The original Magnum PI TV show, which ran on CBS from 1980 to 1988 and starred Tom Selleck in the title role, was a pretty big hit back in the days when there were far fewer choices and hence, much bigger audiences. Now that the Tiffany network has rebooted the Hawaii-set action-adventure series for a new generation, will it still burn up the Nielsen ratings? Will the new Magnum PI be cancelled or renewed for season two? Stay tuned. *Status update below.
A CBS crime drama, Magnum PI stars Jay Hernandez, Perdita Weeks, Zachary Knighton, Stephen Hill, Tim Kang, and Amy Hill. The mystery thriller centers on former Navy SEAL Thomas Magnum (Hernandez), who is back from Afghanistan and working as a private investigator. Magnum lives in a guest cottage on the Robin’s Nest estate in Oahu, where he also serves as a security consultant. With his team at the ready, a vintage Ferrari at his disposal, and his trademark aviator sunglasses, Magnum is always ready to crack the next case.
The ratings are typically the best indication of a show’s likelihood of staying on the air. The higher the ratings (particularly in the 18-49 demo), the better the chances for survival. This chart will be updated as new ratings data becomes available — typically around 11:30am EST/8:30am PST. Refresh to see the latest.
4/16 update: You can see the latest night’s ratings in context.
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Note: These are the Live + Same Day Ratings which include “live” viewing plus delayed DVR viewing, up until 3am local time that same night. Ratings marked with an “*” are the fast affiliate ratings and will be updated with the Live+SD numbers when they are made available. Typically, networks get paid for C+3 ratings which includes DVR viewing within three days of the original airing when commercials are watched. Those numbers are rarely released to the press.
What do you think? Do you like the Magnum PI TV series? Should it be cancelled or renewed for a second season on CBS?
*1/25/19 update: CBS has renewed the Magnum PI TV show for a second season.
We love the new Magnum PI. Great Monday evening entertainment. Enjoy all the characters, even the dogs. One can really never go back and reproduce a series that will be perfect, so people should not expect to view it, as it was. Would love to be able to watch another season.
I’m sorry, I have tried very hard to like the new Magnum, but really, what were they thinking? Love the new Higgins, new Ric, not crazy about TC but I just can’t get over their choice for Magnum. No one can replace Tom Selleck, but there are a lot of tall (stress the tall), dark and handsome actors out there, so why choose a short, kinda CUTE but not very handsome , no charm or charisma Latino (really, a Latino with the name Thomas Magnum??). I have no real problem with him being Latino except for the name thing…very unbelievable!!… Read more »
Virginia… I couldn’t of said it any better!
I think that this new reboot sucks! Why can’t they just leave the 80s Magnum alone? CBS could have call this new one something other than Magnum PI and it would have be ok. Only one Magnum and that is Tom Selleck! And it makes me sick how PC this one is.
The problem for many is that they compare it to the old Magnum. Tom Selleck was one of a kind, and Higgins was spectacular.
But this show is great as well. I love the spunky new female Higgins, and they’ve kept just enough of the old show (Zeus and Apollo, for example) while not hesitating to revamp it a bit. The two friends (especially TC) aren’t quite as good as the actors in the old series, but overall I find it a fantastic show.
Please renew!
Excellent remake of Magnum…Higgens is great….good story lines so lease keep it!
I agree. I like the new Magnum as well.
I’d like to see more.
Maybe if they stuck him in Daisy Dukes like the old Magnum wore he’d get more of the female demographic! Seriously though, recasting the entire group of characters that the original developed over the course of 8 seasons wasn’t a good idea. If they really wanted to revive Magnum PI, they should have done like Hawaii 5-0 and had this be Magnum’s son who could also be called Thomas, and have him fulfilling the same missions today- he could have even inherited the car from his father who got it from the original Higgins. They could have had Higgins be… Read more »
I was a big fan of the old show, but Jay Hernandez and the others are doing a great job with the new one. It has enough of the old feel without just being a repeat. I say renew.
Show is big disappointment-
And to the article “much larger audiences due to less programming” – back when the original was prime time you didn’t have the amount of TV’s that exist in every household now – so not just simply less choices
The original is just better quality, better actors and better stories.
I am a boomer. My bias is then obvious. The original Magnum P.I. was a boomer, too, and he was a completely charming character. Tom Selleck was/is one-of-a-kind. Because of that, I do not hold the ‘New” Magnum to that template. However. The original was tall and handsome – a leading man in every way. He was witty, and self-effacing. The new Magnum isn’t even as tall as the new (female) Higgins. Embarrassing! He hasn’t 1/10th the charm or wit of the original. He’s no Michael J. Fox, or Tom Cruise. Well, in an attempt to say something nice, at… Read more »
No charisma..no chemistry.
That’s only your point of you
I wouldn’t watch any more of that show if my life depended on it. He’s NOT Magnum. Nowhere near it.
I loved the old Magnum…but I’m in love with the new Magnum!!
The new Magnum stinks. It is too forced and there are too many helpers that he magically lives near and they are all some type of killing expert. I only watched the first half of the first show but I knew it was doomed. Also, the woman who took over the character who was the house sitter (Higgins?) is also an expert trained killer. How super unbelievable.
I was a huge fan of the original Magnum PI in the 80s. But I want you to know that I am in love with the new Magnum PI. Didn’t think I would like it, was trying to find fault with it. But I love, love it!