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 am so hooked when it is on i am always on my toes wondering what is next best series in a long time
please don’t drop this show, it’s wonderful!!! I Love It, I’m totally hooked. please finish & air all episodes.
I really enjoy this series – I usually record it on my DVR and watch it at my own pace so the move to Sat nights doesn’t matter to me. The plot is well conceived and the characters on the show are memorable (and, more importantly, Trish and Chloe are HOT).
I Love this show. It’s a great series. Please do not take it away. They already canceled Terminator. PLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLEASE DO NOT TAKE THIS AWAY TOO…. 🙁 And why are you showing it at crazy hours and days? Put some money and faith in promoting it more. It’s really is a great show. It can become an iconic classic like Star Trek, V, Twin Peaks…….. Do I need to say more???? All shows that were canceled before their time.
please show the rest of the series on your network if not can you at least have them available to view on cbs.com or let another station like Hulu.com provide it to us so we can continue this great show. my 3 son and I look forward to see the show every week
Love the show! Love it Love it Love it!
Great Show!
Do not look away you will miss something!
Most fun I’ve had watching a TV Show in a long time!
Fun*Action*Suppence*Drama* Horror*
Has it all!
Keep them coming!
I have really enjoyed this mini series, and I have been looking forward to it each week. I can’t stand when something is pulled, leaving one hanging… it was well produced with interesting characters & plot.
Please bring it back!
Finish the series, do not end it unfinished!!!
why bother making this kind of show if you don’t intend on leting the ones who are watching finish the story.
Thought I had left a reply already. Anyway, they need to finish the series. I LOVE murder mysteries, etc. I don’t watch much (esp those crappy reality shows) and our family is hooked. Where we live we can watch it at either 8 or 9 depending on the station. The only reason I also watched it online was because I wanted to watch a FULL RECAP to try and figure out what went on in case I missed anything. I really don’t care what night it’s on and the full episodes available on-line made it an even better show. The… Read more »
WHY????? I love this show!!! Please finish it. It was like a combo of American Gothic & Twin Peaks…don’t take this off and make us sit through ANOTHER reality show or stupid sitcom….
Just finish the series! I got interested and then you just stop the episodes. At least let us finish what was started. By the way I am SICK of reality shows.
PLEASE show the rest of the series! You HAVE to! I was left hanging when “Reunion” was pulled (and yes, I know that was a different network), so I’ll be FURIOUS if I’m left hanging this time. You can’t just give a mystery and then not solve it. Would you give someone only the first half of a book?
Just finish it. Makes me a little leary of starting a continuing series. If I am going to spend the time watching your show you owe it to your audience to at least end the story.