The Production Guide
Martin Landau archives
No third series

This is the announcement from producer Gerry Anderson to the full production that Space: 1999 would end, dated Tuesday 19th October 1976. Note that star Martin Landau had been told the day before, on Monday 18th October and had noted it on his script for Seance Spectre "Abe is mad - it's to his advantage that the last five shows are good- now everyone will drop the ball." Anderson's memo tries to motivate the crew "I know that you will all continue to give of your best".

The comment about 48 pictures being "a viable number for continued syndication" is qualified here ("it would appear"). It was generally believed that 70 to 100 episodes were a minimum. Syndicated shows in re-run were were shown in the same timeslot every week-day evening for 4 to 6 months, after which they could simply show them again. For Space: 1999, they would go through all 48 episodes in just over 2 months, and it would be too soon to re-run episodes again. The 79 episodes of Star Trek were on almost continuously since NBC cancelled the series in 1969; Space: 1999 did not have the episodes for airing like that.

The more credible reason is economic, noting the UK's economy and high interest rates. Inflation was 15% in 1976 (better than the 25% in 1975, but uncomfortably high). The more important measure was the 1976 sterling crisis, which saw the pound reach a record low against the dollar, effectively reducing the value of US sales. The Bank of England had withdrawn from foreign exchange markets, and had taken a $3.9 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in September 1976. For a UK company like ITC to sell Space: 1999 to the US, a currency crisis that had reached a peak in September 1976 undermined their business model.

The IMF bailout forced the government to raise interest rates and cut spending. These measures would trigger a "winter of discontent" in 1978, but by 1977 the country had higher growth, a falling budget deficit and an improving pound, and in the end only took half the IMF loan, repaying it in full by 1979. But this was all too late for Space: 1999

Tuesday 19th October 1976.

TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE "SPACE 1999" UNIT

I.T.C. have decided not to proceed with a third season of "SPACE 1999" for the time being. It would appear that 48 pictures is a viable number for continued syndication, taking into account the general state of this country's economy and the high interest rates that at present exist.

I feel that it is only fair to transmit this information to you immediately so that you can all plan your futures accordingly. It is of course in all our interests to ensure that the remaining pictures are completed to the highest possible standard and I know that you will all continue to give of your best.

Whilst I.T.C.'s decision is a disappointment, the enthusiasm and expertise of all concerned has produced a series which will long be remembered. Work is already in hand on other projects and it is my hope that our excellent team will be working together again in the not too distant future.

Fred Freiberger received the news one hour before taking off on a pre-arranged visit to Los Angeles and was most anxious that he should join with me in this message to you; he will be back at the helm next Monday.

Sincerely,

GERRY ANDERSON
Executive Producer.

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