roswell5

It was announced early in April that the US Television Network UPN were cancelling the teen sci-fi drama Roswell. This was a huge blow to Roswellians the world over as the annoucement was public and official; no amount of tabasco bottles or snapple lids were going to save the show this time. Despite the dedicated and vocal fan following that Roswell has, it's never been able to live up to the show it is often partnered with; Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Which isn't really surprising seeing as Buffy is a cult classic aimed at a much larger audience.

But British fans received another devestating blow just two weeks later. The BBC announced that they will not be purchasing Roswell's third and final season. Our campaigns (at http://www.saveroswelluk.homestead.com) have been no use - we're just not loud enough for them. The BBC make British residents pay a TV license in return for no adverts and a quality service. They have been increasing the amount of shows they hold the rights to that are aimed at teenagers and young adults. Yet they drop Roswell, claiming the money is too much for the low ratings. What really did they expect if they showed no trailers for upcoming episodes (not many people even knew season two was starting)? And then they messed about with the schedule because of sports before demoting it to a Sunday lunchtime slot. Which is a long way from the peak-slot that Roswell deserves. And that slot wasn't even regular - many fans who were not quite obsessed enough to read lots of TV schedules to get an average start-time missed episodes because of this.

Weighing up the other terrestrial channels, Channel 5 seems like the best place for Roswell to be rehomed. ITV has no teen shows and therefore would not likely be interested in picking up the show. Channel 4 sometimes drop a show mid-run (like Angel) and also have a digital channel (E4) which they would most likely screen the series on - and we don't want that. Roswell Season Three is starting on Sky in June. The problem is that people with terrestrial-only television are in danger of missing out. Channel 5, however, has a good selection of teen shows such as Charmed and Popular - and it showed the mini-series Young Americans too. We have faith that if Channel 5 decided to pick up Roswell, they will treat the show with the respect it deserves (perhaps taking over the Charmed slot when the current series finishes).

This petition will be sent to channel 5 with signature updates to keep them informed of the Roswell fans and let them know that Roswell is well worth sharing the rights for with SkyOne. We don't mind waiting until autumn as we would have to with the BBC, so long as this great show comes back on our screens.

Roswell Season Three is our Destiny.
Roswell: We Still Believe.
If we're going to go out - we're going to go out Roswellian style.
There is a voice, and that voice will be heard.

SIGN THIS PETITION! SAVE ROSWELL UK!