You may recall that NBC started airing a Canadian series called The Listener during the summer of 2009. It didn’t perform well so the network cancelled the show but it continued to perform well and be renewed in Canada. It was later picked up by the ION cable channel here in the states.
CTV has now decided to end the show after five seasons and 65 episodes. The series finale of The Listener will air on CTV on August 18th. No word on when ION will air the last episode.
Here’s the press release:
CTV Congratulates THE LISTENER on Five Incredible Seasons as Series Finale Confirmed to Air August 18
TORONTO, Aug. 6, 2014 /CNW/ – CTV announced today that after five seasons and 65 episodes, the hit original drama THE LISTENER will conclude on CTV on Monday, Aug. 18 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Produced by Shaftesbury in association with CTV and Fox International Channels, THE LISTENER premiered in June of 2009 on CTV.
“Thank you to Shaftesbury for delivering five straight seasons of this much loved series, and to the cast and crew for bringing its captivating stories to life,” said Phil King, President – CTV, Sports, and Entertainment Programming. “THE LISTENER provided a wonderful narrative arc over its 65 episodes, ending its run at the top of its game with a devoted following at home and around the world. It leaves a strong legacy of which we are immensely proud, and we look forward to working with Shaftesbury in the future.”
CTV is currently in development with Shaftesbury on OLD CITY HALL, a drama series based on the novels by Robert Rotenberg and set within the halls of criminal courts; and SMOKE AND MIRRORS, a drama about an illusionist returning home to Niagara Falls and using his extraordinary skills as a private detective.
“Thank you to CTV (Phil, Corrie, Mike, Trish, Tom and Rebecca) as well as our friends at Fox International Channels (Sharon and Andie) and Shine for taking this seven-year journey with us on THE LISTENER,” said Christina Jennings, Chairman and CEO, Shaftesbury. “From start to finish, CTV has been a wonderful broadcast partner. Not every series achieves 65 episodes, and we couldn’t have done it without our dedicated, hardworking family of cast — led by Craig Olejnik – and crew, most recently led by Peter Mohan — who are simply the best in the business. And, thanks of course to THE LISTENER fans – who grew over time.”
In the final episode, an epic story that has threaded its way through all five seasons comes to a gratifying conclusion as secrets from Toby’s (Craig Olejnik) past are finally brought to light. Also Michelle (Lauren Lee Smith), Toby, and Dev (Rainbow Sun Francks) find themselves in the extremely uncomfortable position of investigating their own boss. On clandestine orders from Judge Samuel Griffin (Bruce Gray) and Deputy Commissioner Earl Bamford (Brian Paul) of the IIB, the team must look into Becker’s (Anthony Lemke) dealings with Curtis Maynard (Noam Jenkins), a disgraced former cop with connections to drug dealing.
THE LISTENER was green-lit by CTV in December 2007 and premiered June 3, 2009 on SPACE and CTV. The series instantly became a hit, debuting at #1 in its 10 p.m. timeslot on CTV with an audience of 1.1 million viewers, and went on to average nearly one million viewers in Canada in its first season. In the years that followed, THE LISTENER continued to connect with audiences, averaging 1.1 million viewers. THE LISTENER has been licensed in over 120 markets – including the U.S. (ION Television), U.K., Italy, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, Mexico, Japan, Korea, Poland, Brazil and Turkey – and is seen in 33 languages worldwide.
THE LISTENER Season 5 airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CTV and CTV GO, with the series finale broadcast on Monday, Aug. 18. Viewers can catch encore episodes Saturdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, Sundays at 7 p.m. ET/PT on CTV Two (visit CTV.ca for local broadcast times), and Fridays at 10 p.m. ET on Bravo (visit bravo.ca for local broadcast times). The day after each episode of THE LISTENER airs on CTV, viewers can watch the full episode on CTV.ca and the CTV GO app.
