This news doesn’t come as a surprise. CBS has pulled their new Saturday night drama, The Bridge, after just three episodes. Though it’s been cancelled in the US, the TV show will continue.
The Bridge follows Frank Leo (Aaron Douglas), a charismatic cop who’s voted unanimously to become the leader of the police union. He ends up fighting crime on the streets while also battling corruption on the force. The series features Douglas, Frank Cassini, Michael Murphy, Ona Grauer, Paul Popowich, and Theresa Joy.
The TV show debuted on Saturday, July 10th with two episodes. Per the overnights, the first episode attracted a tiny 0.5 rating in the 18-49 demographic and just 2.98 million viewers. It was easily beaten by repeats of Cops and America’s Funniest Home Videos.
The second episode of The Bridge drew a 0.5 rating in the demo and viewership increased to a still meager 3.51 million. It was trounced by America’s Most Wanted but did beat a repeat of ABC’s struggling Scoundrels.
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Last Saturday night, the show’s ratings dropped even lower, to a 0.3 rating in the demo and 2.88 million viewers. It came in last place in the demo and third place in total viewers (beating NBC’s Persons Unknown).
The network has clearly not had any faith in the TV show from the beginning, airing it on the least-watched night of TV. The network has pulled it off the schedule with 10 unaired episodes left. Cancelled Cold Case reruns will take their place. CBS has made no indication that they plan to air the remaining Bridge installments at a later date or make them available online.
In Canada, it’s another story for The Bridge. CTV began airing the series in March and completed the season in May. The run was successful enough for CTV to order a second season for Canadian viewers.
Unfortunately, unless another network decides to pick up the series, it doesn’t look like viewers in the United States will see the rest of season one or season two.
What do you think? Did you like The Bridge? Should it have been cancelled by CBS? Would you watch it on another channel or on DVD?
Image courtesy CBS.
I liked “The Bridge.” It was going to take a commitment on the viewer’s part to follow the story and all the intrigues going on in the department and city hall, much like “DaVinci’s Inquest,” but I thought it was going to be worth it. It is light years better than “Good Guys,” although that may not be a fair comparison for “The Bridge.” Would I continue to watch it if it were shown on another channel? Definitely. There are so many programs on network TV right now that are mindless pap. “The Bridge” makes you work to follow the… Read more »
Its what the internet is for. I watch British Shows all the time before they air later here in america. If i was a fan of this Bridges I would be checking into some Canada Links.
Just a suggestion.
I loved The Bridge – excellent storyline and excellent acting. Was looking forward to at least a full season. Guess I’ll buy the DVD’s when available. There have been times that the ION channel carries original programming from Canada. Guess I’ll check ION more frequently, it’s evident that a CBS doesn’t care.
Loved it. A cop show with a new premise. Guess CBS thinks we’re not smart enough to get it.
I loved this show and can’t believe it was canceled after only two episodes. Come on, CBS give it more of a chance than that…like putting it on a night where it has a chance. I’d love to see the rest of the shows and would be willing to watch them on DVD if that’s necessary.
Too bad that CBS doesn’t think 2.88 million viewers aren’t enough to keep the series on! It is a very good show and I’m sorry to think that CBS is not going to give it a chance. There are some people who do not go out on Saturday nights and would enjoy the series!
You didn’t give this show enough time and I would definitely watch it any night of the week over silly reality tv shows. It’s not fair to put it on for a few days, during prime vacation season, and then cancel this show? Ridiculous. This was one of the best shows I have seen in a long time and both my husband and I were anxiously waiting to see the next episode…..only to find Cold Case is on….not happy about this one!
I am stunned. The first 3 episodes were to my mind amoing the best shows available on TV. I haven’t watched a series for perhaps 25 years- the pablum is not enough to hold my attention. But this show was riveting and compelling. What is wrong with our national psyche when a show like this cannot make it because the airwaves need to be left open for the drek that fills them. Shame, shame.
My husband and I loved this show. It is the first one in years that we looked forward to watching together (or recording to watch later since you aired it on a Saturday night). Why would you cancel it to show reruns?
It is the only new show that captured and held my total attention from the start to end! I truly hope that a cable station will have the sense to pick it up!!
This cancellation is sheer crap. Another indication of the US tv viewers failure to recognise quality programing.
CBS is so stupid, was a great show. i am going to see if i can get the canadian channel.
Another great show cancelled by a bunch of “suits” who arbitrarily decide what people should watch. I guess “Big Brother” really does exist. What a shame.
I loved this show — what is the matter with CBS??? I surely hope they show the other 10 episodes. I loved the maain chracter and the stories.
This show was highly entertaining and I am extremely disappointed that CBS would cancel it!