Jeff Bader
, president of program planning strategy at NBCUniversal Entertainment, has explained why
Quantum Leap
has been canceled after two seasons.
In an interview with
TVLine,
Bader called
Quantum Leap
“softer” than some other shows that transitioned to the streamer.
“
Organized Crime
is a VERY successful show; this isn’t a show that was on the bubble,” Bader said. “It’s a show that works across the board, and it’s very, very strong on streaming. [Moving Season 5 to Peacock] is a win-win for us — 80% of its viewing isn’t in the time period where we schedule it, it’s delayed on Peacock, so it just made sense to move that to free up the time period.”
However, it’s a “different discussion with Quantum, which was just a much softer show, performance-wise.”
Quantum Leap
Season 2 was down steeply from its first-year numbers. Out of the 12 original or acquired dramas that NBC aired this TV season, its audience only beat Season 4 of
Transplant.
Organized Crime
matched last season’s numbers and ranked much higher among NBC’s drama slate.