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CBS viewers recently saw the cancellations of three established scripted shows – Magnum PI, B Positive, and United States of Al. Now, CBS Entertainment President Kelly Kahl has addressed the reasoning behind those ‘tough’ cancellations.
Rumors that surrounded Magnum PI made it seem like licensing fee issues were behind the cancellation of the drama series. Deadline reports that the series’ cancellation may have been influenced by “the bruising negotiations” CBS had to go through with Universal Television over the renewals of higher-rated dramas FBI, FBI: Most Wanted, FBI: International, and The Equalizer. Kahl said the following:
“You have some tough decisions to make and you have lots of factors — and I’m not going to rule [the licensing fee] out as one of them. It was a great team to work with, and one of the tougher decisions we had to make.”
Magnum PI, starring Jay Hernandez, Perdita Weeks, Zachary Knighton, Stephen Hill, Tim Kang, and Amy Hill, aired for four seasons on CBS.
As for the two Chuck Lorre comedies cancelled by the network, the decision was difficult. Kahl said the following about cancelling B Positive and the United States of Al:
“I’m not going to pretend and tell you [Lorre] was happy. He was disappointed with the news but he’s the single most talented comedy producer I’ve certainly ever worked with.”
CBS is already working with Lorre on new comedy shows.
The three series are produced or licensed by outside studios and networks see less profit from those due to the decline of revenue from traditional television viewing and the shift to streaming.
What do you think? Were you surprised by the cancellations of Magnum PI, B Positive, and United States of Al by CBS? Did you want more seasons of these three shows?
All I can say is I’ll be watching CBS a lot less this year. There are 3 full nights I won’t be watching at all.:):):):)
Very disappointed with your decision to cancel 3 of my favorite shows. Ghosts stink. I will be watching other channels because of this.
You keep canceling good shows. Will not watch the dumb reality shows. Over the years good scripts, actors and producers get canceled. It’s always dumb and dumber win. Add the dumbest commercials are getting dumber.
You cancelled 3 shows I watched every week and are replacing them with shows I won’t be watching. Keep up the good work.
Same here.
Realmente é uma tristeza. # MagnunPI é um seriado divertido e que traz o melhor do ser humano….pena
Keep cancelling good shows like Mom and B Positive. Would love another network to pick up B Positive.
It’s a shame that you always cancel the good shows and leave the crappy ones on. I enjoyed watching Magnum PI and Hawaii Five-0 because of the beautiful scenery. I hope another network picks up Magnum PI so that I can watch it on another station and not on CBS
Yes!! I miss Hawaii Five-O
I’m very upset that B positive was canceled. We need laughter, Humor and happiness!! We need to “B positive “. In this day and age where the news is always terrible, depressing and scary and people are going through so much, B positive took difficult subjects and made them funny. There is so much anger, depression, anxiety, gun violence, deaths, Covid, etc., why do the executives always decide to cancel good shows. Maybe if they market these programs better, more people would watch.
I am very disappointed. I enjoyed it. I hope CBS will reconsider.
B positive and United States of AL were excellent shows.They will be greatly missed. It was a wonderful line up ,especially with Ghosts.
It’s bs all 3 are better than equalizer and couple others they are keeping
I will not watch CBS again. You took 3 comedies that brought happiness to people in a DARK COVID time and cancelled them. Bye CBS Hello Netflix.
I agree
Glad they Cancelled Fake Magnum..it was BAD!
Why were you watching if it was bad? I liked it but if I found it bad like you, I would do something else with my time.
We were very disappointed B Positive was cancelled. It was a family favorite for its quirky sweet storylines about tough subjects.
I’m glad magnum got cancelled. It wasn’t so good.
AGREE