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 like Motive. If I cannot be home to watch it I make sure it is taped. Get rid of the reality shows instead.
I love Motive. I like the format, love the actors and I am Very disappointed that no one is watching.. I hope it will be picked up again for US TV. I believe it just hasn’t had enough exposure. I also want the actors to keep their jobs.
I am so disappointed that Motive is being cancelled. Such an amazing Canadian show . So well produced and directed. Amazing talented cast. I am such a fan , talking to friends and family about this show. I am angry that Motive is not more supported. I am a great fan of Law and Order SVU BUT MOTIVE surpast this show . Damit…. Excuse my language but I just don’t understand why a Canadian show and successfully produced as Motive can be cancelled. WHAT A LOSS.
This is a great show!! Don’t cancel it
I watched this past Friday night on USA TV. It’s on again this Am EST Sunday 4/3 at 9:30. Just as good as I remember.
Yes, I definitely would watch this show if it were on another channel. Don’t think it should have been cancelled. The chemistry between the two leads was incredible
Season 3 starts tonight on USA
http://www.usanetwork.com/motive
This show is clever, funny and intriguing – what a shame it is the final season!! I would absolutely watch it wherever it was offered and hope that there will be a different decision made regarding the future of the show.
Yes, I like the program. Yes, I am disappointed that it was cancelled, Yes, I would watch it on another channel if my cable has whatever channel that may be.
I really like the concept of the show. You know up front who the victim is and who the killer is. I like the way the show ties the two persons together.
I had caught Motive on NBC during season 2 and loved it. I was so disappointed when it didn’t come back to the US for season 3. Every few months I’d google it and all I could find was how to buy it. I finally found it a little while ago on the On Demand on cable. Season 1 was on and I binged on it. Glad I did cause then season 1 was gone and I hadn’t seen it before. Season 2 was on and I binged on that. Now I’m ready for season 3. Yeah. I love that… Read more »
Lost a good show. Should have dropped Greys, gave up on that one years ago
Love the show watched every episode, I don’t want it canceled.
Knowing the killer ruins the ending. No surprise, no suspense and the show is over in the opening scene when you know how it happens.
Should be dropped
Sara, the point is – what is the motive? err the shows name. It’s a different angle on the detective type shows. I like it and it shouldn’t be dropped. If you don’t like it then don’t watch it.
YAY, it IS coming back to the States on USA Network! Season 2 is currently available on their website, and they’ll broadcast Season 3 starting April 1st.
My mom and I watched Motive when it was on ABC and as I’m watching USA I see in the corner about Motive a new series coming. And I start to think, is it the same Motive from Abc. Seeing that also triggered that I saw Motive On Demand the other day and I thought that was weird because the show has been off for so long. So I just now just did some searching about Motive and I read this old article and decided to scroll down to see the comment section and saw yours and got so excited!!… Read more »
Is there anyplace I can watch season 1 without paying for it on hulu or any other place like that? I started watching it season 2 so I want to watch season 1
I liked the show and watched every single episode. Where can I get seasons three and four?
In 2016, USA Network picked up Motive for its spring schedule with Season 3 episodes set to premiere on April 1, 2016.