The network had high hopes for Kings, a series based on the Biblical tale of King David. With a large cast of actors like Ian McShane, Christopher Egan, Allison Miller, Susanna Thompson, Sebastian Stan, Eamonn Walker, and Dylan Baker, NBC reportedly spent $10 million on the two-hour debut and $4 million on subsequent episodes.
Unfortunately, Kings failed to attract many viewers for its debut on Sunday, March 15th. The premiere attracted an average of just 6.08 million viewers and a 1.6/4 rating/share of the 18-49 demographic.
After two more weeks of dismal and declining ratings on Sundays, NBC shuffled the series off to Saturday nights. Understandably, viewership continued to fall and the airings averaged well under two million viewers.
While the series found a devoted group of viewers, the numbers certainly weren’t enough to warrant a sophomore season. Sadly, the series finale only leaves loyal watchers wanting more. For those that missed it, it’s been posted below. It’s called “The New King, Part Two.”
Do you have any thoughts as to why Kings wasn’t a big success? Is it purely the network’s fault or did audiences tune out for another reason? In the end, do you think the Biblical relation helped or hurt the show?
Image courtesy NBC.
“Kings” demise can be traced to December ’08 when new NBC vice-president for primetime entertainment Angela Bromstad arrived. It was her decision to move “Kings” from its originally publicized Thursday night spot to Sunday. Her predecessors, who were let go, were “Kings” proponents, and Bromstad, rather than embracing this brilliant show, relegated it to Sunday night, where it didn’t get the ratings. After only four episodes on Sunday, “Kings” was shuffled off to Saturday, the television graveyard. “Kings” wasn’t given a chance. It seems the show was deliberately killed off. Even before her arrival, NBC wasn’t too sure how to… Read more »
I am very saddened that Kings is being cancelled! It is one of the most imaginative shows that kept you hanging and anxious for the next episode! Not another cop show or comedy, but a show with depth to the characters that kept you rooting for the good guys and trying to figure out what was next on the plot line. I can’t stand that we will not see any further episodes….it has so much potential to several seasons long such as 24, thougth a totally better story line and plot! Please, consider a second season. With better marketing and… Read more »
I really liked this show and would like to see it return. If not on NBC then perhaps one of the higher cable channels. It is worth continued investment.
What a shame. Kings is what brought me back to Prime Time TV. I so believe NBC failed the show. They doomed it from the beginning by airing on Sat. night! I watched it on HULU when I had time.
Thanks NBC, you just threw out the window one of the best written, acted and filmed shows I have seen in a very long time.
My TV goes black once again.
If 20th Century Fox had only let audiences watch the first 10 minutes of Star Wars before deciding whether they would roll the rest of the film, they would have missed out on one of the greatest movie franchises in film history. The same goes with Kings. We were barely introduced to the characters before the show was shelved. As much as I would like to bash NBC for pulling the show, I give them some credit. At least they are trying to raise the bar by giving shows like Kings (and Journeyman, etc.) a shot. But, Brent (above) is… Read more »
what biblical relation… oh yeah.. no it had nothing to do with that! I actually loved the way they portrayed it and the emotion to it… i really thought viewers like myself would grow attached to David, like he is in everyone of us.. like we all have a purpose.. i guess it’s religious in some way.. but it doesn’t have to be that way… i think it really made me feel as if there was more to life… i know that sounds corny but i think it would have impacted more people’s lives! I really didn’t know about this… Read more »
I thought the Show was Excellent…. it wasnt until after i saw a couple of episodes that i first saw the reference to it supposedly being based on the Biblical tale of King David…and i had to do a double take as it was the furthest thing that came to mind as i watched the show… i took the religious elements as giving the show something of a very well done supernatural edge that didnt go over the top… rather than something outright “biblical”… i definitely think it was a mistake bill it as such. It was the ONLY show… Read more »
This was a great show, I think it’s a travesty that this show was not marketed well and shuffled and cancelled without giving it a chance. I want more.
Sell it to or transfer to SyFy or ABC family channel.
It was stunning. Well written, very imaginative, and like BSG, keeps you hanging.
This shows also reveals the decay of the American mind.
Again give it to ABC Family!!!!!
I am very disappointed today with today’s TV Networks. The only shows that they tend to keep are reality shows (I know I am restating some above comments, but it is true). Kings is a great example of a show being imaginative and creating a piece of art. The character development was great and the scenes were beautiful. I see nothing but shows getting canceled all the time and it pains me to see a show with so much depth and premise to be cut off before it can even get through its first heat. And about ratings, the system… Read more »
I defiantly think the network isn’t giving online viewers any notice. I am sad now that I didn’t tune in on Saturdays but instead watched it on hulu the next day. I just don’t watch TV on Saturdays, especially in the summer. Another season I think could really turn the ratings around.
I totally agree, I thought it was an amazing show, with great writing, acting, and production. I think that it really was the networks fault, they put it on a bad night, and then moved…I also had to watch most of the shows on hulu because of the poor placement…
I’m sorry to see Kings go. It was anothera show that I cared to get involved with. I refuse to watch reality shows – never have and never will. So many of the shows I like have been canceled without any resolution. Since this seems to be the way TV is heading, I believe I will only watch movies, documentaries, sports shows and shows that conclude in each episode and do not leave me hanging. Boo! to the TV industry and shame on them..
It was on an American network and destined for failure. NBC was a entertainment leader many moons ago when they would nurture shows like Cheers (a low rated show in the beginning).
Nowadays, networks want Ameican Idol ratings.
Ridiculous
what the heck, the only show i really loved.
the episodes got better and better with an amazing ending. i think it was the network’s fault because the show was just amazing, but they should of put it on a day that people would watch it. i had to watch it on hulu most of the time because i missed it on TV. i NEED a sophomore season, season 1 was just amazing and i do believe that the Biblical relation helped the show attract interest and was one reason i checked it out.