CBS has announced that they’re pulling Harper’s Island series from its high-profile, post-CSI timeslot and sending it to a primetime deathslot. However, the network contends that the move doesn’t diminish their faith in the series.
Harper’s Island revolves around a group of family and friends who come together for a wedding on a secluded island. Before the nuptials can commence the wedding guests are slain, one by one, by a mysterious killer. The show’s ensemble cast includes Elaine Cassidy, Christopher Gorham, Katie Cassidy, Cameron Richardson, Adam Campbell, Richard Burgi, Jim Beaver, C.J. Thomason, Victor Webster, Jay Brazeau, Dean Chekvala, Matt Barr, and Harry Hamlin.
The premiere of Harper’s aired on April 9th, opposite NBC’s new Southland series. The show won the timeslot in total viewership (10.49 million) but was second in the 18-49 demographic with a 2.7/8 rating/share. However, when you look a little closer, those numbers aren’t as positive as one might think. Harper’s lost over a third of its CSI lead-in audience and almost as much in the coveted demo. On top of that, about 10% of Harper’s audience tuned out midway through the premiere episode.
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The second week, Harper’s dropped to an average of 8.17 million viewers and a 2.2/6 rating/share. Last Thursday’s installment fell once again to an audience of 7.45 million and a 2.0/6 in the demo. With this steady decline and consistent loss of the CSI lead-in, it certainly didn’t look like Harper’s was long for this world.
It’s no shocker that CBS has sent the 13-episode series to Saturday nights at 9pm beginning this week. Repeats of Criminal Minds will fill the timeslot for the immediate future.
But CBS has put a positive spin on the decision, based on the DVR and online viewership numbers. Kelly Kahl, the network’s Senior Executive VP of Prime Time, says, “The preliminary DVR and online streaming data suggest a passionate audience for Harper’s outside its current Thursday time period borders. This move gives us an opportunity to improve the time period on Thursday while experimenting with more original programming on Saturday, and continuing to serve an audience that is clearly engaged in the ongoing Harper’s Island story.”
Though this season of 13 episodes was always intended to conclude the mystery, the network was hoping to bring the show back for a second season, with a different cast and mystery. Though this move doesn’t completely close the door on that possibility, it’s highly unlikely. After all, when was the last time a show that was exiled to Saturday nights ended up returning for another season?
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Image courtesy CBS.
I loved that show and hope there is a second season I want to know what happens when they get back to the main land and tell who was helping John Wakefield
i know this is old but i actually like that show harpers island and i think they should have not stopped it but i understand things like that happen i remeber i was all set to watch it and it was not on anymore
I LOVED Harper’s Island! I am so upset that they didnt finish the last 2 episodes and they didnt bring it back. I watched every episode and I am happy to see that they are re running them on the Chiller channel. I have DVR’d all of the episodes and hope that they will play the final 2 at the end. I want to see a 2nd season!
I want harpers island back on NOW i loved that show i was a dedicated watcher and they should worry about the people watching the shows not the ones who dont now to that i will NEVER watch CBS again!!!!!!!!!!
PUT HARPERS ISLAND BACK ON NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Okay I’m so pissed off they to cancel one of the best TV shows. I mean come on the final just left it ask a total cliff hanger i dont get why they would do that.. They did it to Surface too