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.
Kept Waiting for new shows. Checked on line finding The Defenders was canceled. My sister in another state and I in Va. have busy lives so copy this and other favorite shows to make sure we don’t miss any. We then watch at a time we are free to REALLY enjoy. Next phone call we discuss plots, etc. This is 2012 not the 60’s or 90’s. Throw your old methods of viewer counting away and allow for new electronics. Bring Back THE DEFENDERS.
this was the most entertaining show we have seen in recent years, im not sure what people are choosing to watch but they truely are missing a great show. I am shocked this show may be canceled. Please do not even consider this CBS!!!
I too just watched all the episodes on Netflix. We don’t watch much regular TV anymore, particularly any TV series type shows. Please take into consideration the viewers who don’t watch much regular TV and who do a lot of online viewing. This is a great show and the interaction between the Characters keep you watching.
i think it should be renewed,i think its a great show
Please please don’t cancel this show…… please….my mother and I loved this show…. give it angother chance with a decent timeslot (there is nothing on saturday nights)
Please, don’t cancel! One of the best most entertaining shows I’ve seen out of CBS in a long time! Characters are endearing & story line is always both captivating and comical!
The show is great and should be renewed.
Please don’t cancel this show. I really love the camraderie between Jim Belushi and Jerry O’connell. It’s a really good show. Maybe CBS should do more to promote it!
Please, don’t cancel the show. The comment about the Netflix was right. I just came across the show on Netflix and was totally taken by it.
do they also take in account for the ppl that dvr tv shows since thats waht ppl do now adays
CBS execs should look at the popularity of the show on Netflix not the ratings of hard working people who really don’t have the time to watch in those time slots. But on there time we watch the how and we really like it
I just watched the entire season on netflix. I would love to continue watching. Question.. Do ratings take into consideration online viewing I dont know anyone who still watches regular TV except my retired parents!
i really like the show , PLEASE don’t cancel it
I hope they dont cancel it. It is a great show and for have over 6.5 MILLION viewers…that is awsome. Why cancel it then. OMg i hope they dont!
Don’t cancel please bring it back!!