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?
Loved this show and would love to see it continue. The storylines are excellent. I am sure that if more episodes were made it would have a great following. Pleasekeep going.
So sad to see you cancilled. Great cast, great writing, great directing and camera work.
What else is there. Bring it back. We need more!!!!!!
We just found you. Just ordered all seasons on DVD. Is there any chance it will be brought back for new epsodes?
Great job. Can’t get enough.
Paul Boutross
Chicago Illinois
USA
I really liked the listener and is still on ION in reruns. I liked it better when Toby was a paramedic but I also knew things would have to change. I recorded some of the shows so I can watch when everi want
This was and is a Fantastic show which should have been renewed for at least another seasons. The story lines between the characters could have played out for at least 2 more seasons. The network executives really blew this one!
Just found this show this year on ion. I have taped all the episodes I could find and I am so sorry to hear that it has been canceled. I think the show just wasn’t marketed well so others would know about it.
I am totally disappointed that the Listener will not return. I found it on ION and enjoyed it immensely. Thought season 4 was it and was happy to see a 5 was coming. Today I was looking to see when 6 was starting, but instead found it cancelled. Good stories , better than half the shows on main networks. So disappointed. Watching the reruns again. Hope to see the actors again. Now I need to find another show with good actors and good story lines.
Im heartbroken that its over i love this show and wish it was still on.
i love this show why cancel entire cast great our entire family loves it
I agree it was one of the best tv shows on tv today. Clean and desent. Not everyone likes unclean movies my opinion. I say bring on the 6,7,8,9th and so on series. Probably It will return soon.
They need to save this show. I’m tired of reality show .
I love the show. I have only been watching I for a few month now, getting caught up waiting reruns. I hate that it was canceled. All these stations are canceling all the good shows. I thing these mangers or CEO’s of all the TV stations that there is not violence and/or sex in it. I am here to say not everybody wants to watch sex and violence all the time. Yall need to bring back the show CTV. I want to see how Tia & Toby works out and if Oz finally finds someone special.
My sister told me about this series. I really enjoy it & am sorry it’s been cancelled. Guess it’s not gory enough for the American audience.
Not everyone in the US likes the gore, foul language, and sex. I’ve enjoyed this show immensely and wish it was not cancelled. I think it was not promoted well enough. I happened across it while surfing for something that I could watch with my 20 something daughter. Very disappointed in its cancellation.
I loved this show every time I find a good program you all cancel them it Sucks
I absolutely love the listener and I really wish that they would continue with the show. It makes me sad that they’re not going to. Every time I find a TV show that I like they end up canceling it. It almost makes you not want to watch any of them just so you don’t get disappointed because they quit airing the shows. Most of my favorite TV shows are on Ion and so many of them have been cancelled :'(
Its a great show! We recently dumped cable so we have found different group of shows to watch and this one is at the top! It just seemed like it was picking up pace and getting more interesting as more people were learning of his gift! Well there are 2 votes over here to say keep going!!!
Definitely need to continue this show. Not only are the story lines wonderful, but the actors are top of the line. Wish they could understand that there is a huge following now in the U.S. and we are ready for more!!!