Devoted followers of Hallmark’s beloved series, “Chesapeake Shores,” received disheartening news about the show’s upcoming sixth season, slated to air in the summer, being its final installment. The bittersweet revelation indicated that following the broadcast of 10 episodes in the ultimate season, the series will conclude. Initially, when Hallmark made the announcement about the show’s cancellation, the network didn’t provide explicit reasons for ending the series. However, later on, Hallmark did disclose the rationale behind this decision.
Ending ‘Chesapeake Shores’ on a High: The Network’s Intentions Revealed
Hallmark’s official Twitter account responded to inquiries about the cancellation of “Chesapeake Shores,” expressing pride in the show’s impact and its natural conclusion. The channel emphasized concluding the series on a high note during its upcoming sixth and final season, scheduled to premiere later in the summer.
However, the network’s explanation didn’t appease all fans. One user, Dalynne Grover, compared it to the cancellation of another show, “Good Witch,” lamenting the lack of closure and appealing for at least a Halloween movie to provide closure to characters. Another dissatisfied fan, Sharon, questioned the decision to end good shows, citing previous cancellations like “Cedar Cove.”
Laurie Ferneau, SVP Programming, Series at Hallmark Channel, spoke to Deadline regarding the cancellation, acknowledging the show’s exceptional cast and storytelling. She highlighted the relatable and touching narratives of “Chesapeake Shores,” expressing anticipation for the upcoming final season, which will consist of 10 episodes.
The last season’s 10-episode run will serve as a culmination to honor the journey of the O’Brien family and the series’ viewers.
Several fans are requesting the return of Jesse Metcalfe.
In response to Hallmark’s announcement, a fan urged for the return of Jesse Metcalfe, attributing his presence as vital to the show’s essence. Meanwhile, another fan countered, pointing out that Metcalfe made the decision to depart from the show, asserting that the last season without his character, Trace, was notably improved.
Jesse Metcalfe, in an interview with The List, revealed a condition for his potential return to “Chesapeake Shores.” He expressed willingness to rejoin the series only if it ensured a definitive romantic conclusion between Trace and Abby.
The ratings experienced a decline in the previous season.
According to TV Series Finale, the ratings for the most recent season of the show notably declined. In the 18-49 age range, the fifth season averaged approximately .10, representing a significant 46% decrease in that demographic compared to the previous season. Additionally, the live+same day viewership ratings dropped by about 15%.
The report detailed that during season 5, the show averaged around 1.45 million total viewers. Comparatively, in season 4, the episodes attracted viewership ranging from 1.8 million to 1.54 million each week. Similarly, season 3 garnered viewership figures between 1.669 million to 1.413 million weekly. Although season 5 fell within the overall viewership range of previous seasons, it landed toward the lower end of that spectrum. Notably, there was a decline specifically in the coveted 18-49 demographic.
TV Series Finale highlighted that season 5 of the show managed to surpass 1.56 million viewers only once. The season finale drew in 1.611 million live viewers, marking a comparatively higher number for that season.