(Photo by: Zack Dougan/NBC)
Magnum and Higgins’ time on television is coming to a close. NBC has revealed that the Magnum PI TV series is ending and won’t have a sixth year. The fifth season of 20 episodes will conclude in 2024.
An action-adventure drama series, the Magnum PI TV show stars Jay Hernandez, Perdita Weeks, Zachary Knighton, Stephen Hill, Amy Hill, and Tim Kang. This reboot of the 1980s TV show follows Thomas Magnum (Hernandez), a decorated former Navy SEAL who repurposes his military skills to become a private investigator. He lives in a guest cottage on Robin’s Nest, the luxurious estate where he works as a security consultant to supplement his P.I. business. The “majordomo” of the property is Juliet Higgins (Weeks), a beautiful and commanding disavowed MI:6 agent who keeps Magnum in line. When Magnum needs back-up on a job, he turns to his trusted buddies and fellow POW survivors, chopper pilot Theodore “TC” Calvin (Hill) and Orville “Rick” Wright (Knighton), a former Marine door-gunner who now runs a nightclub. Magnum frequently has run-ins with police detective Gordon Katsumoto (Kang) and the two are more alike than either cares to admit. The unofficial “House Mom” and cultural curator of Robin’s Nest, Teuila “Kumu” Tuileta (Hill) is also one of Magnum’s biggest fans.
Airing on Sunday nights, the fifth season of Magnum PI averages a 0.27 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 3.35 million viewers. Compared to season four (which aired on CBS), that’s down by 35% in the demo and down by 36% in viewership in the live+same day ratings (including DVR playback through 3:00 AM). It’s been a moderate performer in the traditional ratings.
Last year, CBS cancelled the reboot series after four seasons because the network and the show’s co-producing studio, Universal Television (owned by NBC-Universal), couldn’t reach a financial agreement for a fifth year. As traditional viewing has dropped, networks are less willing to spend as much on shows they don’t own.
NBC revived the show for 20 episodes. It was initially reported that they would be split between seasons five and six. It was later confirmed that they would all be part of a fifth season. Ten episodes aired during the 2022-23 season, and the remaining ten installments will run during the upcoming 2023-24 season.
The cast’s options expire on June 30th, and NBC has opted not to extend them. The network could have extended them and would have had next year to decide if they wanted a sixth season, putting the cast on hold for a year. With the uncertainty of the ongoing writers strike, the decision has been made to end the show.
What do you think? Have you kept up with the Magnum PI TV series on NBC? Are you sorry that this reboot has been cancelled instead of renewed for a sixth season?
I loved this show. Please don’t cancel
I wish it wasn’t being cancelled. It was a fun, clean show. We didn’t have to worry if our granddaughters were over here or not. Not having a full season never helps. The night it on was not strong either. I used to watch Dateline but not since it went to 2 hours. It’s great for the networks because it is A LOT less expensive to produce. The “reality” and documentary type of shows make them boatloads of cash so why wouldn’t they cancel scripted shows. The writer’s strike is going to knock scripted shows down more than the last… Read more »
Love Magnum. So sorry it is ending.
I look forward to Magnum. It”s a vacation from the horror stories or silly stories and ends happy. It’s definitely a mental vacation!!!!!!!!
Should not be cancelled. Too many good shows get replaced by stupid reality shows. Keep the good shows. This was one of my favorites
Wish Magnum PI. would be renewed – the show has great actors. There are to many ‘reality’ shows and not enough good shows left anymore.
This is the only show I watch on NBC.
Sad to hear. It was a nice fun show to watch. Pretty soon all there will be is game shows and who is dating to marry in 24 hours.
Never miss an episode. Next to Blacklist my most favorite TV series of all time. PLEASE DON’T CANCEL IT.
They should renew it, it is one of the best shows out there, TV is not doing good with good shows to watch it is sad!!!
Cancelling all of the good stuff and keeping all the garbage I don’t understand it
This reboot, like the SWAT reboot, was even better than the original series.
Please dont end Magnum PI. I love this show and I look forward to sitting and watching it. It keeps my mind off of my problems. I love the actors. PLEASE DONT CANCEL THEM!!
Love this show and extremely disappointed that it will not be renewed…
I really enjoyed the show on cbs but I didn’t keep up with it on nbc. I was very glad that Magnum and Higgins got together and I hope they get a happy ending.