Some Castle fans are still wondering what went into ABC's decision to cancel the popular procedural, but they can wonder no more.

ABC entertainment president Channing Dungey spoke with reporters Tuesday about why the decision was made to cancel both Castle and the four-season show Nashville this past week.

"The studios in each case were looking for the best financial and creative ways to help their shows get another season, making plans should they get orders," Dungey explained.

Meanwhile, she said, "on the network side we were thinking what the best fit on the schedule is and looking at the new development. A lot of the decisions came down to the wire. At the end of the day - even though both Castle and Nashville have been wonderful shows and great performers - we felt that the future for us didn't necessarily lie in these shows."

Left unsaid in this statement was the negative buzz ABC Studios received after announcing they were moving forward without Stana Katic (who plays Beckett). This upset a great number of fans, and even as many of the show's stars - like Nathan Fillion (who plays Castle) - began signing on for season 9, many internet comment sections were flooded with claims from fans that they would never watch the show again.

Castle has been a solid-to-strong performer for ABC since its inception in 2009. The show won many People's Choice Awards, including multiple trophies for Fillion and Katic, throughout its run.

Co-showrunners Alexi Hawley and Terence Paul Winter penned a letter to fans after Monday night's series finale, thanking fans for their devotion.

"None of it would have been possible without you - our loyal and passionate fans. You are the reason this show survived and thrived," they wrote. "Without you carving out 'Castle Mondays' every week, we would never have been able to make the show we love for as long as we did. So thank you. And thanks to Andrew Marlowe for creating such a delightful world, centered around a love story for the ages. It was an honor and privilege to shepherd the story of Castle and Beckett this season. And finally, thank you to our cast and crew, who have been our family for these last eight years. Who elevated every script by investing the best of themselves into each episode. We will miss you profoundly."

For those who will miss the show (or already do), ABC is releasing the DVD box set for season 8 on Aug. 23. The previous seven seasons are also available for home video.

Tags: Castle television ABC