have enjoyed Good Witch since its onset of various movies. Have seen Grace grow from childhood to a young adult. Catherine Bell who found a love, married and widowed; then finding a second love and married. Martha, the mayor etc with all her “problems”; she tried to rid the community of the Good Witch and then becomes a best friend. These are things your viewers lives can really relate, not the magic, but the outcomes of a variety of everyday living . Please reconside your decision to cancel the show.
Does anyone actually listen to the viewers? This is a program watched by many!!! Please DO NOT cancel it!!! I always plan on watching it.
Couldn’t they even leave us with a happy-ever-after? What heartless beast made the decision to stomp on my already broken heart? Never did like ‘when-calls-the-heart’ and never plan to watch it but was planning to watch many of H’marks movies … until they just couldn’t end on an upbeat but had to slap down Abigail. Why? Why?? WHY??? Deal breaker, h’mark … i am done with you. That was a very, very mean and nasty trick to pull. Had i known … never would have watched. Was expecting a gentle let-down but got a big slap-down instead. Fortunately for me, there are lots of good shows worth watching so i won’t have to miss y’all at all.
OK If any of the wonderful people from The Good Witch should appear on the h’mark channel in the future i shall tune in and watch to support them. Also will watch for any of the same people wherever they may appear.