Speaking at the Television Critics Association tour on January 8, Fox entertainment president Kevin Reilly was not optimistic about the prospects for a renewal for J.J. Abrams’s multiverse spanning drama Fringe.

“We lose a lot of money on the show,” he explained, after first thanking the fans who had followed the show to its new Friday night slot. “At that rating on that night it’s almost impossible for us to make money. We are not in the business of losing money, so we’re trying to figure out if there a number at which we can continue with the series. We haven’t even sat down with the producers yet.”

Speaking about medical drama House, also expected to end this season, Reilly said, “It will absolutely have a satisfying conclusion on Fox,” and it is hoped that Fringe will follow suit.

Updated: Reilly has clarified that he intends to give Fringe a proper ending. “I don’t want it to go out with a whimper,” he said. “We don’t want to fumble the ball at the five-yard line. If it ends up being the last show, we’ll end up doing it right.”