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?
I’m sad to see this series end!!! It’s too bad it was cancelled! Sooooo sad!!!
I loved the show a will watch every episode in ion forever
itssosad. we fina fi how that i not al smuttbu is really entertaining nd s canceld . brinit back
I loved watching The Listener. It was interesting.not vulgar. Enjoyed the stories. Every time I find a good show they cancel it.
I wish the bring it back its a great show
I hate the way all my favorite shows get cancelled. I enjoyed Flashpoint every summer. Stupid shows like BIG BANG THEORY stay on while good shows are cancelled. Time scheduling screws up watching all my shows every week.
I think this show is only recently being appreciated in my market and should be renewed for another season
I just came searching to see when Season 6 would start airing and I’m so disappointed that there won’t be one! Like others have written, I grew to really care about the characters and thoroughly enjoyed the show.
I know all good things must come to an end, but I thought there would be at least one more season 🙁 Sad…………………………..
I love this show; I can’t believe it’s cancelled. It really does still have a lot of life in it. I was hooked after it aired on NBC and delighted when it was picked up by ION from Canadian TV. The Listener has so much appeal; the characters are great thanks to the wonderful cast. I measure a really good show by how I feel about the characters and the actors that portray them. I consider this group like family and friends that I want to hang out with. I am such a fan of Craig Olejnik. He is so… Read more »
I am catching up on any episodes I missed every Tuesday and Saturday on ION. I enjoy this show very much and I am very disappointed that there will not be a Seaon 6. Will miss two good friends who always got along no matter what the situation. Found the storylines very interesting. Hopefully ION will continue to carry this program as I could watch it many times more.
Wicked first four seasons. Fifth season was a let down. The original episodes were the best when he was a paramedic and helped random people. Kinda glad it’s over. Hopefully they play some original episodes!
That’s not fair we need to know
I’ve been waiting for some news for season 6….so I looked into it and I’m so so bummed to find out that there is NO SEASON 6!!!!!! WHY????????!
Sorry to learn that there will be no 6th season of The Listener. I t was a wonderful
show and I enjoyed it very much. Perhaps somebody can reconsider this not so smart decision.
I want to see them season 6. I loved this show and was sorry to hear it was canceled. There should be a season 6 to tie Toby’s past together and to know what really happened. It should be renewed.