Even though FOX was leery of continuing 9-1-1, the executives did realize the popularity of the show. Two years into 9-1-1’s run, a spin-off series named 9-1-1: Lone Star debuted on FOX. Starring Rob Lowe, the series built off the flagship’s premise with first responders who are more family than co-workers (but this time it was set in Texas, rather than California). The synergy of the two shows airing on the same network seemed to work well, until 9-1-1 made that jump to ABC.
The two shows were then separated, which made for a confusing viewer experience. It was difficult to remember which show aired on which network, and this is, in part, what led to an early demise of the Lone Star spin-off after just five seasons. The drama’s cancellation was announced last year, with its final episodes airing in February 2025. There were some rumblings of cast disputes over pay, but the ratings had also diminished by the time the final season was set to air. Without the original show airing on the same network, it didn’t make a lot of sense to keep Lone Star on FOX.
FOX had another first responder in its line-up that it thought would help take over for 9-1-1. Rescue HI-Surf premiered last fall, and it is in the same vein as the other first responder procedurals of its kind, except this time, it is set in Hawaii. Instead of bulky fire gear, everyone is donned in bathing suits to take on emergencies. However, many reviewers cited the show as leaning too heavily on melodrama, and the series was eventually canceled a few weeks ago after airing just one season. The series was also an expensive one to make at an estimated $4 million an episode (partly due to filming on location in Hawaii), and the ratings were pretty abysmal. While four million people tuned into the premiere, by the end of the season, there was a 75% drop in viewership. This just proved that Rescue HI-Surf was nowhere close to being a surefire replacement for 9-1-1.
Remember the moment FOX announced that ‘9-1-1’ would be moving to ABC? Yeah, jaws hit the floor. The hit drama had become a weekly ritual for millions, and suddenly, it was gone—well, from FOX at least. In its place? Two new first-responder procedurals aimed at capturing that same magic. But did they succeed or stumble under the pressure?
Grab your gear—we’re diving deep into FOX’s risky replacement strategy and whether it backfired big time.
The Legacy of ‘9-1-1’ on FOX
A Show That Set the Standard
Let’s be real: ‘9-1-1’ wasn’t just another procedural. It was the procedural. It brought emotion, chaos, realism, and a stellar cast to the screen in a way that felt like a live wire every episode. FOX had a hit—and audiences knew it.
Why ‘9-1-1’ Moved to ABC
It wasn’t ratings. It wasn’t fan backlash. The reason came down to dollars and distribution. Produced by 20th Television (owned by Disney), ‘9-1-1’ found a new home under its parent’s wing—ABC. It was less about creative direction and more about corporate chess.
The New Kids on the Block – FOX’s Procedural Replacements
Show #1 – ‘Alert: Missing Persons Unit’
The Premise
Centered around a dedicated unit in Philadelphia that solves missing persons cases, ‘Alert’ tried blending the procedural grind with family drama. It aimed for edge-of-your-seat tension—but often felt like a lukewarm reboot of better crime shows.
H3: The Cast & Chemistry
Let’s just say… it wasn’t ‘9-1-1.’ The actors did their best, but the emotional stakes never quite landed. The dialogue? A little too on-the-nose. The pacing? A bit uneven.
Show #2 – ‘Accused’
A Legal Procedural With a Twist
Unlike your typical courtroom drama, ‘Accused’ explored how ordinary people landed in extraordinary legal trouble. Each episode was a standalone tale, almost Black Mirror-esque, but with courtrooms instead of tech horrors.
Why It Wasn’t Enough
The show had its moments, sure. But FOX banking on ‘Accused’ to satisfy ‘9-1-1’ fans? That’s like swapping hot wings for kale chips. One doesn’t quite hit the craving like the other.
The Ratings Fallout
A Drop Too Steep to Ignore
The numbers don’t lie. While ‘9-1-1’ averaged millions per episode, neither ‘Alert’ nor ‘Accused’ managed to keep up. Viewers tuned in… and tuned right back out. The excitement just wasn’t there.
Social Media Sentiment – Fans React
Twitter was ablaze. From “Where’s Buck?” to “Bring back Chimney and Maddie,” fans weren’t having it. Memes, threads, and hashtags roasted FOX’s decision like a three-alarm fire.
Why Replacing ‘9-1-1’ Was Always a Long Shot
Lightning in a Bottle Is Hard to Catch Twice
‘9-1-1’ balanced heart-pounding emergencies with deeply human stories. That’s a rare combo. Shows like ‘Alert’ and ‘Accused’ tried, but couldn’t replicate the emotional core that made ‘9-1-1’ binge-worthy.
