It's the "instant ratings" problem. In years passed they needed a few months to see what ratings were. Now they know the next day, for every episode. That means they can cut them fast.
The other problem is more for the basic cable networks, and that's the "order and film them then air them a LOT later" syndrome. Network TV tends to work on "as needed" cycle (like Firefly) so you get maybe 3-4 eps made after the cancellation order is given. This means you tend not to get a finale, but also that seasons get cut short.
Then you have Caprica and SGU where the shows are done filming, then they start to air, and they may decide to cancel the series and there's no chance of having any closure.



The Jedi Master

Good riddance to V and The Event. Let's hope Falling Skies is good.

It's TNT. I have little hope for its success, regardless of how good it is.

TNT--we don't know our asses from our program directors.



The Jedi Master

There's another new sci fi show coming out besides Falling Skies, but I forgot what it's called.

Tera Nova

Cool, Stephen Lang is in it. He's one of my favorite actors.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1641349/

Isn't that about dinosaurs. That's not really scifi, in my book at least.

I'd say it's based on sci-fi concepts:

"Centers on the Shannons, an ordinary family from 2149 when the planet is dying who are transported back 85 million years to prehistoric Earth where they join Terra Nova, a colony of humans with a second chance to build a civilization."

It's the time travel that makes it sci-fi.

I can't think of one way to put humans and dinosaurs together that isn't SF in some way.
Fantasy uses dragons and unicorns and mythical beasts, not dinos.



The Jedi Master