Tonight marks the final episode of The Defenders for the season. How likely is the CBS freshman series to be back next fall with season two?
The Defenders follows a pair of lawyers operating out of Las Vegas. They’ll do just about anything for their Sin City clients, often taking on cases no one else will touch, and try to keep their sanity while doing it. The TV show stars veterans Jerry O’Connell and Jim Belushi as well as Jurnee Smollett, Tanya Fischer, and Gillian Vigman.
For its premiere, the series dominated its timeslot with a 2.9 in the coveted 18-49 demographic and 12.2 million total viewers. That put the new show in first place in both categories and essentially doubled the performance of ABC’s now-cancelled, The Whole Truth.
Unfortunately, The Defenders’ audience slowly eroded over the course of the season and by January had hit a new low of a 1.5 rating in the demo and 6.81 million viewers. CBS switched the series to Fridays in February and, not surprisingly, the ratings got worse. On Fridays, Defenders has averaged a 1.3 demo rating and that’s worse than what now-cancelled Medium was getting in the same timeslot.
If you look at the season averages, The Defenders is one of CBS’ worst performers. Though the network has not officially cancelled it yet, it is hard to imagine that CBS execs would consider renewing it for a second season.
What do you think? Should The Defenders be cancelled? Why do you think the series hasn’t attracted a bigger audience?
Image courtesy CBS.
Please do not cancel this show!! I look forward to it every week. It has humor and drama. Jim Belushi and Jerry O’ Donnell are perfect. I am so tired of serial killer shows and Defenders provides a light hearted drama. You kept changing the night it was viewed. Also, finally Friday night is shaping up with the Defenders and Blue Bloods!
I also say please don’t cancel this show. Part of the problem lies in the shuffling around of the shows. They don’t get a chance to establish the solid baseline of viewers anymore. The moment the ratings for the 18-49 crowd droop, they move the show. Like the Blue Bloods – Defender shuffle that took place earlier this year. And now they’re shoving this Chaos down our throats? Geez, if this same criteria had been in place 7 years ago, we wouldn’t have NCIS, let alone NCIS LA. Is the show too smart? Is it too hard for the American… Read more »
Don’t cancel The Defenders, was a great show. Wrong time slot, Friday & Saturday nights nothing survives.
GREAT SHOW, WE NEED MORE LIKE IT.
ONE OF THE ONLY HOUR LONG SHOWS WITHOUT VIOLENCE AND ANGER…..JUST DELIGHTFUL ENTERTIANMENT. DO NOT CANCEL! PUT IT ON AT A MORE POPULAR TIME SLOT (like 9 eastern time) LOVE THIS SHOW AND THE CAST!!!!
please, please do not cancel this show. schedule it at a good time slot and stop changing the day. this is one of the lighter “legal” shows that is delightful and entertaining. it’s about time we had this type of show without violence and anger!
KEEP IT ON!!!!
It didn’t get good ratings because CBS kept jerking it around at different time slots. Don’t blame the show – blame the execs. Bring it back in a good time slot and let it be seen.
This is one of the better shows on broadcast TV. Moving it to Friday night was a mistake on the part of CBS. It was hard for the audience to follow. It surely needs a second chance!!!
Great show and it deserves a second season.
I love the Defenders… I really hope they don’t cancel it. I look forward to watching it every week. I’m so tired of the so called reality tv that they keep putting out there because it is cheap!!
The reason the show has not been popular, the same reason Blue Blood was moved to a later time. Early Friday evening is not a popular time frame because adults are occupied with their kids weekend activities. Alot of people like myself DVR the show and watch later.
This show shows a much lighter side to the law and so delightfull and so entertaining!
P-l-e-a-s-e! do not cancel the Defenders!
It’s viewership is probably low because of Friday night time slot….does “on demand” count toward the ratings? Everyone I know watches and loves this show.
Please don’t cancel The Defenders. My husband & I look forward to watching it every week!
Please don’t cancel the Defenders. My husband and I love it and watch every episode. I record it for him if he has to work. It is a great show.
LOVE the show……..PLEASE renew it. Who doesn’t love Belushi!