The Wire is a series that many critics call the greatest in television history. However, its path to success was full of difficulties. After each season, the project was under threat of cancellation. Why?
Low ratings, high stakes
Despite critical acclaim, The Wire never attracted high ratings. Its audience was small, which made the series less attractive to HBO from a commercial point of view. Filming in Baltimore, complex scenes and a large cast made production expensive. This created additional risks for the network.
Creative freedom
Creator David Simon and his team refused to compromise for the sake of ratings. They insisted on artistic integrity, which sometimes caused discontent among the management. Despite low ratings, The Wire received rave reviews from critics and gradually gained a cult status. This pressure from the media and fans helped to renew the series each time. Only thanks to the persistence of the creators, The Wire got five seasons and ended as planned. The series proved that real value is sometimes more important than commercial success.
