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?
I liked the show. Where c an I get seasons 3 & 4?
Just saw an ad for Motive before hubby flipped the channel – didn’t see enough of it to know if it was coming back or if they were showing repeats – which would be fine – loved the show. But had hoped whatever channel it was would be airing new episodes. Bring it back to the States, too!!
In 2016, USA Network picked up Motive for its spring schedule with Season 3 episodes set to premiere on April 1, 2016.
USA Network will broadcast Season 3, which for us is new. Not sure if the 4th (and unfortunately, final) season will also be broadcast by them. Hope so!
ok
great show bring it back
My sister and I watch “Motive” religiously and even the repeats – please say it isn’t so!
I ready liked this show but found there was not enough episodes in a season
loved this series !!! even watching repeats .
Sadly, Motive has wrapped it’s 4th (and FINAL!) season in Canada. I saw a few headlines that it had been cancelled by CTV, although no article actually stated that. I can only hope that the final two seasons will eventually be shown in the US, or it will be issued on DVD’s that work here in the states.
I love this show and all the characters, also bring back END GAME!!!! There needs to be an end obviously. Or anything with Lovely Mr. Shawn Doyle in it!
Can Netflix pick it up?
Yes please!!! ION picked up flashpoint, could they pick up motive? OR, for us non tech people, put it out on dvd so that we can binge watch it. ALL of the seasons.
Love the show
Why does every show I love with substance get canceled? Because there is no sex and stupidity! American TV big wigs are stupid!
You answered your own question.
My wife and I don’t watch a lot of TV, so it was great that there was one show we both liked, and looked forward to. Let’s hope another channel picks it up…!
Motive was an excellent show and I’ll miss it. I would definitely watch seasons 3 and 4.