The cast of THE LISTENER includes Craig Olejnik as telepathic crime-solver Toby Logan; Lauren Lee Smith as Integrated Investigative Bureau (IIB) Sergeant Michelle McCluskey; Ennis Esmer as Toby’s best friend, Oz Bey; Rainbow Sun Francks as IIB security and technical expert Corporal Dev Clark; Kris Holden-Ried as Adam Reynolds, Michelle’s reformed gambler husband; Melanie Scrofano as crime reporter Tia Tremblay, Toby’s girlfriend; Anthony Lemke as IIB Supervising Inspector Brian Becker; and Natalie Krill as forensics technician Alex Kendrick.
THE LISTENER is broadcast on CTV and Bravo in Canada, ION Television in the United States, Fox International Channels internationally, and distributed by Shine International. Produced by Shaftesbury in association with CTV and Fox International Channels, the series is executive produced by Christina Jennings, Scott Garvie, Craig Olejnik, and Peter Mohan (LOST GIRL, THE BRIDGE), who is also showrunner. Tina Grewal (HEARTLAND) is producer. Sharon Tal Yguado is executive producer for Fox International Channels. Tom Hastings and Rebecca DiPasquale are production executives for Bell Media. Trish Williams is Director, Independent Production, Bell Media and Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. Mike Cosentino is Senior Vice-President, Programming, CTV Networks, Bell Media. Phil King is President, President CTV Sports and Entertainment Programming. THE LISTENER is produced with the financial participation of The Canadian Film or Video Tax Credit and The Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit.
What do you think? Did you like The Listener? Are you sory that there won’t be a sixth seasoon?
Why do all the good shows get cancelled???
Bring it back!!
Can not believe you all cancelled one of the best shows around. I hope another producer company station picks this up
Why do all of the programs that I love to watch. I would love to see it back on.
why do series if they got cancelled almost always, it’s a wast of time and money, if you want to make the series, do it but finish the history.
I don’t understand why it was dropped. I’ve been watching since the beginning and I feel that the last episode wasn’t enough to wrap things up. Too many questions unanswered. I do hope they will reconsider.
This is another of my favorite show. I always looked forward to each new episode. Don’t cancel it.
Why???
Please, we need Season 6 to finalize the show. I know, most shows end with a cliff hanger. But, please, I am asking that you return with Season 6 for The Listener.
I only stumbled on the show, in its 5th Season, and I just fell in love with it. I am now watching all re-runs on Bravo and CTV.
I have no interest in any the reality non sense on tv. Shows, like The Listener, is great.
Thank you!
miss honeybee
Season 6! I want it. How abt the full story of Toby’s past, and his real last name
I really hope ION will make a season 6. This is and awesome show.
same here. Hope they don’t end the show yet
season 6 please!!!!!!!!!!!
Time Warner has ION stuck on a remote digital channel and i just discovered this show.
With no streaming from ION and no DVDs available for US players, i hope the series becomes more generally available since it’s out of production, which would be ironic. I don’t doubt this gem slowly dwindled the way it’s been kept hidden.
I really liked this serie and its progression from the first season to the last season (5). I will definitely miss de season 6. I hope CTV will change their opinion and take a return of this serie like it happend with many other “american” series over the past few years.
I really liked the first and the second season but then this excellent show becomes suddenly very boring. Initially the tandem of two paramedics was a very good idea original and well done but then they change the story and transform it into something very ordinary and predictable. I stopped to watch it in the middle of season 3. Not a surprise that this show wasn’t renewed.
Nice family show , true stories , a beautifull dream , it should to be continue …
Just found this show last several months and as usual, that means the kiss of death – due to the fact that I liked it! Guess is just didn’t have enough sex and violence and gore for most viewers. Too bad.
I agree with you Rosalie , I love the show , it is exciting , the story lines are great, keeps you wondering….. I just love it. with all those blood and guts shows on these days, do we wonder why are there so many copy cat crimes out there?