NBC’s crime drama, The Hunting Party, has officially been canceled after its second season. This show, created by JJ Bailey and starring Melissa Roxburgh, was part of NBC’s lineup but struggled to gain viewers.
Despite its cancellation, there is hope it may find a new home. Universal Television, which produced the show, plans to pitch it to other platforms. Netflix, which currently streams the series in the U.S., seems like a good fit for a potential renewal.
The decision to cancel The Hunting Party comes after NBC took extra time to assess its performance. Typically, shows in limbo face tough odds. Jeff Bader, NBCUniversal’s President of Program Planning Strategy, acknowledged that the show’s ratings and viewership didn’t meet their expectations. “We need to try and do a little bit better,” he emphasized.
Interestingly, while The Hunting Party didn’t perform well in traditional ratings, it saw a boost in streaming viewership. Its first season was added to Netflix in February, generating strong interest. However, this bump didn’t translate into significant linear ratings for Season 2.
Streaming services are increasingly influencing the fate of shows. A recent survey found that 70% of viewers now prefer to watch shows online rather than through traditional TV. This shift puts pressure on networks to adapt. For The Hunting Party, this means its success on platforms like Peacock and Netflix could sway future considerations, even after its cancellation.
In the end, NBC opted for new scripted series instead, including drama reboots like The Rockford Files. Bader mentioned the network’s tight schedule and need to balance sports and entertainment, explaining the hard choices they faced.
Despite the loss of The Hunting Party, the conversations around its streaming success show how the viewing landscape is changing. Future shows may need to find their stride online before impressing traditional audiences. For a deeper dive into the trends in streaming media, you can check out this Nielsen report that details shifting viewer habits.
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