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?
Image courtesy CBS.
I’m going to quit watching CBS all together. I was enjoying Harper’s Island and without notice CBS changed from Thursday to Saturday. It’s now the 2nd Saturday and no Harper’s Island!!
CBS pulled this same stunt with a pirate show series.
I don’t trust CBS programming – why bother watching their channel when you can’t rely on seeing a complete series!
If CBS does not allow fans of this show to see the final episodes whether it be on TV or online, mayber fans should take a stance against CBS. I am a dedicated viewer of the show and would think twice about watching ANY CBS show again if Harper’s Island is cancelled mid-stream. Fans know there is only one season. Have a Saturday night or Memorial Day marathon and show us all the shows. At least put them online on the HI website. I think CBS would be affected, at least slightly, if all Harper’s Island fans suddenly stopped watching… Read more »
Finish what you started. If you don’t, you’ll loose faith in the people wanting to watch show series you start…like Jerico?!
I don’t think CBS is being greedy, the last time I checked the networks were all losing money, and it is the “ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS”, in these economic times I can see a network pulling a program, besides I wouldn’t be surprised if Hulu.com wouldn’t air all the episode on their site in the future they’ve been airing full episodes of series that didn’t have all their episodes aired in their first run.
You can always wait for itunes or the dvd.
I really like this show. Why in the world does CBS get people all hiped up in advance about a series and then won’t show all of the series. Sometimes you can only please some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the times. So CBS don’t be so greedy all of the time and cancel things just becase it didn’t meet the amount of people you wanted watching it. At least give those the ones the satisfaction of being able to see how it ends. Think about it it was CBS that… Read more »
please dont cancel the show. we just started to enjoy harpers islandGive it a chance
We heard about it from family members and started to watch and was hooked. Word of mouth cbs. Let the show catch on.. please please please
What is wrong with CBS. My family and I enjoy this series. You finally get something that keeps our attention and you cancel it. Let the series continue. Give it a chance.
I am so upset that cbs cancelled this show. It is not set to air this Saturday. I checked my DVR and its not scheduled at all anymore. I want the show to continue. I really want to find out who the killer is.
Please don’t cancel this show, its the only show on this network I like to watch.
Hopefully enough of us voice our opinion to keep it from being cancelled!
Love this show, keep it on. You guys never give these shows time to build an audience.
For criminie’s sake!
Can’t a network finish what they start any more?
Let Harper’s Island run it’s full 13 weeks.
Some of us DO watch it ya know!!!
sheesh!
I love the show! Hope they air the whole 13 episodes. I read a review of ‘And there were none’ by Agatha Christie, so am all eager to see who does the killings.. though i have a theory.. theres not one specific killer…
I also love the show my friends and I discuss it every week trying to figure out who the murderer is and I love Richard Burghi
I love the show. I TiVo the Harper’s Island weekly; simply because there are a few shows I’ve watched for years; but I am JUST AS FOND OF HARPER’S ISLAND!!!! I just watched the last show; and I searched for the finale and it is not listed! CBS SHOULD LET THE FANS FINISH THIS SHOW!!! PLEAZZZZZZZZZZZZ!
My family absolutely love Harper’s Island. We weren’t happy to see it moved to Saturdays but have made sure to be home to watch the next one to go. I would be very disappointed if it was to be canceled.Hang in there it is half way there.