(Photo: Zack Dougan/CBS)
July has gotten off to a good start for fans of the Magnum PI series. CBS cancelled the reboot after four seasons but NBC has now made a deal to save it. The peacock network has renewed the show for two years — seasons five and six. *Update below.
An action series, the Magnum PI TV show stars Jay Hernandez, Perdita Weeks, Zachary Knighton, Stephen Hill, Tim Kang, and Amy Hill. Recurring performers include Lance Kim, Chantal Thuy, and Martin Martinez. 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.
The fourth season of Magnum PI averaged a 0.42 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 5.24 million viewers. Compared to season three, that’s down by 20% in the demo and down by 6% in viewership in the live+same day ratings (including DVR playback through 3:00 AM). In the live+7 day ratings, the reboot averaged a 0.70 demo and 7.38 million with delayed viewing added in.
A mainstay of the CBS Friday night schedule, Magnum was dropped by the network in May. Word was that the cancellation came after CBS and the show’s co-producing studio, Universal Television, couldn’t come to an agreement for a fifth year. As traditional viewing has been dropping, networks are less willing to spend as much on shows that they don’t own.
It was reported last month that efforts were underway to revive Magnum PI and bring it to one or more NBC-Universal properties, like NBC or USA Network. The cast’s options were set to expire last night.
Deadline reports that the series has now been picked up for 20 new episodes which are expected to be broken up into seasons five and six and there is an option for more. This order will take the show to a total of 96 episodes. Magnum will continue to be a co-production of CBS Studios and Universal Television.
Members of the cast reacted to the double renewal via social media:
https://twitter.com/jay_hernandez/status/1542832951708336130
https://twitter.com/ZachKnighton/status/1542758538371403782
https://twitter.com/StephenHillActs/status/1542753928181420035
As I stated in a previous post, we couldn’t do #magnumpi without you all. Literally. Thank you. ❤️
— Tim Kang (@Tim__Kang) July 1, 2022
What do you think? Are you glad to hear that Magnum PI has been saved from cancellation? Will you be watching seasons five and six on NBC?
*1/12/2023 update: NBC says the 20 episodes will all be part of the fifth season.
So happy nbc saved show. Wife and i looked forward to Friday nights
I’m very excited to see magnum is back for the 5th Love the show it’s a strong mix of there’s the bad guy we caught him mixed with the Longterm story loveline That keeps everyone coming back from week to week It is a great change of pace from the multitude of CSI NCIS FBI Spin off to all of the reality shows This show has multitudes of levels that draw all types of viewers in I think CBS is gonna regret dropping the show, CBS seems to deal in what they feel are safe shows what’s worked in the… Read more »
I am so glad this was picked up by NBC–smart move. It is my favorite show!!!!!!!
Yes, my husband and I will both be watching it. Happy to hear it will have 2 more seasons.
Absolutely. Fell in love with all the characters. Love the bantering between Magnum & Perdita. And, between Magnum & Kasomoto. Of course, love the stories and the fact it’s filmed in Hawaii! Please keep it going.
We did not like the !st season of this Magnum reboot. However, the 2nd and 3rd seasons were so much better (it’s like the cast was instructed to spend their break studying the original version). We watch this when other shows and the news become overwhelmingly WOKE and needed something without politics that was heartfelt, fun, and funny. Love Jay Hernandez, Perdita Weeks, and Tim Kang. While it might not have had the high ratings snotty CBS likes, if they checked IMDb, those ratings were high enough to rate more seasons. Shame on CBS. We’ll see where it lands now!… Read more »
I was devastated at first to learn Magnum was cancelled. Very pleased now to learn its been renewed! Love it and the characters!
Please please keep it going!
We love the show and will watch upcoming episodes. Glad the show was saved by NBC. CBS made a mistake!!
yes, i love this show and I will be watching
I will definitely be watching. Love the show!
OMG! There’s power in prayer is all I have to say!!! I never lived a series as much as this one!
YAY!!!! One of my favorite shows!! Very angry when it was cancelled by CBS. Now really happy it was picked up by NBC!!! Love the cast, love the stories, love Hawaii, and love NBC.
One of my favorite shows. Very happy it is coming back.
Glad Magnum will be back, hopefully Sky will purchase the new shows as it has been doing reasonably well on Sunday nights.
So happy that Magnum PI will be back on, great cast and wonderful story line!
I am so happy Magnum is coming back. It is one of our favorite shows.