"Nashville" season 5 news: Several platforms, networks likely to pick up series; Lionsgate execs discuss the show's possible move

Things may be looking up for country music drama series "Nashville" as several networks and platforms are looking to pick up the show for more seasons. ABC suddenly pulled the rug out from underneath the show in mid-May, shocking fans who have been following the show's pathos and cheer since its debut in 2012. The cancellation left the show's producers scrambling to resolve the storylines of key characters.

The producers had edited the finale scene in such a way as to create a story where the fate of one central character, Juliette (Hayden Panettiere), was left hanging. Juliette had boarded a plane, but it went missing. This ending had been an attempt to net in the interest of other networks in the show, so it would have a better chance of being picked up.

Lionsgate executives are confident though after being in talks with other networks as well as different platforms interested in keeping the story alive. They have reported as few as four of the latter which have called in to ask about the possibilities of moving the show.

Kevin Beggs, head of TV at Lionsgate, told Variety, "The fans and everyone else is clamoring for many more seasons."

Beggs went on to say that they are currently taking it a season at a time, the short-term goal being to have a deal for season 5 really soon. And the long-term goal, Beggs said, would be "forever and ever."

"So right now, we're all about Season 5. So we hope to land Season 5 and keep talking about this show for years to come."

The cast are all on board for more seasons, having long-term contracts with the studio that were still in effect, Beggs shared with the media outlet. He also mentioned that the showrunners Ed Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz, who have been newly taken on, will also be a part of the deal and "suggests a long-term viability for the show."

In the meantime, the #BringBackNashville movement has been getting bigger as fans of the show work to save their favorite show through an online petition on Change.org to revive the show. As of Tuesday, May 31, the petition had won over 155,349 supporters.