You may recall that NBC started airing a Canadian series called The Listener during the summer of 2009. It didn’t perform well so the network cancelled the show but it continued to perform well and be renewed in Canada. It was later picked up by the ION cable channel here in the states.
CTV has now decided to end the show after five seasons and 65 episodes. The series finale of The Listener will air on CTV on August 18th. No word on when ION will air the last episode.
Here’s the press release:
CTV Congratulates THE LISTENER on Five Incredible Seasons as Series Finale Confirmed to Air August 18
TORONTO, Aug. 6, 2014 /CNW/ – CTV announced today that after five seasons and 65 episodes, the hit original drama THE LISTENER will conclude on CTV on Monday, Aug. 18 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Produced by Shaftesbury in association with CTV and Fox International Channels, THE LISTENER premiered in June of 2009 on CTV.
“Thank you to Shaftesbury for delivering five straight seasons of this much loved series, and to the cast and crew for bringing its captivating stories to life,” said Phil King, President – CTV, Sports, and Entertainment Programming. “THE LISTENER provided a wonderful narrative arc over its 65 episodes, ending its run at the top of its game with a devoted following at home and around the world. It leaves a strong legacy of which we are immensely proud, and we look forward to working with Shaftesbury in the future.”
CTV is currently in development with Shaftesbury on OLD CITY HALL, a drama series based on the novels by Robert Rotenberg and set within the halls of criminal courts; and SMOKE AND MIRRORS, a drama about an illusionist returning home to Niagara Falls and using his extraordinary skills as a private detective.
“Thank you to CTV (Phil, Corrie, Mike, Trish, Tom and Rebecca) as well as our friends at Fox International Channels (Sharon and Andie) and Shine for taking this seven-year journey with us on THE LISTENER,” said Christina Jennings, Chairman and CEO, Shaftesbury. “From start to finish, CTV has been a wonderful broadcast partner. Not every series achieves 65 episodes, and we couldn’t have done it without our dedicated, hardworking family of cast — led by Craig Olejnik – and crew, most recently led by Peter Mohan — who are simply the best in the business. And, thanks of course to THE LISTENER fans – who grew over time.”
In the final episode, an epic story that has threaded its way through all five seasons comes to a gratifying conclusion as secrets from Toby’s (Craig Olejnik) past are finally brought to light. Also Michelle (Lauren Lee Smith), Toby, and Dev (Rainbow Sun Francks) find themselves in the extremely uncomfortable position of investigating their own boss. On clandestine orders from Judge Samuel Griffin (Bruce Gray) and Deputy Commissioner Earl Bamford (Brian Paul) of the IIB, the team must look into Becker’s (Anthony Lemke) dealings with Curtis Maynard (Noam Jenkins), a disgraced former cop with connections to drug dealing.
THE LISTENER was green-lit by CTV in December 2007 and premiered June 3, 2009 on SPACE and CTV. The series instantly became a hit, debuting at #1 in its 10 p.m. timeslot on CTV with an audience of 1.1 million viewers, and went on to average nearly one million viewers in Canada in its first season. In the years that followed, THE LISTENER continued to connect with audiences, averaging 1.1 million viewers. THE LISTENER has been licensed in over 120 markets – including the U.S. (ION Television), U.K., Italy, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, Mexico, Japan, Korea, Poland, Brazil and Turkey – and is seen in 33 languages worldwide.
THE LISTENER Season 5 airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CTV and CTV GO, with the series finale broadcast on Monday, Aug. 18. Viewers can catch encore episodes Saturdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, Sundays at 7 p.m. ET/PT on CTV Two (visit CTV.ca for local broadcast times), and Fridays at 10 p.m. ET on Bravo (visit bravo.ca for local broadcast times). The day after each episode of THE LISTENER airs on CTV, viewers can watch the full episode on CTV.ca and the CTV GO app.
The cast of THE LISTENER includes Craig Olejnik as telepathic crime-solver Toby Logan; Lauren Lee Smith as Integrated Investigative Bureau (IIB) Sergeant Michelle McCluskey; Ennis Esmer as Toby’s best friend, Oz Bey; Rainbow Sun Francks as IIB security and technical expert Corporal Dev Clark; Kris Holden-Ried as Adam Reynolds, Michelle’s reformed gambler husband; Melanie Scrofano as crime reporter Tia Tremblay, Toby’s girlfriend; Anthony Lemke as IIB Supervising Inspector Brian Becker; and Natalie Krill as forensics technician Alex Kendrick.
