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’m with all the other viewers on NBC cancelling. All the stars and crews will be out of a job besides. You need to rethink all options. If one doesn’t want to watch, DON’T! Big mistake as other programs out need to be cancelled. Viewing is bad. I guess I’ll watch less of NBC
I love the show. It’s one of the few that is appropriate for family viewing and is enjoyable
I love this show and cast. Please, please don’t cancel Magnum PI
Please bring it back! It was exciting and who doesn’t love action thrillers from Hawaii!? Someone please pick this up!
All the good shows get canceled but nonsense shows last years. Diehard Magnum fan. CBS never should’ve cancelled Magnum in the first place. NBC did it dirty by only doing 20 episodes but spacing them over a two year period. WB, UPN, USA Network or FOX…. Y’all need to give Magnum a serious look and agree to at least a 3 year/26 episodes a year deal. Give it a chance to get its viewership back to CBS Season 4 ratings.
So sad. Please reconsider and bring back Magnum PI
I understand the problem with the writers strike, but I will miss the show very much. I watched the show on CBS and NBC and bought the DVDS.
The best show going for our tastes. Cannot believe the cancellation. Why not give it a couple of years in the Sunday slot and see? Am devastated.
No way!! Is a great show! Way too soon to be cancelled! Always the good shows that end too soon! Not happy!
I was glad it was renewed and have watched every episode. Since The Blaclist is ending Magnum and the gang can slide into that slot and have the entire season instead of breaking it up. Anyone listening to this brilliant idea?
Sorry to hear that Magnum is cancelled. It is the best show at this time. Thank you for that ☹️
Keep Magnum PI and cancel NCIS Hawaii
I whooleheartedly agree
Loved the show and am sad to see it go. Good quality shows have been getting less and less over the years
I love Magnum P.I. and am a dedicated fan. Was sorry to see the show leave CBS and sorry again to learn that NBC is canceling the reboot. Please bring Magnum back. Thanks for listening.
Please dont cancel