The peacock network is dropping their medical drama Saving Hope from the schedule. While the TV series hasn’t been officially cancelled by NBC, the writing is certainly on the wall.
Saving Hope revolves around the staff of a major hospital. The charismatic Chief of Surgery (Michael Shanks) suffers a massive brain hemorrhage on his wedding day and ends up in a coma. This leaves the facility in chaos and his fiance and fellow surgeon (Erica Durance) in a state of shock. It doesn’t help matters that her former boyfriend (Daniel Gillies) — also a brilliant surgeon — has arrived to work at the same facility. Others in the cast include Michelle Nolden, K. C. Collins, Kristopher Turner, Julia Taylor Ross, Ben Ayres, Huse Madhavji, Salvatore Antonio, and Glenda Braganza.
The TV show has been struggling in the ratings from the start and back in July hit a series low of a 0.4 rating in the 18-49 demographic with just 2.20 million viewers. Still, it was scripted programming that NBC was licensing from Canada so it wasn’t costing them much.
The plan was to air the final two episodes of the season on successive Saturdays — first on September 1st and 8th, then on the 8th and 15th. Now, according to TV Line, the 12th and 13th installments will be released online instead.
While there’s essentially no chance of Saving Hope returning to NBC, the TV series has already been renewed for a second season by CTV in Canada.
Will US viewers be able to watch the second season? Well, Saving Hope could be released on DVD at some point and there’s also a chance that a cable channel could pick up the show. Ion has acquired the rights to air episodes of fellow Canadian exports The Listener and Flashpoint — two shows that have aired on NBC and CBS respectively.
What do you think? Are you sorry that NBC is dropping Saving Hope? Would buy a DVD set or follow it to a cable channel?
Will follow Michael Shanks anywhere! But seriously, Saving Hope is an excellent piece of art that, unfortunately for it, was more appropriate for prime season audiences. Luckily, I puchased a season ticket through Amazon, so, though delayed, won’t miss the final two eps. I cannot wait for the DVD that may add bloopers and behind the scenes to the mix AND I am heartened by the news that ION may add Saving Hope Season two to its lineup. Wake up Charlie!
It’s a shame, what NBC did the the show. They did a similar thing with Merlin, if I remember correctly. But Merlin’s now thriving on SyFy, so perhaps Saving Hope will also find its place among the cable networks. I’d certainly follow it. (It can’t cost too much for a US network to pick up! CTV is footing the production bill, much like how BBC pays for Merlin!)
I would buy on DVD and watch on cable. I hope to watch the last 2 episodes as I feel I am immersed in the story.
I’ll follow it anywhere! Nbc has lost a viewer
I love this show! Give me the chance and I will watch it faithfuly, and when it comes out on dvd like all great shows should I will buy every single dvd.
I would follow it to a cable/non-major network channel in a heartbeat. I generallky don’t buy DVDs if I can get a show through Netflix on dvd though.
I will follow Saving Hope on DVD/Blu-Ray, Cable, you name it. It’s an amazing show. I’m not at all surprised at NBC doing this because they barely promoted it before it aired and quit bothering at all after the third episode was over. That seems a pretty poor business strategy to me to be too cheap to even run episode previews for a show you’re getting cheap that in Canada was the #1 show of the summer. Whether it’s via ION (Listener, Flashpoint) or even CW (LA Complex), I just want the show to keep being available to us here… Read more »
I am not surprised at all by this move. Nbc put this on in the summer just to fill a spot in a summer schedule. I knew they would never truly support the show. well at least it made it past the 5 episode mark before they pulled the plug. hopefully CTV will make it to where we viewers who did like it will be able to watch it online. CTV gave it a season two. Nbc could have done it too being it wasn’t costing them much. I mean common they have a show about an animal hospital coming… Read more »
My husband & I will follow & buy the DVDs. Give us a chance to keep watching.
ION or a cable network will probally pick up the show. That’s better for them than networks (NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, CW) that demand results now.
As long as the finale and the second season is streaming online, I’m good to go :-). I don’t have cable at all, so I always have to wait until Friday to watch it (when they release the new episode online). I love Michael Shanks and I think the show has potential. I’ll definitely watch it.
[…] UPDATE: NBC has cancelled plans to air the remaining two episodes. They’ll be released online … […]
There’s a reason I don’t watch NBC. The first season is on iTunes. I’ll watch it there. I hope someone picks up the second season.
Absolutely I would, great actor, great show. Hope they dont screw up the script just because they want to cancel it.
I really enjoyed Saving Hope . I hope it can get picked up by cable. I will be hesitant to follow any NBC show this fall for fear they will leave another show unfinished.