The HBO series 'Winning Time' has ended abruptly after season 2. The recent statement confirmed the decision to conclude the show based on the La Lakers triumph in the 1980s was made because of various reasons.
In the past, the show has always been in the news because of controversies and former players' views on it. Now, HBO has put an end to it.
It was co-created by Godzilla writer Max Borenstein, and episodes were directed by such acclaimed filmmakers as Adam McKay of The Big Short and Trey Edward Shults of Waves.
This show was based on the non-fiction book Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the LA Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s by Jeff Pearlman. The show came up with more dramatization which was always a big criticism point from viewers and even former players.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson, the two most famous Lakers of that era, have both openly criticized the series makers for inaccuracies and even called it pointless. The main criticism was that the Lakers themselves weren't involved.
Low viewership ratings led to the end
In regards to HBO's abrupt decision to end the series abruptly, there were many rumours circulating. Some attributed the sudden conclusion to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA and WAG strikes, which have caused HBO's shows like A League of Their Own and How I Met Your Father to be cancelled.
In spite of HBO's denial of these claims, it has now been revealed that Winning Time was abruptly ended because of poor viewership ratings.
Despite an overwhelming reception in the first episodes, the basketball series lost its charm after a series of controversies involving former players and inaccuracies caused by overdramatization.
During the first season's debut in March 2022, the show recorded 901,000 viewers, but in its second season in August, the numbers fell to 629,000. This and other reasons led to the show's termination.
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