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?
This is crap ! It’s not fair, I love this show ! It’s one of the best shows out there bar none.
I love the program. Please continue playing the reruns.
I enjoyed watching the television program “The Listener” I wish they would continue the show. I hated when they killed off Toby’s girlfriend the Doctor. If they do not make any new one’s please play the reruns.
I cant believe your taking away my favorite show I set my tv to record it so I wouldn’t miss any episodes
Liked the show a lot. I certainly would like the reruns to continue if not new shows.
Are u kidding me I have only ever watched 3 series my whole life supernatural which I still watch the returned US which they also stopped which made me angry and and this which I’ve watched last few weeks and watched last ep of season 5 tnite and gutted to read not going to be anymore MADNESS and I’m also a tad peed off I was looking forward to knowing everything about Toby his family his brother ect at least do a 1 off to tell the story ect this is the reason I don’t watch series very disappointed
I really loved the show, watching on ION every Tuesday and Saturday. I didn’t know at first, that it was canceled. I am sorry there was no Season 6.
I didn’t know about it originally, so I thought it was a new show, telling my friends about it as if it was new!
It will be missed.
I loved this show, it’s somuch better than what they are putting out now!!!!!! I’m really disappointed that they would cancel it.
Seriously why would anyone stop the show when it was getting intresting what about his baby brother do they ever meet? Like come on why stop things when the ball is rolling why not get a strike and win the game
I’m tired of these stations cancelling good shows in favor of the filth they show. I guess Listener didn’t have enough sex, filthy talk and perverts on it to keep making it. To just leave everyone hanging over what happened with Tobi is just wrong….
I love the show. Seattle is a great setting instead of New York, Los Angeles, or Las Vegas. The show has many twists and turns on par with Columbo with the culprit finally getting caught. It has a nice edge with characters much more interesting than say Bones which is a show that probably should end.
I am sorry that there isn’t going to be a sixth season. I like this TV show very much. I watched every single episode, and I finished all five seasons in two or three weeks. It would be nice if they continue with making new seasons. I really hope, that the companies and producers will change their mind about this show.
So to see it go
Ridiculous. Here in the US shows like The Listener are popular IF they actually continue long enough to answer questions that show up like what happens to Toby with the headaches, his mother, brother, his best friend now single, the organization that killed the woman cop protecting him and Frank in season one and so many little niggling questions. The way they ended the series was ridiculous and left all the lovers of the show with a deep hole in their gut wondering wtheck happened and why to the series. Honestly, I’d love to see the original cast back, but… Read more »
We loved the Listener and hope it some how comes back