NBC Cancels Freshman Comedy ‘Champions’

NBC, not surprisingly, has announced the official cancellation of freshman comedy “Champions.” At the time of its upfront presentation in mid-May, the network had said it was undecided on the futures of “Champions” and sophomore time-traveling drama “Timeless.” Both have now been axed.

Debuting on March 8, 2018, “Champions” told the story of Vince (Anders Holm), a charismatic gym owner, living every bachelor’s dream with his younger brother Matthew (Andy Favreau) in Brooklyn, New York. He lives a simple life, dates an endless string of women, until his high school fling Priya (Mindy Kaling) drops off their 15-year-old son Michael (J.J. Totah) .

Sources say the SVOD partner, Netflix, passed on picking up the family comedy for a second season, but will continue to carry the show internationally after its June 12 streaming debut. Producers Universal Television, where Kaling is under an overall deal, are said to be in discussions to find a new home for “Champions.” It’s unclear if Hulu, which rescued Kaling’s “The Mindy Project,” has in-season stacking rights to the comedy starring Anders Holm, is among the destinations being discussed for the series.