HBO is scratching “Vinyl” from its lineup.
The cable outlet said Wednesday that it will not go forward with a second season of the 1970s music-industry drama, adding, “This was not an easy decision.”
“After careful consideration, we have decided not to proceed with a second season of ‘Vinyl,’” HBO said. “Obviously, this was not an easy decision. We have enormous respect for the creative team and cast for their hard work and passion on this project.”
The decision is an about-face for HBO, which renewed the series for a second season in February, after just one episode of the series had aired.
However, the show has experienced some tumult, with showrunner Terence Winter exiting the series in April, and a modest ratings start. The premiere episode of “Vinyl” drew just 764,000 viewers in live-plus-same day ratings.
Created by Mick Jagger, Martin Scorsese, Rich Cohen and Winter, “Vinyl” is a trip through the sex-and drug-filled music business of the early 1970s at the dawn of punk, disco and hip-hop.
Starring Bobby Cannavale as Richie Finestra, a record-label president trying to save his company and his soul without destroying everyone in his path, the first season of “Vinyl” also starred Olivia Wilde, Ray Romano, Ato Essandoh, Max Casella, P.J. Byrne, J.C. MacKenzie, Birgitte Hjort Sørensen, Juno Temple, Jack Quaid, James Jagger and Paul Ben-Victor.