NBC Cancels *The Hunting Party* With Netflix Viewership
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- NBC canceled The Hunting Party after two seasons, ending its Thursday 10 p.m. broadcast slot behind Law & Order: SVU.
- Universal Television will shop the series to other outlets, with Netflix—currently U.S. licensee—identified as a logical potential buyer.
- Jeff Bader said the cancellation was driven by the need to improve linear ratings, noting the show’s “middling” broadcast performance but stronger streaming numbers.
- Netflix reported strong viewership for the first season after its February launch, yet Season 2’s linear ratings remained flat on NBC.
- Peacock saw a “halo effect” and earned revenue from Netflix’s license fee and international sales, but these gains did not offset the show’s soft linear ratings.
- NBC considered a third broadcast season or a Peacock original shift, but “number‑crunching” led to the decision to cancel rather than continue on either platform.
- NBC’s 2026‑27 schedule adds four new scripted series while dropping three—including The Hunting Party—to make room for potential hits amid a tight, sports‑heavy lineup.
Why it matters: NBC’s decision removes *The Hunting Party* from its broadcast lineup, hurting the series’ exposure on linear TV while freeing a Thursday night slot for higher‑rated programming; meanwhile, Netflix and Peacock stand to benefit from the show’s existing streaming audience and licensing revenue.
