NBC had high expectations for their new Thursday night action drama, The Player. Unfortunately, the ratings have not been good and the network has now cut the show’s episode order. Has the series already been cancelled or does it still have a shot at being renewed for a second season next year?
Set in Las Vegas, The Player follows a huge game in which world events are predicted, gambled upon and influenced by a shadowy elite. Controlling the game is the “The Pitt Boss,” a mysterious Mr. Johnson (Wesley Snipes). “The Dealer” is Cassandra (Charity Wakefield) and she recruits rogue FBI agent Alex Kane (Philip Winchester). As “The Player”, Alex is driven by the need to find out who killed his wife. Damon Gupton also stars.
Debuting on September 24th, The Player got off to a poor start in the ratings, averaging a 1.16 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 4.86 million viewers. The second episode’s numbers were even worse with the installment drawing a 0.95 in the demo and 4.58 million.
Week three’s numbers were worse and then the series hit new lows in week four with a 0.74 demo and 3.99 million. Last week’s episode did a little bit better but the numbers were frankly still terrible.
To be fair, The Player has had to contend with tough competition from NFL football games and ABC’s highly rated How to Get Away with Murder. Unfortunately, NBC doesn’t seem to be cutting this series any slack. While NBC’s Blindspot has received a full season order, the network has cut the The Player’s order down to nine episodes.
They’ve also already committed the show’s timeslot to other programming. In the new year, the Thursdays at 10pm timeslot will be taken over by new series Shades of Blue starring Jennifer Lopez and Ray Liotta.
Though NBC has not officially cancelled The Player yet, the ratings are so bad that it’s as good as cancelled. Barring a miracle and sudden upturn in the ratings, there’s just no way the network execs will want to order any more episodes.
But, what do you think? Have you been enjoying The Player TV series? Do you think it should be cancelled or saved and given more time to prove itself?
This is the best original show I’ve seen in a long time, now it may be canceled??!! Nooooo please don’t I loooove it!!!!! Like the majority of the comments I agree it’s in a very rough time slot. Consider moving it to another slot before you think about letting it go please. Loyal watcher already!!!!! Give it another chance…..
These networks are behind the times, noone watches
Live tv anymore. Everything is on demad thats why I do not invest in shows the minute you like a show it gets pull.
Love the show The Player! I agree it got a bad time slot competing with shows that already had a huge fan base. Give it another season and better time slot!!!
I am really very disappointed that this show is being cancelled. I feel It is In really bad time slot fighting against Thurs night NFL and be at the 10:00 slot which is too late for me. I have watched it faithfully but on-demand the next day and always look forward to the next week. It seems to have the same excitement as some of the competing stations for NCIS, Blue Bloods, Hawaii Five O, etc. it’s one of the better programs that NBC has to compete with the other stations. Please – Please don’t cancel the program — give… Read more »
Don’t cancel!
This is what I don’t get. All shows are rated by the 18-49 age group. It seems Nielson doesn’t care what the old (or young) people watch. Case In point, I was contacted by Nielson, to record what shows I watched. Then they asked my age (68) and I never heard from them again. I’m thinking I’m not the right age. Being retired, as a lot of baby boomers are, my life has slowed down quite a bit. There is a lot more time to watch television, which I do. But, at 68 my opinion is not important. Good thing… Read more »
This show has one of the most original story lines ever. Why on earth would you cancel it? Action packed with a story line. I just hope if NBC cuts it another smarter network picks it up!!
Whats sad is…probably no-one at NBC (the Nuthing But Commercials network) will see these posts. The big wigs at the network would NEVER admit that it was a mistake when they put it up against NFL football. I remember when ABC did something similar with a show called “DEFYING GRAVITY” on Sunday nights. All the while ABC kept proclaiming it the “Number one new show” or the “Breakout Science fiction” drama. Yet they didn’t even have the orbs to give it a chance and show all 13 original episodes like they did in other countries, so you had to ‘try’… Read more »
Nooo nbc!! Dont cancel the player! Best new show this year!
really good show don’t cancel it. maybe a difference timeslot. please think about it NBC
This a great show. I look forward to it every week. it has an original storyline and lots of action.
Please don’t cancel!!!
Keep the player. Its a good show! One of the best of the new ones this season!
This show is so good its worth staying on the air!
This is a fantastic show, I look forward to it every week just as I do Blindspot. It’s so original & not just cookie cutter copies of other shows, they should definitely leave this show on!
Great show….love it. Please do not cancel! Please!
Love this show! Tired of “cookie cutter” shows! Would love to see this on Saturday nights…Nothing playing at my house except DVR on Saturday night!