After low ratings, the peacock network has pulled the plug on the series about a telepathic paramedic.
The Listener debuted on June 4th on NBC. Initially produced for Canadian networks, the drama revolves around a young paramedic (Craig Olejnik) who has the ability to hear other people’s thoughts. Through his job and abilities, he seeks to help those in need in any way he can.
Others in the cast include Lisa Marcos, Ennis Esmer, Mylene Robic, Arnold Pinnock, Anthony Lemke, Lara Jean Chorostecki, John Fleming, and Colm Feore.
On NBC, the show got off to a rocky start in the ratings. The two-hour premiere brought in 5.32 million viewers and just a 1.4/4 rating/share of the 18-49 demographic. Summer viewing expectations aren’t very high but it didn’t bode well that the program landed in third place in total viewers and the demo.
Things didn’t get any better for the later episodes. Last week, Listener’s numbers hit a series low with 3.3 million viewers and a tiny 0.7/2 rating in the demo. Even for Summer viewership, those numbers are quite poor for a major network.
 Loading ... |
As a result, NBC has decided to end The Listener’s run prematurely. Next week’s episode will be the last to air on the peacock network and repeats of Law & Order will fill the timeslot after that.
The remaining five episodes of Listener are expected to be streamed online in August. The 13 episodes have already aired in many countries across the world and will continue to run in Canada.
Word is that the first season ends with plenty of unresolved mysteries. There’s been no news about the possibility of a second season for The Listener as yet but, if there is, you certainly won’t be seeing it on NBC.
What do you think? A good call by NBC or were you looking forward to seeing more?
Image courtesy NBC.
The show is amazing. It has a great up and coming cast. It’s way different then the normal shows revolving around someone with powers. It’s a great show and what’d they expect to not advertise that much and to put it on in the summer when ratings aren’t even great in the first place. My opinion is NBC is making yet another mistake in their line ups. First cutting back on Chuck and now The Listener being pulled. But we can keep on shows like the biggest loser. I think this show had much more heart then the new show… Read more »
Keep the show! I didn’t know about the show until I saw it on hulu.com. I like it! It’s way better than some of the other c*** on network TV these days, in my opinion.
I thought the show started off slowly but picked up steam as it went on. I am disappointed that it is on the junk heap. I had become a regular viewer.
KEEP IT! KEEP IT! I love Craig Olejnik./
I am so bummed they cancelled the show! I agree with everyone else–this was not advertised well enough. I didn’t know it existed until I discovered it on Hulu halfway through the season.
This is a great show but I only knew about it because I browse hulu. I say it looks bad on NBC advertizers. We really like this show, lets see another season at least!
show is good, just needs to be advertised better. didnt even know it existed till i saw it on hulu.
“The Listener” is a great show. I am so disappointed that NBC has cancelled. I hope that NBC decides to not cancel or that another station picks it up.
Keep it running – NBC hardly has given anyone a chance to watch it. I’m personally a huge fan.
Bad move NBC – bad move.
NBC didn’t do a good job of advertizing enough of the show. I really love the show and as we all agree, it’s different. Hope to see the second season. NBC is cancelling now cancelling new shows after a few episodes? what’s wrong with them? are they nuts? Keep it running NBC. We all need new and different shows to watch.!
This is very sad news. I was really enjoying the Listener. I was beginning to get really invested in the characters and plotline, and now the scurfs (country slang) at NBC have thrown it away. Why is is that networks these days simply REFUSE to recognize good television?!?!?!?!?!?! Ugh, it is so FRUSTRATING!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m really disappointed. I watched the show for the first time last night and REALLY liked it. I was really excited about seeing another episode next week. So much for that…I don’t watch ANY shows online…it’s uncomfortable to sit at the computer and streams are so temperamental and frustrating to watch. I think they’re pulling the show far too prematurely. I don’t know of many shows that have a spectacular following in the first season. It takes a little bit of time for word to get around, so the viewer count usually doesn’t increase until after the first season, especially… Read more »
nbc and cbs have a bad repuation of cancelling good shows way too soon and now it looks like abc is starting to do the same thing
I definitely WON’T watch Law and Order, but changed channels from CBS just to watch The Listener! It was not advertised at all…I only knew about it because my brother is married to Ennis’s mother! Otherwise, I only watch CBS!
I love The Listener and I would love to see a second season. It’s different. There are so many Police Drama’s out there. The Listener is one of them but is even better because it has a hint of fantasy with a lot more mystery than just the crime itself. They should let the show go for another season and maybe even more.