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.
you cant be serious! this show is fabulous. cbs will be making a big mistake if they cancel this
I do not watch TV, but I love the Harper’s Island mystery. I can’t get enough. The cast is excellent. I have gone through the past episodes trying to figure the killer is? Sure would help if CBS had a clock on the events to help figure out whom the killer is? It reminds me of Agatha Christy’s “And then there were none.” That being the case killer is Boo, but might be Groom. Also the bride’s sister is a choice. Time on the screen would knock out Groom, since he was at a location as murder went down. CBS… Read more »
It’s summer!!! Just play all the episodes every night in a row until episodes are over!!!
PLEASE let us finish watching this serious! My boyfriend and I have netflik and we look forward to seeing it on thursdays(now Saturdays) after our busy work schedules. I just can’t fathom seeing a few episodes and then just wondering how it ends. ITS ONLY 13
episodes- really you cant just play them and call it good? They have aired what 4 out of 13, come on now make us all happy and play the rest of the series!!!
Harpers Island is such a great series it would be a shame if the entire series was not aired. All the advertisements to get people to watch the show and then your hooked! Now they want to take it off the air for cryin out loud its only 13 episodes!!!! Ugh
It would really suck if you don’t show the remaing episodes of Harper’s Island!! CBS is getting pretty famous for starting a show on one night and then changing it up or taking out of the mix all together. What’s the deal?
You know, my mom and I looked foreward every thursday, @ 9pm to watch Harper’s Island…. Then they changed it to Sat. OK, I don’t care when they show it, just show it! who’s big idea was it anyway. shame on you, maybe you should retire,and let some one,take over.( maybe a monkey….. )
CBS comes up with these amazing series ideas, spins it to the public and gets them to tune in. Then WHAM!! they leave you hanging. I made sure I would be available to watch the series to its conclusion in July (single Mom in the Medical field- you do the math) but CBS did it again. First time for me was with JERICHO and now HARPER’s ISLAND. It’s sad really, the executives at CBS hasn’t figured out how loyal a fan can be because they never give you the chance to stick around. It’slike that deadbeat boyfriend you married in… Read more »
I agree. When I first saw the previews for this series, I was so excited. I couldn’t wait till it started. Now I’m hooked and they want to cancel it. This isn’t the first time they ruined it for us. There was other shows that I had gotten into and they did the same thing. Honestly, Its all about money and yeah you need money to survive. But now they will lose us as viewers. And will lose even more money. Besides I only watched CSI, on CBS untill Harper’s Island came on. But now I’m done, NO MORE CBS!!!
you got to be kinding me It is the best show i have seen in along time please do not stop this show we have bets going on who the killer is my kids who are 13 and 21 love this challenge to find out who it is we can’t wait until sturday which is better then the thursday because of school slot you had too much fun on this show please do not throw it to the curb keep it going it makes family time and calling each other so much fun thnaks the dignan family
haha i live in canada and can watch it on global!
Come on, guys. Let’s not be stinky about this. You don’t get exactly what you want so you pick up all the marbles and go home? What about what your viewers have invested in this? We ignorantly followed your hype. Now you leave us to hang out in the cold? Let’s see the end of this show !!!!!
I want to see the remaining Harper’s Island! It did start out slow, but I am hooked!!!!
My daughter and I was really enjoying watching Harpers Island. I can’t believe CBS did this. I was really into trying to figure out who the killer was. I am DONE with CBS.
I started watching Harper’s Island due to all the hype. It started a little slow but I continued watching so finish what you started, I WANT to know who’s the killer. BRING it back!! It’s unique in the way it’s being told.