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.
FLASHPOINT IS ONE OF THE BEST POLICE SHOWS THAT I HAVE EVER WATCHED. I HOPE THEY CHANGE THEIR MINDS AND MAKE NEW EPISODES AND PUT IN ON PRIME TIME TV. HERE’S HOPING, NANCY G,
I can’t believe they cancelled the best and by far the most original police action show on all networks, are you crazy CBS ?
Love the show, and particularly Amy Jo Johnson (Jules Callaham), with whom I’m totally enamored.
Thank goodness for ION television. They have been airing Flashpoint episodes in order from season 1 and I have been watching every single one of them. Only a few more episodes to air for season 4 and I will be anxiously waiting for season 5. ION channel has become a favorite to watch.
I watch every single episode new or old,even if I saw it 3 weeks ago. It’s a supurb show. Enrico is the best there is. he makes me feel safe. He makes me want to move to Canada. My husband had to leave the room because he couldn’t concentrate on work with the show on so we’ll have to watch it a second time when he’s done with office business. It’s the episode Wild Card. I just read you cancelled it-again. Are you crazy? Why should I watch your channel? For some old re-runs? Really. This character mix is exciting,the… Read more »
Very disappointed this series will not be extended.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME, CANCELING OR ENDING THE BEST POLICE DRAMA EVER WRITTEN AND I HAVE WATCHED THEM ALL. THEY HAD OUTSTANDING STORIES, ONES THAT DESCRIBE A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CRIME AND CRIMINAL THAT NOONE ELSE EVER DARED TO TELL. THE STORY SHOWED OF A BOND BETWEEN CONSTABLES THAT ONLY OTHERS IN THE SAME FIELD NEVER OBTAIN. THE BACK STORY WAS BELIEVABLE. LOVE T ALL THOSE INVOLVED IN THE MAKING OF FLASHPOINT, I HOPE THE SHOW CONTINUES. PLEASE RECONSIDER THE DECISION. YOUR FAN TERRI
Thank you ION television. Who needs CBS? they can have their lame comedies and dramas. I love this show and hope it keeps airing new episodes.
Love the show. BEST thing on TV. I watch all the reruns and still enjoy them.
Ahh, thank goodness for ION. In my house, our TV watching is almost exclusively with ION now anyway. And we love Flashpoint so much it’s embarrassing! We’re obsessed with it. Please keep it comin! –Barb
I love the show. Please keep them coming. I watch and rematch episodes over and over.
Thank you ION ! Woot-Woot !! I can’t wait! The cast performance is amazing. This show is just brilliant.
Love this show, think it is brilliant, edgy and so exciting. Watch every chance I get. Can not believe something of this incredible quality was cancelled on regular network but do and will watch on ION TV.
Love the show!!!!! Can’t wait!!
Thank you ION — We all enjoy watching it on ION and LetFlix —
We have almost seen ALL of 1-2-3-4 Hope season 5 will be here SOON !!!
Tom