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 is one of the best shows ever. So NBC cancels it. Now they are threatening to cancel “The Philanthropist” which is another great show. Both shows have a deep moral theme, great acting, and wonderful scripts. NBC should learn from its own history. In 1996. NBC canceled JAG after just one season. They said it had low ratings. The next year CBS decided to give JAG another chance and it proved very profitable, The show ran for 10 seasons and one numerous awards. Today it is seen in syndication in over 100 countries. If NBC abandons Kings and The… Read more »
I know why the Kings failed. The show started on spring break and final four basketball was on. I watched for the show and even I missed the opening of Kings.. It’s SMART – SEXY – and Very Interesting. Poor timing, very sad to see this show end. Please NBC reintroduce Kings. I think it deserves a second chance.
I didn’t hear about the show right away & once I started watching it, I was hooked. It is an excellent show with outstanding actors. It think it didn’t get the publicity it needed to attrach more viewers & when they changed the time, I had to search for it. I blame the network for it’s failure. I’m extremly sorry to see this show cancelled.
Best network TV show ever. I think many Sci Fi fans like me that would love the show didn’t know about it until it was too late.
I didn’t even know it existed until it was on hulu for a few weeks. They really didn’t promote it very well. Oh well.
This it was a great show that it hurt so much not to see it anymore. Im not a TV serie person. This show was an exception. I love it and I’m very sad not to enjoy it anymore. I will do what ever take to see it on again. Great diversity casts, great history on the background. I love it and I will miss it eternally.
Instead of bashing NBC (which is an obvious waste of time, they are not listening to us) perhaps we should do something positive, like blanket SciFi Network with requests to pick up this show. I can’t see where it would fit in their viewer’s forum, but we could try sending to feedback@syfy.com. . .
I missed the pilot, but cought the following episodes. It seemed that the netwoek did not advertise as well as it should have to draw in viewers. I loved this program and our whole family watched it. We were very upset to see it cancelled. When I would talk to others about my “new favorite” show they would ask what the name was and comment on how great it sounded. Most had never heard of it!!! This was a great program and could have been a big hit if NBC had made a better effort to get the word out.
While I’m not a “Bible Thumper,” I do wonder if KINGS was cancelled because the main characters acknowledged and worshipped God?
What a shame that such an intelligent, high-quality, well-written program with an absolutely amazing cast was never really given a fair chance!
Kings was a great show. I had hoped that NBC would reconsider and give it one more season to find its audience. The other thing is that the DVD sales for this show would have been strong, I think. That said, at $4mm per episode, without the ratings, too expensive to continuing producing at the calibre loyal fans expect. I sure wish they did though – best new show I have seen on television in years.
I didn’t just like the show, I loved that show. It actually drove me to get online and discuss it on the Kings on NBC website w/ others fans which I have never done before. I haven’t been this excited about a tv program since watching the muppets when I was 4! There’s nothing good on tv anymore, it’s all the same old crap w/ different names and faces. I hardly ever watch tv anymore (especially now!) I’m not religious at all, in fact it’s what makes their religion different from any religion on this earth that I like: that… Read more »
I agree with everyone else. I had never heard about kings until i stumbled upon it online. I think it is one of the best shows I have ever seen. I’m not religious or part of any special group. I think lots of people would enjoy it. I have yet to hear a bad review of it.
the show failed because the network throws stuff out there but doesn’t give people a chance to find it and attach. if they want instant success i guess they just have to keep tossing out mindless reality shows. after all, it doesn’t take much intellect to sit in front of the tube and watch obese people sweat, or dumb couples fall into water hazards.
keep canceling the good shows and pretty soon you’ll just have the short bus people as your audience. that ought to make advertisers happy!
the n whats the conclusion, at least publish what happened in the end
this is ridiculous. ive never been this excited about a show since BSG. the storyline you have going is just teeming with potential, i seriously cant believe you (nbc) idiots. you dont know what good stuff you’re letting slip through your fingers. but wtf do i care? by now even if you did put it back on the air at all, it would probably be written purely for excessive empty drama and unnecessary hightened suspense just to scrape across the ratings quota line and not the good dishings of enticing plots and intricate characters we viewers had earlier. oh well.… Read more »
NBC really has no ability to understand how their business is changing. Kings is a terrific show. They would have done well to give a shot, like they did for “Seinfeld” which was a pretty poor show in its first 2 seasons. Moreover, perhaps putting it on SyFy or Bravo would have been a better fit. It is such a shame to see it go. And a crime to leave an audience hanging. Clearly, David would go on to be King. Duh. But, the writers did a good job of keeping it suspenseful. My folks love the show too, and… Read more »