Surface (originally titled Fathom) is a former science fiction television series that premiered on NBC on 19 September 2005. The program aired fifteen episodes (its full first season) until 6 February 2006 before going on hiatus due to the coverage of the 2006 Winter Olympics and awaiting word on whether it would be renewed for a second season. On May 15, 2006, NBC officially announced the series' cancellation, despite average ratings, leaving the outcome of the plot as a cliffhanger ending. It was originally intended to be a mini-series composed of fewer episodes, focusing on three people, but positive ratings led to it being extended, and including an additional central character. With the end of the season being called a "season finale", it left impressions that it would continue for at least one more season.

Broadcast history

During the show's initial airing, Surface was also broadcast in syndication on the Sci-Fi Channel in the United States, which still holds broadcast rights. In addition to U.S. network the programme was also broadcast in Canada on CH, as well as ITV2 in the UK, Network Ten in Australia, VT4 in Belgium, on La Sexta and Calle 13 in Spain and on Universal Channel in Mexico. During the summer of 2006, the series was broadcast on ProSieben in Germany, by Fox on Portuguese and Brazilian cable networks, in Israel on Yes network, and on Canal+ in most of Scandinavia. During the summer of 2008, the series was broadcast on Veronica in The Netherlands. The entire series was repeated in the U.K. on ITV1 between 23 July 2009 and 30 October 2009.