They are wrapping on schedule and all of the episodes will be shown. But this is the end for Smash.
This has been the bitterest of disappoints for NBC, but the ratings are worse than anyone at the network could have imagined. Even with the average show at NBC garnering a pathetic 1.2/1.1 rating share, Smash can't even muster that.
I don't know if this article from The New York Times has been linked on this thread yet, but it's a quick glance at the current state of things at NBC.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/25/business/media/nbcs-ratings-plummet-from-first-to-worst.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 "It is also likely to be costly. NBC executives previously acknowledged that their entertainment operation has been losing hundreds of millions a year. The financial picture is exacerbated by the dearth of popular shows NBC owns that it can sell in syndication, an area that generates hundreds of millions in profits for competitors, especially CBS.
Advertising executives note that ratings this month on many shows are so low they may force NBC to offer a spate of what are known as make-goods — free commercials to cover shortfalls from rating guarantees."
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!