Are you missing Flashpoint on CBS? Can’t wait for it to return to primetime? Well, we have some good news and bad news.
On the downside, season four of Flashpoint averaged a 1.1 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 6.25 million viewers on CBS. That made it the weakest original programming on the network. It won’t be back.
On the positive side of things, the ION cable channel has licensed the first four seasons of Flashpoint and is ready to start airing them. That’s 62 episodes, including 11 installments that CBS didn’t purchase the rights to run. They begin airing on Tuesday, October 18th.
What’s more, ION acquired the rights to air all of the existing episodes of Flashpoint from CBS Television Distribution — as well as any future episodes. Flashpoint is produced in Canada for the CTV network and they’ve already ordered a fifth season of 18 installments. If ION finds rating success with the 62 they’ve already licensed, they have the exclusive option to purchase the new episodes as well.
Here’s the press release from ION:
ION TELEVISION PREMIERES HIT POLICE DRAMA “FLASHPOINT” WITH ORIGINAL EPISODES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18 AT 10PM ET/PT
NEW YORK, September 12, 2011- ION Television premieres its newly acquired hit police drama “Flashpoint” on Tuesday, October 18 at 10pm ET/PT with new original episodes. ION Television, the new home for the award-winning series, will schedule “Flashpoint” in a two-hour block on Tuesdays from 10pm-12am ET/PT and again on Saturdays from 9-11pm ET/PT.
To support the series launch, ION Television will unveil an integrated marketing campaign, including television, print, out-of-home & digital advertising. As part of the campaign for the first-time ever, ION will feature a Quick Response code on all printed marketing elements, which will provide fans access to exclusive cast interviews, a never-before-seen sneak peek from the premiere episode and entry into the ‘Flashpoint Alert’ contest, starting September 26th. The online contest provides fans a chance to win weekly cash prizes by scheduling the premiere episode onto their digital calendars and their social media platforms.
ION Television, a top-10 network, acquired the rights to all existing episodes and future production of “Flashpoint” from CBS Television Distribution earlier this year. The production of the season’s upcoming episodes marked ION Television’s first venture into originals planned by the network in the coming year.
“Flashpoint” joins ION Television’s primetime line-up of hit off-network series such as “Psych,” Monk,” “Criminal Minds,” and “Without a Trace,” and its blockbuster theatricals, which have driven record ratings for the network. The new series joins the schedule on the heels of ION’s recent acquisition of the hit series “Leverage” and “House,” both set to launch on ION in 2012.
Starring Hugh Dillon (Durham County), Enrico Colantoni (Veronica Mars), Amy Jo Johnson (Felicity) and David Paetkau (Whistler), “Flashpoint” is the nail-biting cop drama and an emotional journey into the tough, risk-filled lives of a group of police in the Strategic Response Unit (inspired by Toronto’s Emergency Task Force). Members of a highly-skilled tactical team, they are trained in negotiating, profiling and getting inside the subject’s head to understand the emotional breaking point (the “flashpoint”) that triggered the crisis.
“Flashpoint” is produced by Pink Sky Entertainment and Avamar Entertainment in association with CTV and CBS. Executive producers are Anne Marie La Traverse and Bill Mustos. Creators are Mark Ellis and Stephanie Morgenstern. David Frazee is Series Consultant.
Source: Top 10 Rank; Nielsen Media Research, Live+SD, 9/27/2010-8/28/2011, M-Sun 7P-12A, A25-54 (000). Excludes kids, news, and sports nets.
About ION Television
ION Television is a leading U.S. general entertainment network, combining high-quality programming and dependable broadcast distribution with an attitude of innovation and growth normally associated with a cable channel. Its “Positively Entertaining” network brand positioning features a formula of proven series, an expansive catalog of blockbuster movies and a commitment to introduce new original programming. Since its recent launch in 2008, ION’s reach has grown to 99 million households and has become one of the top-15 TV rated U.S. networks in record time. For more information, visit www.iontelevision.com.
What do you think? Will you be watching Flashpoint on ION? Are you excited about the new episodes?
Image courtesy CTV.
Thank you ION for airing Flashpoint episodes and committing to purchase other new episodes of the new season. Flashpoint is an awesome show and much better than anything else on regular tv during the summer! Thank Goodness for cable channels.
GREAT…MY FAVORITE SHOW IS BACK BUT ON ION (WHICH I DO NOT GET!)
I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED.
i love to watch flashpoint,the actors are great the show is great so glad ion has flashpoint on god bless ya”ll smile JESUS loves you!!!
I love Flashpoint and so glad ION decided to air it. It is one of my favorite shows and was very disappointed when CBS cancelled it. I hope ION decides to keep it on. It is one of the best shows I have ever watched. Thanks ION.
I usually don’t watch tv, but Flashpoint has me glued to the screen day after day!!! My husband got me hooked on it and now we all watch it as a family (with our kids) I CANNOT wait for new episodes. thank you ION television <3
I am delighted that ION is airing Flashpoint. I really enjoy watching it. Thank you ION
I like flashpoint. Glad someone had the sense to pick it up. I will certainly go to ION and look for it. Maybe ION should pick-up more of the shows that TV network cancel.
Flashpoint is one of the beat police dramas created. My Mom, sister and myself were advid watchers. The drama, suspense, and storylines are phenominal. I hope Ion stays with this series and to hell to CBS!!!
I love Flashpoint. I am glad Ion had the sense to pick it up and I am glad I can watch it anytime on Netflix.
Love this show!! Glad ION picked it up after CBS was too stupid to keep it on. If they had done better advertising for it, it may have gotten stronger ratings. Great show.
Will certainly watch this show now that I know where it is. It is one of the best shows on tv. I have heard so many people say how much they like this show. Glad to hear someone was smart enough to pick it up for those of us in the USA.
Thank you ION! Seems like everytime I enjoy a really good show, it gets canceled. Flashpoint’s actors are extremely talented. It’s writers continue to write characters and their lines that are completely human! Please DO NOT allow this show to cancel! I would rather watch ION, than our local stations….Flashpoint, Criminal Minds, Without a Trace…Nice Job!
Thrilled it will be back. Fabulous writing and great team dynamics. My favourite show!
Have Dish. How do I find ion?? Love Flashpoint!! Will definitely try to watch it if I can find it.
delighted to hear ION is picking up Flashpoint — how do I get the ION channel or will it be on CTV???
Carol Elliott » itll be on CTV.