‘Studio 60’ Cancellation Report False

A Fox news report that stated NBC’s slumping Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip had been dropped from the schedule is apparently incorrect.

According to an NBC representative, the show hasn’t been cancelled and is “profitable at this point,” writes MediaPost. The network has ordered three more episodes.

Yesterday’s time slot for the show was given to an airing of Friday Night Lights, placed there for a trial run. Friday Night Lights has been a poor performer on Tuesdays. It could be viewed as a better companion to NBC’s hit Heroes on Mondays, in which case Studio 60 could get a time slot change.

Last week, Studio 60’s ratings were up, and the show is averaging a 3.8 for the season. It will air next Monday in its usual slot.

Executives are likely holding out hopes for the show because it has an upscale profile. Through Oct. 8 it ranked fourth among all network shows in median income for the 18-49 demo. The show also has a high-brow image, something NBC hopes to continue to cultivate.