The CW Will Air Cancelled Yellowstone-Esque Hallmark Show
The CW network is now set to air season 1 of the recently-cancelled Hallmark show Ride, which has often been compared to the series Yellowstone.
The CW is set to air the cancelled Hallmark series Ride. The Hallmark series tells the story of the McMurray family as they struggle to keep their family ranch afloat. Ride aired for a single, ten-episode season before being cancelled by Hallmark.
Ride season 1 will now get a second chance on air as the CW plans to run the show on the network. According to Deadline, the CW picked up the ten episodes of Ride and will begin airing its episodes starting on Monday, January 22. As of now, the network does not have any plans to order a season 2 of Ride.
Ride Has Some Barriers To Success — But Could It Still Get Season 2?
Ride season 1 left off with several cliffhangers that hinted at a dramatic second season of the series. For months, Hallmark left viewers in the dark whether Ride season 2 would end up happening, until finally cancelling the show in November. Hallmark did not cite a reason for Ride’s cancellation, but given its mere single-season effort, it was likely due to low viewership numbers.
Given its Western-like family story, Ride has often been compared to Yellowstone. This does a disservice to the series, as many viewers might be accustomed to the much more dramatic, less-sanitized Yellowstone. Given the increasing popularity of the Western genre — evidenced also through the acclaimed series Lawmen: Bass Reeves — would be a boost to Ride. However, Ride may have struggled to maintain viewers given its comparisons to Yellowstone, which is a much more high-profile production.
Ride season 2 now has a slim chance as the show enters the CW. Lawmen: Bass Reeves has now reached its conclusion, and viewers are still waiting for Yellowstone season 5, part 2. This extended wait may leave some with the Western bug looking for more. Even if it failed before, Ride season 1 could have a shot to bridge that gap on the CW, and if it goes well enough, the network could be motivated to give it a second season.