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.
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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.
Like the previous post stated, this show is the only reason I turned on my television on Thursday. I think it’s a load of bull the show was cancelled!!! Also like Tom Feragne says, What is the point of coming up with these “fan-tastic” shows just to pull them weeks later. If the network doesn’t feel that confident about a show they’re about to premiere, then don’t air it. The only thing they accomplish is pissing alot of people off when they pull a show right in the middle of a viewing.
To the NBC brass… you are all idiots. This show was the only reason I turned on the TV Thursdays. How can you be so blind to its potential? With no Heroes, and Medium moving to CBS, there’s no reason for me to tune in anymore. Tom Feragne’s right… I might as well just watch programs selectively via Hulu, and your network ‘programming’ be damned. You’ve got nothing left to offer me. Not even Dateline; that’s how upset I am. And even though I actually liked Leno, you won’t catch me watching him again either. Why? Cause you got us… Read more »
i wanted more i loveee this show
My friends and I are very upset this show was canceled. It was a good show with great potential
NBC is so frustrating. The come up with these “fan-tastic” shows and then cancel them. I’m going to echo a previous comment when I say, I remember when shows got at least 2 or three seasons for plot and character development. I find myself “netflixing” old TV shows from the 80’s and 90’s just so that I have something to watch. Ahh, but then a network puts out a truly good show and I get hooked, then they cancel it. NBC, if you’re listening, you’re penny wise and pound foolish. You’re never going to replace your “starters” if you don’t… Read more »
Please let there be second season.. i love the show.. i love Craig Olejnik..
this isnt rite, im sorry tht i dont watch the crap tht nbc likes to put on such as a ” im a celebrity get me out of here”…..seriously….thts freakin insulting! they let two episodes and and they freakin drop it!
This is one of the few TV series I am able to really get into. It is so unfortunate that a good show, like this one, has to get canceled so early on. The poor thing barely had a chance.
whats wrong with nbc? they cancel everything that is worth watching and leave junk on. the listener and crusoe are two good examples. i love both and would like them to continue.
I just finished watching the final episodes on Hulu. I can’ believe NBC pulled it out! Moves like this make it obvious why they are the lowest ranked network. I hope another network picks it up and shows season 2 in the fall.
I am just sick, absolutely sick that NBC cancelled The Listener. Personally I think it was the best show on the air. Here NBC puts on a piece of junk TV like I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here that absolutely insults the viewer intelligence and they cancel a series that I thought was the best they’ve had in a very, very long time. I want it back so bad. I went to see if we could watch it on Canadian TV online but they won’t show the videos in the US. Maybe they are mad because our stupid… Read more »
I watch the show on Hulu.com and since it is owned by major networks you would think they would count these number. Then again a lot of people torrent their TV especially if Hulu or some other legal option is not there. Great show I really hate to see it go.
-Tucker
I’m so tired of all the good shows that get cancelled way too early into their “careers”. It used to be they would give shows 2 good seasons to determine if there was a following. When you’re up against other shows, other channels, and minimal advertising, it takes time, won’t be instantanious. Pushing Daisies, Eli Stone, and other recent shows I could name have all been tossed to the side in favor of other look-a-like knockoffs that aren’t what is entertaining the populace any longer. Maybe they should speak to the people at Hulu, see whats popular, they’ll be in… Read more »
I was looking forward to seeing more, but I am glad they posted the rest of the season online instead of just dropping it completely.
Come on it about time that these networks realize that the viewers are online, downloading, its a reason why the viewer figures are down on ever tv show out in the past 10 years. ever since online viewing and downloading has gotten easier its more efficent to wait for a pdtv/hdtv rip than it is to rush aroudn and watch on tv, also havign to watch adverts on tv for around 15-45 mins every show is just boring. so open your eyes and ears and join the onlien era its simple isnt going to go away and will help you… Read more »