Hulu Boss on VERONICA MARS’ Surprise Early Drop, Not Picking Up More

There are no plans for VERONICA MARS to return for a fifth season—something creator Rob Thomas was actively pursuing—but Hulu boss Craig Erwich still considers its time on their platform to be a success.

“We were thrilled with the entire VERONICA MARS experience that we brought to our viewers,” Erwich, who is SVP of Scripted Originals for Hulu, told reporters during the streamer’s Television Critics Association panel. “It was a really unique set of content in terms of having past episodes and then a new season…We watched a lot of new people discover the show for the first time. People started with episode 1, season 1. And I think for fans of the show, who have been lifelong fans, the opportunity to check back in with VERONICA MARS and see where she is in her life was really exciting. It generated a lot of social conversation.”

“That collection, that kind of journey of VERONICA MARS in terms of the television episodes and in terms of her life as a character, exists on Hulu now and will exist for a long time,” he continued. “People are continuing to discover it, and right now, we think that’s a really satisfying, narrative experience for them.”

Erwich defended the company’s decision to release the entire season a week ahead of schedule (which was revealed during the show’s Comic-Con panel). “It’s a very crowded marketplace,” he said. “When it comes to scheduling or release patterns, we’re looking at what’s best for each show. And we felt that eventizing VERONICA MARS with that kind of good old-fashioned stunt was the best way to let people know that the show was back on the air. It did generate a tremendous amount of conversation, which is not surprising given the incredibly passionate, sizeable and loyal fan base that the show has.”

When pressed specifically about counter-programming it against Comic-Con, which meant that many fans attending were promptly spoiled that night by the controversial ending, Erwich looked toward the twist itself. “That ending was Rob Thomas’ decision,” he said. “He has been the creator and long-time steward of that franchise. I support the decision that he made. For me, we talk about the kind of volume of conversation a show brings, but the other thing that you’re looking for is the intensity of conversation. And I think the intensity of that reaction is actually a testament to how much people like the show.”

RELATED:

• VERONICA MARS: Jason Dohring on Logan’s Big Season
• Enrico Colantoni Hopes VERONICA MARS Will Return (Again)
• VERONICA MARS: Rob Thomas on Season 4’s Big Gambles
• VERONICA MARS Season 4 Finale: Let’s Talk About Those Big Moves
• VERONICA MARS: Hulu Drops Entire Season a Week Early
• VERONICA MARS: Enrico Colantoni Previews the Darker Hulu Revival
• VERONICA MARS at ATX: Live-Blog
• VERONICA MARS at PaleyFest 2014: The Cast Tease Where Their Characters Are and the Journey to Make the Movie

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