Even Martha would agree that this latest news isn’t “a good thing.” The Martha Stewart Show has been cancelled after seven seasons on the air.
Hallmark Channel has opted not to renew the daytime show due to high production costs and low ratings. Martha averages only about 225,000 viewers.
On the positive side, The Martha Stewart Show will remain in production and new episodes will continue through April. Stewart and her staff are planning a lavish series finale which will air in May. Reruns will continue to air for the remainder of the season, through the summer months.
Distributed by NBC Universal Domestic Television, The Martha Stewart Show debuted in first-run syndication on September 11, 2005. The series moved to Hallmark in the fall of 2010 as part of an overall deal that included a commitment from Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSLO) to produce original new series and specials to compliment Martha and the rest of the cable channel’s lineup.
Hallmark initially scheduled an eight-hour block of Stewart programming but the ratings were poor so it was quickly scaled back to five hours.
The cancellation news was first reported by the NY Post. In response, MSLO’s Lisa Gersh told employees via email that the company will continue to do business with Hallmark, “we are currently exploring programming concepts for Martha Stewart and other MSLO brands beyond this fall.”
At December’s UBS investor conference, Gersh said, “Our expensive studio lease is expiring next year, and we will either bring television in-house or find lower cost space, which will significantly reduce our TV operating margins.”
The fate of Hallmark’s other MSLO-produced shows is still up in the air — including Emeril’s Table, hosted by Emeril Lagasse.
What do you think? Are you sorry that Stewart’s show has been cancelled? Did you follow it to Hallmark?
Not a good thing for Martha.
I am glad that it has been cancelled although I wouldn’t mind if it was just scaled back. I feel that there are too many cooking shows on TV now and could never figure out why Hallmark wanted to air these types of shows. Also, when they decided to block off most of the day for her shows, it just became ridiculous. Hallmark should stick to the older format of wholesome movies and feel-good classic TV shows that have a large following. I agree with JoAnn on how Martha did seem to act superior over some of her guests, a… Read more »
Her show is so informative and helpful. If she doesn’t want to do the show any longer that is one thing but if she wants to I think that you should let her have her show. Lots of people like her show.
I am so disappointed that Martha has been cancelled. I’ve watched her forever. I did like her show better when it Martha did her own cooking and crafting. She’s always full of good info. and I always like her especially when she’s being her “can’t stand her” Martha self.
I was surprised when Martha Stewart’s Show joined the Hallmark Channel. This made it necessary to pay additional fees to Cablevision in order to view it. Maybe if her show was kept on it’s original channel the viewership would have stayed high. The show has many money saving tips but costs more for the viewer.
I am from Canada and I was in tears when Martha went to Hallmark and we in Canada could not see her show anymore. Like many of you have said I used to like the old Martha Stewart shows with the cooking, crafting. I learned so much.
I have watched Martha for years and Loved the format she started with. She was a great teacher. When she started her new show in the studio with guest stars, she became rude and interupeted all her guest, and always let them know that her’s was always better. With the economic climate of our country it’s hard to watch her push only the best and most expensive products out there, and tell us who she is wearing ie designer clothes and shoes. We were happy for her success, but please Martha we can’t keep up with your wealth. Please come… Read more »
I will not count MARTHA out. She is the most resilient person I know. I think, listening to the other comments, that having the show in her home, in her kitchen, is a great idea. Are you listening, Martha? I love you and always have. Through thick and thin. You are amazing. A blessing and a marvel. I hope you also take a moment to think about the future and not being so involved in everything. Time to downsize and enjoy that baby Jude…..well, even just a bit…would LOVE to see a MARTHA AT HOME….
I was a longtime fan who learned so much from Martha till the show went to Hallmark, which I cannot get where I live. Bring her back to her former network and I’ll watch again.
Sorry to see Martha’s show go. Whether you like her or you don’t, you could always learn something new from watching her show. I think she could have kept the show running if she had stayed in broadcast syndication. Maybe she can go over to the Food Network! So don’t count her out yet!
the show was practically cancelled when it went from syndication to hallmark
I have been a follower or the Martha Stewart Show and other formats since the early 80’s and wish that networks would come to the realization that not all the best audience can be gaged by numbers. We are here and discriminate greatly in the quality of the shows we like to watch. Maybe they show quit changing venues so often and leave something alone for while and let the audience they are gauging mature. Reality shows are plentiful but it doesn’t take much to product a bored audience. I like useful programming and ratings or not I feel stations… Read more »
I am devastated er that the show would be cancelled. I am a long time lover of her show no matter where she is located. NBC was a better location and loved to watch it daily. This is a sad day that I hear this.
I agree, return Martha to her old format of teaching, cooking, and creating.m I never liked the new format of the show, I turn to Martha for education not celebrity gossip!
I think she should do her edited shows from her new home.
Very bummed that the show has been canceled. I did follow it to Hallmark, but was dissapointed that it wasn’t broadcast in HD. The shows were grainy and I totally disliked the low-grade/quality of commercials. I agree with others that I’d prefer the shows that were filmed at her home or in her kitchen and don’t neeed Hollywood guest stars. I learn so much from Martha. My grown kids and friends all call me “Martha” because I do so many things that she does if not more. There’s alway more to learn. I hope she’ll be on TV for many… Read more »