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.
I had never heard of this show until I was looking up another show on NBC and saw it. After the 1st episode, I was totally hooked. I am extremely disappointed that the show will not come back for another season. I was so excited to get into a show that really made you think and now, I’ll never know the ending. I attribute the shows downfall to the lack of publicity. If people would’ve known about this show they would’ve watched it. There’s decent acting, an engaging plot and beautiful filming. This show could have been great if NBC… Read more »
It is bad that NBC once again fails to do what is right. They talk about they couldnt sell the idea because they didnt try hard enough. I get money on it but if you had sold it right you could have made a killing on it. It was a great show and you killed it before people had actually heard, way to go.
The lack of advertising of the show by NBC was the main reason for the dearth of viewers. I tuned in by accident and loved the show. It’s too bad that NBC cancelled the show. Even by college sophormore daughter and her friends loved the show. If NBC haddone some advertising, Kings would have gathered more support and more viewers! Perhaps, the show will resurrect sometime in the future!
One thing has always rung true pertaining to network television… A show being cancelled isn’t always a measure of how good it was. Classic example, “Firefly.” More recently “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” -great shows, but large ensamble casts dictate large budgets and today, the networks want the immediate gratification of high ratings, or it isn’t worth the investment. They always seem to forget that it took “60-Minutes” seven seasons before it generated enough revenue in advertising to even turn a profit. If you’re going to the effort to create something you want to be proud of… be proud… Read more »
NBC, NBC, YOU MESSED UP! I’m so disappointed because it was such an excellent show. You left not just me but all of us hangin. I would tell family and friends about the show and would encourage them to watch it. I want so much to see the rest of the series. I’ve seen every episode except the second series. I’m so so disappointed. What an excellent series it was, too bad it was canceled. I don’t believe it was promoted as it should of been. This was indeed a great show that had a lot of spiritual emphasis, oh… Read more »
Loved Molly’s comment! Right on the money!
Had “Kings” remained in the Thursday night slot, I feel certain it would have received the viewership it need. The writing is brilliant, scenery magical, the acting worthy of Shakespeare, and the plot twists enough to keep viewers intrigued. This show was the best entertainment on any network station in ages. What a shame NBC executives couldn’t see the goldmine right in front of them
I can’t believe I missed this show on television!I had never even heard of it. I just watched the 3 disk entire series from Netflix, and I am just ablaze!!! This has to be the most awesome show I believe I’ve ever seen. I thought Lost was great, but this…These writers & actors are the best of the best! It’s really too good for television. The cast is off the chart.Honestly, it’s that great. This show must come back! Please!!!
Bottom line: Noone I know had even heard of the show! That WAS the problem!!!!
I enjoyed the biblical references I think the fall in ratings might match the fall in church attendence. I loved the show, but never really had time to watch it on television, and I was confused with the switch in time slots. I loved watching it on Nbc.com perhaps moving the show to online only would save money IDK. Although I adored the show for its theological parallels, and dramatic suspensfulness, I think the show didn’t really conect with American audiences. It also lacked sexual provactivness, and hard hitting action we american love. I applaude the show for not making… Read more »
I believe the reason Kings wasn’t watched was because of Scheduling. How can the Christian population watch if they are at church Sunday evenings? Also there was not enough publicity. What if NBC gave Kings as much media attention as they have given Jay Leno. I certainly know when to tune in for his show and I am updated on the programs. Let’s give Kings another chance.
‘KINGS’ Once again another great series goes to the toilet bowl. I said in my last post…It’s not what ‘they’ want you to see! Because it will make you THINK! If you know anything about your bible, you’ll see a big resemblance to it. Even in the character names, the city names they use to even the events of that day! You see this program is just NOT politically correct for us to be watching, it makes us…THINK! The media cops can’t allow that, it might cause a riot, for God’s sake! Whoops did I say God? Wouldn’t want to… Read more »
Why would you cancel this show, it is great!!!
I absolutely agree with other commenters above. I hate all those “mindless” reality shows. Sure, they are cheaper to produce but I just refuse to watch that trash. I LOVED Kings. NBC needs to market better. I didn’t know about Kings until my son told me about it. I’m really disappointed that I found something this good and it’s being discontinued!
I am so sick of reality shows and the mindless crap that is on network TV. Thank you HBO, Showtime and FX for having the courage to air shows for viewers that are actually capable of using their brains.
I ended up watching the premier episode and future episodes online. I had to search for it. NBC – if you want a case study on how to kill a great show, follow the model you used for Kings…. On the other hand, if you want a show to be successful try advertising it!
I’m so disappointed to learn Kings is canceled after one great season. I didn’t hear much about it before the show aired – NBC didn’t advertise it well. I was hooked after the first episode, because it was so different. I was intrigued by the Biblical references and enjoyed trying to envision the fictional countries.
I hope any network will bring the show back for another season. PLEASE – no more mindless babble reality shows!
This is my first time writing in one of these blogs but I would like to say “kudos” to NBC for canceling another awesome show. It seems that each season NBC puts new shows on the air that are really amazing. However, as soon as you get really interested they get cancelled. This has happened so many times that I have lost count. I’m really grateful that I have HBO because I consider my t.v. time my downtime and I really hate to waste it watching “low intelligence”, reality shows. Our lives are reality. So once again, “kudos” NBC, for… Read more »
I wholeheartedly agree.