The possibility of future crossovers within the 9-1-1 franchise, after big network changes, is given a hopeful update by lead star Rob Lowe.
9-1-1: Lone Star lead star Rob Lowe gives an optimistic update about the possibility of future crossovers within the 9-1-1 franchise. The first responder drama received game-changing news when it was announced that the original 9-1-1 series had been cancelled at Fox and will move to ABC for season 7. 9-1-1: Lone Star was renewed for season 5 and will continue to air on Fox. The split, which was the result of financial considerations, put the chances of more crossovers between the two shows in doubt.
After Fox Entertainment President Michael Thorn cast doubt on future 9-1-1 crossovers, Lowe expressed to Variety that the two shows could collide once again. Although the actor stressed that he didn’t know for sure and “didn’t have any insight”, Lowe spoke from the perspective of what he’d do if he was in charge. In addition to striking a hopeful tone about crossovers, the Emmy nominee also talked about a third 9-1-1 show. Read his full quote below:
“Oh I think we will. There’s a world where ‘9-1-1 Lone Star’ and ‘9-1-1’ are on at the same time on different networks. I don’t think they would cannibalize it. But I mean, anything’s possible. My guess is that it will end up in a world where Ryan will be Dick Wolf at Disney and have his own night. I think that’s where this all heads. I wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t a third ‘9-1-1.’ Why not? ‘9-1-1: Sin City.’ I’m just spitballing. I don’t have any insight. I just know what I’d be doing if I ran the world.”
Why 9-1-1 Is Moving To ABC – And Why It Won’t Really Change Crossovers
The move to ABC, after the hectic 9-1-1 season 6 finale, was related to issues of both ownership and cost. Disney’s 20th Television owns both 9-1-1 and its Lone Star spinoff, which factored into Fox’s decision to cancel 9-1-1. The network used to own the series prior to selling its television studio. Since then, Fox has been looking for ways to decrease its expenses which included the licensing fee in order to air both the original 9-1-1 and the spinoff. With broadcast ratings continuing to slide overall, Fox made the decision to part ways with 9-1-1 while keeping the spinoff.
Even though 9-1-1 ranks as the top broadcast drama in the advertiser-focused 18-49 demographic, Fox reportedly paid more than $9 million per episode to air it with Lone Star reportedly costing $6-$7 million per episode. Fox Entertainment CEO Rob Wade acknowledged the economics of it during a press call in May, saying in part, “The decision was made there that the business model wasn’t right for us, and that 20th would take the show back.”
It’s in that same press call that 9-1-1 crossovers were deemed to be extremely unlikely. Even when the two shows were on the same network, the dramas have crossed over only twice. One occurred in 9-1-1: Lone Star’s second installment, which was a full-fledged disaster-centric event. Another much smaller tie-in happened in Lone Star season 3, with Angela Bassett’s character, Athena, making an appearance via FaceTime.
