The wave of Peacock streaming cancellations is officially here – and it’s hitting harder than fans expected. The NBC-owned platform has slashed four shows from its 2025 lineup, joining a broader industry trend of networks cleaning house as the TV season turns.
So far, the Peacock streaming cancellations list includes:
- Based on a True Story – The dark comedy thriller starring Kaley Cuoco and Chris Messina was canceled after just two seasons. Its final episode aired April 15, leaving fans stunned by the abrupt ending.
- Mr. Throwback – This short-lived mockumentary comedy, featuring Adam Pally and NBA superstar Steph Curry, barely made it through six episodes before getting the axe.
- Teacup – Despite buzz around its horror-thriller premise inspired by Robert McCammon’s novel Stinger, Teacup couldn’t survive past a single season. Yvonne Strahovski and Scott Speedman led the cast, but it wasn’t enough to secure a renewal.
- Hysteria! – Even with a solid 91% Rotten Tomatoes rating, this 1989-set horror-comedy starring Julie Bowen was cut after one season. The show’s eerie take on the Satanic Panic era wasn’t enough to beat the cancellation wave.
Why Are Peacock Shows Getting Canceled?
The Peacock streaming cancellations reflect an increasingly tough market. Platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and even CBS have all slashed popular series this year, with networks citing low viewership, budget cuts, and shifting content strategies. Despite the cancellations, some Peacock originals are still standing strong. The Ted spinoff series has already been renewed for a second season, and hit reality shows like Love Island Games and The Traitors are confirmed for new seasons as well.
Still, for fans of scripted dramas and comedies, the Peacock streaming cancellations feel like another gut punch – especially after promising critical reviews for shows like Hysteria!.
What’s Next for Peacock?
While losing four original series in one season isn’t a small blow, Peacock seems focused on tightening its slate for the future. Reality TV is booming, and with major live events like WWE moving under the Peacock umbrella, the platform is betting big on different types of content to drive subscriptions. One thing’s for sure: Peacock streaming cancellations are part of a bigger trend in streaming wars, where even quality isn’t always enough to guarantee survival. For now, fans will have to cross their fingers that their favorite shows survive the next round of cuts.
In a related note, the cancellation of these shows raises questions about the future of scripted programming on streaming platforms. As networks continue to pivot towards reality and event programming, fans of traditional series may find themselves increasingly disappointed. The trend isn't limited to Peacock; other platforms are also re-evaluating their content strategies, leading to a wave of cancellations across the board.
Peacock's decision to cut these four shows comes amid a backdrop of significant changes in the entertainment industry. The rise of streaming has transformed how audiences consume content, with viewers demanding more from their subscriptions. However, the financial realities of producing scripted content mean that networks are often forced to make difficult choices.
"Based on a True Story," which debuted in 2023, stars Kaley Cuoco and Chris Messina as married couple Ava and Nathan Bartlett. During season one, the Bartletts partnered with a serial killer to launch a true crime podcast. The season two finale ended on a cliffhanger, leaving fans with unanswered questions about the canceled series.
The other three shows that Peacock axed had even less time to build their audiences. "Mr. Throwback" stars Adam Pally, Ego Nwodim, Ayden Mayeri, and Stephen Curry as himself. The mockumentary-style series follows Danny Grossman (Pally), a sports memorabilia dealer who owes money to the Polish mafia. In order to pay his debts, he reconnects with his old teammate, NBA star Curry.
"Teacup" is a horror series based on the Robert R. McCammon novel "Stinger." Yvonne Strahovski, Scott Speedman, Chaske Spencer, Kathy Baker, Diany Rodriguez, and Boris McGiver star as the inhabitants of an isolated Georgia ranch forced to contend with a mysterious threat. Meanwhile, "Hysteria!" is also a horror series, although it features comedic elements as well. The show is set during the satanic panic of the 1980s. When a star varsity football player goes missing in a Detroit suburb, the residents begin to suspect occultists and set their sights on the members of a heavy metal band called Dethkrunch. The show stars Emjay Anthony, Chiara Aurelia, Kezii Curtis, Nikki Hahn, Bruce Campbell, Anna Camp, and Julie Bowen.
Despite the cancellations, the future of Peacock remains uncertain. The platform is focusing on reality TV and live events like WWE to drive subscriptions. This shift indicates a broader trend in the industry, where networks are prioritizing content that attracts large audiences and generates buzz.
As the streaming landscape continues to evolve, fans are left wondering about the fate of their favorite shows. With so many series being canceled, it’s clear that even established platforms like Peacock are not immune to the pressures of the market. The question remains: what will this mean for the future of scripted content?
In the meantime, viewers can still catch up on the canceled shows, which are available to stream on Peacock. But as the streaming wars heat up, fans may need to brace themselves for more cancellations in the future.
