TV Lifespans: Beyond possible Arrow season 7, how much more life is there?

As we start to look towards Arrow season 7, there are some important questions worth asking. Take, for example, this: Could we be getting near the end of the road for the CW series before too long? This is a worthy question to ponder, and there are a wide array of different reasons for that at the moment.

Let’s start things off here by stating what we know: Arrow is the original series entry within the CW superhero universe and when you consider its widespread success, you do have to consider that at some point, it will eventually come to a close. This is not the same sort of show as Supernatural, where there is this procedural component and the entire series can divert in whatever direction it so chooses. Arrow is based on source material and, beyond that, shows like Supernatural only tend to stick around once in a blue moon. Most shows just don’t last that long and the ratings for Arrow, while good, are not what they once were.

So when could there start to be discussions about the end of the series? We would argue that at least around the next year or so, there should be talk around how the story should end … or at least the part of it that we get to see as a viewer of the series. With the timeline that has been established in the future it obviously seems as though the work of the Green Arrow is never quite done; yet, we could eventually get far enough along in the run where there’s no longer to see him with regularity. The character could appear or be referenced on The Flash or Legends of Tomorrow while the rest of the cast could make a few assorted appearances on other shows.

It would be irresponsible for the network and the producers to not have these discussions, largely because nobody wants to see what we refer to as a worst-case scenario: Arrow ends, but there’s no plan as to how it will end. Therefore, it ends up being a disappointment.

Personally, we don’t foresee season 7 being the final one for the series. It’s certainly possible that it could last another year or two after that, or maybe even longer if the right moves are made in the story and the audience stays strong. Unfortunately, it may just need a little more creative stability to make that happen: Three out of the last four Arrow seasons have not been great, with season 5 serving as the exception. This season has some promise but the lack of a unifying villain, plus also the frustrating team battle, leave something to be desired.

Related – Find out when Arrow is returning to The CW

What do you think: Does Arrow have a significant lifespan on the other side of season 7? Be sure to share right now in the attached comments!

Also, be sure to like CarterMatt on Facebook in the event you want to get some more updates right now when it comes to Arrow. (Photo: The CW.)