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?
Yes. One of the best.
I was so looking forward to seeing it this summer. I’m just realizing now nearly halfway through July “where the hell is it?” Hopefully we’ll be able to watch on netflix or amazon or something. I love this show. NO fair Canada, NO fair!
It’s not Canada’s fault. Looks like their network picked it up through season 4. Other countries will show this. ABC US is to blame here.
ABC YOU SUCK…I DON’T EVEN WATCH ANY SHOWS ON YOUR NETWORK…AND THE ONLY ONE I did watch YOU CANCELLED YOU LOST A VIEWER I really
Enjoyed MOTIVE
Wonderful show! Season two was better than the first. Not at all surprising that ABC dropped it. They specialise in canceling their best offerings. No room for quality at their network. (Hey, they killed “Forever.”) I sure hope some of the many cable/satellite networks pick it up. Otherwise, I’ll try to find it on DVD.
I would love to see this show on another channel. I love the format of the show. By showing the ending at the beginning and then showing how they (the killers) got there was great. The actor on this show as a dead twin. Louis Farrarra look so very much like Charles Aidman a character actor that appeared on Twilight Zone, Gunsmoke, Bonanaz lot of old TV shows.they could be twins born 60 year apart.
I’m so disappointed ABC dropped Motive. It was a great series and was looking forward to the next season. I agree with other posts that advertising for this series could have been a lot better. Disappointed is an understatement.
Sad to see abc cancel it. Loved it. Thought abc could have done better job promoting it. Too bad more people didn’t give this show a chance. It’s different from other shows.
We love that show!!
Love the show . . . one of my favorites. So sad it was cancelled – would definitely watch on another channel.
Very disappointed that ABC decided not to pick up Motive for the summer season. Really hope another channel has the good sense to run it.
Me too. What a great show
Clever premise. Good sidekick.
It was just a summer show.
And with what will they replace it; another mindless reality show?
Loved the characters! Will miss it. Would totally watch it on another channel.
ABC shouldn’t have dropped it. Loved this show, sorry to see it go
Yes, great detective series. Unusual approach to solving crimes. Loved it. Looked forward to watching it. So sorry to hear it was canceled by ABC. Maybe the time slot should have changed?
Am I the only one that didn’t like motive? Well, i guess not since it got canceled. It just seemed like the actors were trying too hard to be convincing, especially the lead female detective. Either way I am kinda happy this one is gone to allow something else to come up int the summer where there is not much to watch….