Fans of the Motive TV show won’t find the series on the ABC schedule this summer. The US network has decided to drop the Canadian police drama after two seasons.
Motive revolves around a strong-willed Vancouver detective (Kristin Lehman) who’s also a single mom. At the start of each episode, viewers are shown the killer and victims. As the criminal investigation progresses, details of what led to the crime are revealed via flashbacks. The rest of the cast includes Louis Ferreira, Lauren Holly, Roger Cross, Brendan Penny, and Cameron Bright.
Produced in Canada, ABC licensed the show to air in the US during the summer months. Though it has some devout fans, the series’ ratings were pretty poor. The first season attracted an average of a 0.9 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 4.96 million viewers. Last summer’s second season drew a 0.8 rating with 4.07 million.
While ABC has “cancelled” the series here in the States, the show will continue to air in Canada. It was renewed for a third season in May 2014 and those episodes are currently running on CTV. The network has just announced that Motive has been picked up for a fourth season and will resume production in the fall.
It is possible that another US channel could pick up the series since licensing a show costs much less than producing original programming of their own. Cable channel ION picked up imports The Listener and Flashpoint after they were dropped by NBC and CBS respectively.
What do you think? Do you like the Motive TV show? Should ABC have dropped it? Would you watch seasons three and four on another channel?
US networks have a really bad habit of canceling great shows and introducing new shows that aren’t worth the time slot they drop them in. Someone is definitely off their meds to be constantly making these types of bad decisions. They worry about competition with the other networks and lose sight of what their viewers want. They fail more than they succeed with this “poker game” gambling mentality.
This was a very clever show. Well written, and with a great cast. I have no idea why they would cancel this show, but chose to keep an awful show like “The Goldbergs”. I hope another network picks it up.
How can I watch CTV down here in FL. I love, love, love this show. It’s well written and not full of BS like some of the shows that have managed to stay on the air. ABC, you freaking cancelled two of the shows I watch first off my DVR and would gladly watch in re-runs. Yes I would watch Motive or Forever before I watched “How to Get Away Murder” on my DVR. Heck I would even watch both those shows live, which is something I don’t do. UGH I guess I won’t be watch as much TV anymore.
I will watch this on another channel if ABC is not picking it up
We loved this show, too, and we hope another network will pick it up!
This is a FABULOUS show, ABC is ignorant to have dropped it. Hope some other network is intelligent enough to pick them up.
I cannot believe this show got canceled. I sure do hope another US network picks it up.
Please make it available in US…loved this show!
This is one of the more creative and intelligent crime shows. Please bring it back to the U.S,!
This is absolutely one of the best shows on TV. Please bring it back. I’m at the point where I’m watching only DVD’s. Network television is the US is at its lowest point ever.
Motive is one of my favorite police dramas. It is well written, with a very creative approach to presenting crime drama. The cast is strong and the writing is top notch. I look forwarded to SOMEBODY picking up the episodes again for us USA fans.
it is a great series. Pleaseeeeee show it in the USA. Each person had a big individual personallty .Bring it back in prime time.. Pleaseeeeee!
Being a Vancouver native, it is so cool to watch a show filmed in my city, that actually happens in my city, and is not made out to be some small US town. It is so well written and the characters are so perfect for their roles. Angie is so amazing for her role. Please keep it going, I look forward to watching it every Sunday night.
Motive was my favorite TV show. I hope another network will pick it up. I wish I could watch Season 3. Will it come out on video?
I hate that ABC dropped it, because it was a good show and I hope another network pick it up. It would be really nice to see season 3 & 4 & so on…
Motive was — IS — one of my favorite TV shows. I caught the first episode of Season 3 while I was traveling in Canada. I’d really like to see it back again here in the U.S.
This is a great show that has an interesting twist, I am sure another network will pick it up