‘Longmire’ season 4: A&E exec says ownership, not viewers’ age, reason for no renewal
Well, we knew that this was going to be coming sooner rather than later: A&E being forced to defend themselves for the stunning move to not renew “Longmire” for a fourth season. With that being said, they may have messed this one up pretty badly.
We don’t want to put our analysis before the quote itself, so let’s start off with the hard facts. Included in a great piece by Annabelle Gurwitch in The Hollywood Reporter (added by the publication’s editor), an executive at the network had the following to say about the belief that the show was canceled because its viewers were “too old” to be valuable:
“The issue with Longmire is more about the ownership than the age of the audience. The studio model is broken and networks just aren’t able to monetize series that underperform in the key demos advertisers covet if they don’t own a piece of it.”
So basically, the exec says that it is the fault of the show coming from Warner Horizon and not from A&E itself, and not from the show having older viewers; then, they go on to say that it is actually still the older viewers that are the problem. If the show had younger viewers, by this logic, the network would be able to “monetize” the show.
The issue that we have here, other than the fact that the entire ratings and advertising system are both somewhat broken, is that this feels like the network is not really owning their move. We would prefer hearing something along the lines of “the show just isn’t making us enough money, and we don’t have the time or the patience to go through the process of proving to advertisers that older viewers matter.” We still wouldn’t like that, but we would at least understand it further.
Clearly, there was a problem somewhere with “Longmire” that made A&E want to make this decision. We don’t think that a network would willingly can a show and face this backlash unless they had a reason for it, however heartless that may be for those are invested. With that being said, there were dozens of ways that the entire situation could have been handled better, instead of now having thousands of fans online saying that they will no longer watch your network ever again. You could have been transparent with your issues sooner, more transparent with them now, or looked for a partner to help front some of the costs to make the bottom line smaller. This is what AMC did in order to make “The Killing” season 3 happen.
We wrote earlier this week about the show’s hunt for a new suitor, and stressed within there that there are still plenty of reasons to have hope for the show’s future. It’s a good piece to check out if you have time this weekend.
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Photo: A&E
apr
October 12, 2014 @ 2:59 pm
Bring longmire back. A&E we no longer watch your network. Especially since you think older Americans are not worth your time.
TexasRose
October 10, 2014 @ 5:34 pm
I am very upset with A&E Longmire was my favorite show. Now I no longer watch this channel.
Lari
October 4, 2014 @ 3:23 am
I’m in my 50’s and I watched Longmire every week, that’s the only reason I watched A&E!
todd
September 22, 2014 @ 3:06 am
well I agree that a&e lost my viewership. I am way to old for most the shows that they have on. not into watching the tattoo shows and how many times can we watch the duck dynasty brag of himself. guess that one good drama show is to much.
jerry
September 22, 2014 @ 2:06 am
And i am 34 me and my kids watch it. It is not filthy trash like the rest of the garbage mindwash on tv
jerry
September 22, 2014 @ 2:04 am
Need longmire for the most part other tv is useless dont cancel this show pleeeeaaaase
Feists
September 21, 2014 @ 4:06 pm
A&E = Permanent boycott at my house.
ghjcmo
September 21, 2014 @ 11:59 am
One small quibble with the article. The ratings and advertising system is not “somewhat” broken, it’s VERY broken. #LongLiveLongmire
catpie9
September 21, 2014 @ 4:28 am
I am one of the older viewers that watched Longmire every week and needless to say I am very upset with A & E and will try now not to watch anything that is on it….they get a show that is a good entertaining show and then cancel it, I am another that would love to see it follow Hell on Wheels now that would be a good night of TV
Tom Brown
September 21, 2014 @ 2:59 am
Is there anyone fans can contact at this point in the process to voice support for the show? Maybe WB could be persuaded to let a network have some residual interest in the show? Pls advise if you have any suggestions on who to contact.
Pamela
September 21, 2014 @ 6:48 am
Tom, the Loongmire Posse is working tirelessly to help support Longmire and the producers efforts to find a new hone, You can find us on Twitter and Facebook.
emnboysmom
September 20, 2014 @ 8:32 pm
I’d love to see AMC pick up Longmire–I think it would be a great fit for their Saturday night lineup. Hell on Wheels and then Longmire on one night and on one network would be terrific! Longmire was the only reason I was still watching A&E. Don’t need reality TV; I have my own life, thanks.