THE LISTENER is broadcast on CTV and Bravo in Canada, ION Television in the United States, Fox International Channels internationally, and distributed by Shine International. Produced by Shaftesbury in association with CTV and Fox International Channels, the series is executive produced by Christina Jennings, Scott Garvie, Craig Olejnik, and Peter Mohan (LOST GIRL, THE BRIDGE), who is also showrunner. Tina Grewal (HEARTLAND) is producer. Sharon Tal Yguado is executive producer for Fox International Channels. Tom Hastings and Rebecca DiPasquale are production executives for Bell Media. Trish Williams is Director, Independent Production, Bell Media and Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. Mike Cosentino is Senior Vice-President, Programming, CTV Networks, Bell Media. Phil King is President, President CTV Sports and Entertainment Programming. THE LISTENER is produced with the financial participation of The Canadian Film or Video Tax Credit and The Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit.
What do you think? Did you like The Listener? Are you sory that there won’t be a sixth seasoon?
Great show. I watch it on ION and would very much like to see it continue. At least provide Region 1 seasonal DVD’s. The only thing I have been able to find is Region 2 and that only for Season 1.
no way I wonted to now what the mother was running from
They cannot end it like that. I want to see what happens next.
So disappointed to find out this was the last season! I don’t understand the logic! A good show that seems to be gathering momentum…. Cancelled to be replaced by what exactly?? I only enjoy 2 shows during the summer season… Now I’m down to 1… No point in having cable anymore… I will be relying on other means for my television entertainment.
Yep, leave it 2 Canuks 2 f#$k up a series!?! They think they know how 2 put a series together & that it will be a hit that somebody will pick up & carry it 2 the top of Mount Olympus!?!
As a fellow Canuk, I apologize 2 all & I’m sorry ‘The Listener’ was another victim…..
ptt
Why is it that every time you get involved in a VERY good program (and Canadian at that), it gets cancelled. I’m sorry to hear that Toby and his crew will not be coming back…
Agreed.
It’s getting to the point where I’d like to tell the television industry that I’ve lost all faith in them. I won’t even start watching anything new… just when I start to get invested, boom… cancelled.
Shame. I like this show and am sad to see it go. I preferred Charlie to Michelle and Klein to Becker (but it looks like Becker might have been brought specifically for the final season…we’ll have to see how the finale plays out), but it’s always been fun to watch. Too bad. There are so many channels with so many crappy options. I am so sick of the non-reality-supposed-reality junk shows they throw at us. Scripted shows are so much better. Best of luck to all of the cast members. Maybe they can make a Sherlock type season (a few… Read more »
Mega sad this show is going away. With a storyline that should be cheesy, they played it off amazingly. There definitely should be a season 6 but for whatever reason there isn’t. At least they are concluding the story from the first season which is amazing and seems like the last episode is going to be one worth remembering. So at least we have that.
another show that people love going away? they should continue season 6 on another channel! show more from toby’s past which would bring more interest from viewers! don’t cancel again!!!
CTV is pulling a ‘Firefly’ here
Have watched this since 2009. CTV should be ashamed of scrubbing this show
Don’t blame CTV – I read that Craig Olejnik did an interview before season 5 where he said he was tired of the show and didn’t want to do any more.
Um hello you need to stop blameing on craig olejnik he might did a mistake and he only said one word that’s it it did hurt the tv series
I liked the first season a lot but I stopped watching it after the second episode of the second season it seemed like it went in a completely different direction and wasn’t any good anymore my opinion of course.
wow, I didn’t even know the show was still on. I liked it back in 2009. I wish I had known I would still be watching it.
Yes, I am sorry it will not be returning. I watch the show on Ion and they have started from the beginning,after showing him working with the police-not an EMT.
Guess I wasn’t listening well enough back in 2009. I didn’t know the show existed or what it was about.
it only aired here in the states for about 4-5 episodes? then it was cancelled and later picked up by Canada.i only found this out last year because I watch primewire.ag for current tv shows and past and found out it had been on for 4 seasons going into the 5th and again disappointed their cancelling it again!
I wait for syndication or hit the web. Watching new shows is nothing but disappointing. Crap is renewed and smart, scripted shows cancelled. NetFlix or AnazinPeime (in the US) are really the best way to go. Saves me from screaming at my tv…”What, ANOTHER reality show? Shoot me.”