Major Crimes might be dead after six seasons on TNT, but could the cancelled procedural resurrect on a streaming service like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon or CBS All Access?
In a lengthy Facebook post, series creator James Duff opened up on the challenges of finding a new digital or cable home for the show:
Couldn’t Major Crimes continue on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon or CBS All access? Or even another cable company? This answer has two parts.
Transferring Major Crimes to a streaming platform would probably be a net plus in subscriptions for the company that took the risk. I am sure a large part of our audience would follow. But the acquisition of Major Crimes would be purely a business decision.
There was a time, in the not too distant past, when executives would not have cared from whence a decent drama or comedy originated, as long as it drew a crowd on the day-of-air. Today, most programming chiefs ask themselves, “But does this a show reflect my brand?” or, “Will this drama/comedy make my company some place the ‘cool kids’ avoid?” Though I think this is a little like suggesting people will change grocery stores if the Kettle Potato Chips are too near the Pringles, there are people who take this notion quite seriously. It’s possible my grasp of the concept is muddied; I have never cared about being cool. Anyway! I don’t believe the audience was watching Major Crimes because it was on TNT; I believe they were watching TNT in order to see Major Crimes. I could be wrong.
Another impediment to going elsewhere: Major Crimes is the property of Warner Brothers Television Studio; most other distribution platforms are focused on not only airing new shows, but also owning them. This is a bit of inside baseball (and I promise not digress into a discussion about the Sherman Anti-Trust Act), but it is a challenging factor in deciding where else Major Crimes could live. Which leads me to my next question.
Number 2: When I previously cited financial decisions, did I mean that the show had grown too expensive?
No. The budget for our series actually dipped this year from where it should have been by more than a quarter-of-a-million dollars per episode. If I may be allowed to add one more general observation, success is almost always cheaper than failure. Developing new shows is difficult in this age of television saturation. Still. TNT must decide where its money is best invested, not I, and their strategy could be the right one.
Number 3: What did Mary McDonnell mean in her Instagram post when she wrote that the “handwriting was on the wall” for the end of the show.
We already knew that TNT wanted to cancel us, and had been told (twice before) that we were in our last season. That’s a big clue that your show could go away.
In short, it seems Major Crimes won’t find its way out of TNT’s graveyard anytime soon, if at all.
The sixth and final season of Major Crimes releases October 31, 2017 on TNT.
Did TNT cancel Major Crimes too early? Would you follow Major Crimes Season 7 to Amazon, Hulu, Netflix or another cable outlet? Should cancellation mean cancellation?
Stay tuned for potential updates on the unlikely resurrection of Major Crimes Season Seven…
Doug in SF says
I watched TNT for one hour a week because Major Crimes was on it. I didn’t watch Major Crimes because it was on TNT. Now I will un-favorite TNT from my channel list when Major Crimes finishes.
Kristen M Judge says
I totally agree. Major Crimes was the only reason to be watching tnt. I will not be watching it anymore. I am so sick of them canceling the best shows because they thinks it’s financially a good decision. I don’t see how canceling their most watched show is making them more money and bringing in more viewers. They just lost millions of those viewers that turned on Major crimes across all platforms.
Marie - Denmark says
I only watch TNT because of Major Crimes and I would follow the best crime show ever to another home……
Nicole says
I would follow the #BestShow everywhere! #MajorCrimesIsAFeeling and rocks around the world! #SaveMajorCrimes ❤ 10 million viewers can’t be wrong and would follow to another network!
Didi says
Major Crimes is family !!!
Major Crimes has 10 million viewers and TNT doesn’t care… They say MC can’t attract younger public?, They aren’t cool enough??
Well I feel discriminated! So with my 39 years I’m OLD !?!?! And there are kickass young people playing in Major Crimes!!
And every actor in MC is still kickass and it’s the best Crime show ever!!! They have an Oscar nominated actress Mary McDonnell so TNT what the ??????
The actors are the best for their fans!
So Please help us to #SaveMajorCrimes!
Radka says
I tjo9that we all watch TNT for Major crimes. We will fallow our favorite show wherever it go. So #savemajorcrimes #bestshowever #MajorCrimes
Martha says
I watch TNT BECAUSE of Major Crimes. It’s the only show I watch on that channel. Major Crimes is a fantastic show with a wonderful cast. I will follow it wherever it goes, and I will not be watching anything else on TNT. Major Crimes IS the best show ever!! #SaveMajorCrimes
Cathy says
Major Crimes is the only show left on TNT that I still watch. I don’t care for their new shows. I would follow Major Crimes to any network. Quality show!
Danielle Clark says
Loyal fans will follow this show where ever necessary, not one of us watched it purely for TNT
Michelle says
Well, I’m done with TNT after Major Crimes ends. After Rizzoli and Isles left, that was the only thing keeping me coming to TNT, was Major Crimes. I love my #MajorCrimesFamily…all 10 million of us. Hey, Amazon, Hulu, or Netflix? Can you help us out and #SaveMajorCrimes?
Amiee says
TNT is NOT why I watch Major Crimes! I watch Major Crimes because I love the show! It just happens to be on a network that I will not be watching again when MC is gone.
Kat says
I cut the cord. Netflix, HULU plus, Amazon, Major Crimes would definitely be on my watch list. That show was the only reason for TNT.
Joan says
To repeat the current sentiment….I watch TNT because of Major Crimes, only because of Major Crimes!
The creators and writers made the transition seamlessly from the Kera Sedwick lead character to the ensemble theme we have grown to love!
Another Network should jump at the chance to pick it ! (Are you listening Amazon??)
Joan
Emma Aitken says
YES YES YES. TNT cancelled Major Crimes far too early! The show is still amazing and not only provides diversity (age, gender, ethnicity, etc.) but great procedural dramas that link to the world we live in. I cannot wrap my head around WHY any Network, at least one that honours its audience, would cancel such a successful show. Given how Major Crimes has been consistently treated by TNT it is clear that they have tried to kill the show – changing air times, poor publicity etc were all aimed at hitting the audience. This tactic totally failed and TNT was forced to show its true colours (they aren’t very nice by the way…). I’m not ready to have this universe end now and will follow the show wherever it goes, whatever format it takes. Its contribution to society and culture is too important.
W Hoffman says
I’ll follow Major Crimes to a new network or platform if it gets picked up. I liked Rizzoli & Isles, The Last Ship, still like The Magicians, & The Librarians. I enjoy a good story with good actors. You can’t put views in little boxes & package your content or brand for one type or demo-graph. Create & produce quality shows & you’ll get viewers. Major Crimes proves that.
Debbie Giannamore . says
I watched TNT For one reason only . Major Crimes . I will also drop TNT like a flaming hot potato the minute it ends . This show had stellar actors knocking it out of the park every week it was on . I do not understand TNTs twisted reasoning . I hope our family of actors and actresses will find another home together , but if not I hope they find jobs elsewhere , especially Mary and Tony . I love them all but M and T are my favs and my heart is breaking at the thought of not seeing them weekly .
Gail says
I would definitely follow Major Crimes. One of the best ensemble casts ever.