Why was 'MacGyver' canceled after Season 5? Fans demand Season 6 and start online petition to save CBS show
‘MacGyver’ fans were left shocked when they got to know that CBS has decided to end the series with Season 5. The network took the decision of canceling the series due to the continuous dip in the ratings, leaving fans upset with the realization that the season finale on April 30 will now act as a series finale.
In a statement obtained by Deadline, Kelly Kahl, President, CBS Entertainment, noted that he is “extremely grateful” to the entire cast and crew of ‘MacGyver’ for entertaining viewers with engaging storylines. He also shared that it is really an honor for him to give the loyal fan base a satisfying end.
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“The ‘MacGyver’ team traveled far and wide to repeatedly save the world with little more than bubble gum and a paper clip and made this show distinctly their own. We’re gratified we get to give this dedicated and loyal fan base the opportunity to say goodbye to their favorite characters in a thoughtful manner this series deserves,” Deadline quoted Kahl, as saying.
So, let’s find out the real reason behind the cancelation of ‘MacGyver’.
Why ‘MacGyver’ has been canceled
Low ratings seem to be the reason behind the show’s cancelation after five years. According to a report in TVSeriesFinale, the show’s ratings and viewing numbers were continuously getting low with each episode. The statistics show that Season 5 averaged around 4.8 million viewers as compared to 6.08 million for Season 4. On the other hand, ratings also did not help the show for getting a revival.
Season 4 averaged a 0.67 rating, while Season 5 is behind with a 0.51 rating.
The rating put ‘MacGyver’ as the 15th most-watched scripted show on CBS, just behind ‘NCIS: New Orleans’. On the surface, it doesn’t look so bad for ‘MacGyver’, but CBS has already canceled ‘NCIS: New Orleans’ for poor ratings, and it was inevitable that the network was looking to do the same with ‘MacGyver’.
Fans start a petition to save ‘MacGyver’
Fans did not waste any time in getting together and flooding the social media with requests to reviving the show for a new season. They even started a petition on Change.org to save the show. Titled ‘Save MacGyver’, the petition urges CBS to give a final season to the show.
The description of the petition reads, “Help us #SaveMacGyver and renew it for Season 6. There was so much more to be explored. But it was just snatched away for no apparent reason. If there is anything we fans have learned from this show, is that WE DONT GO DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT. MacGyver is a show that has got some of us through hell. It's been a bonding force between us and we are not ready to let it go without a proper goodbye.”
Aria D, the user who started the petition, also said that the “loyal fandom” deserves a “final hurrah” with one last season.
While writing the story, 10,681 people have signed the petition and requested the network to give ‘MacGyver’ one more season.
It will be interesting to see if the network decided to bring the show for one last season. However, things are looking really bleak for the TV series.
‘MacGyver’ returns to CBS with the season’s 14th episode on April 16 while the series finale will be telecast on April 21.