NBC’s Quantum Leap reboot wrapped up its second season last week, and there is no word yet on whether that one will be returning for a third year. Its ratings in Fall were decent, tracking pretty close to other dramas on the network airing at that time. But when it returned from the Winter hiatus in January and changed timeslots, it took a notable drop. The showrunners claim that if the second season is the show’s last, they left it on what they believed would be a satisfying ending. But it still leaves plenty of storylines unresolved and they do have plans for where the show would go in a third year. So at this point, what are the chances that this series will continue to leap through time for another season or more?
In its first season, Quantum Leap averaged a 0.33 rating based on same-day viewing for the 18-49 demographic, which was below the network’s overall average and its average for dramas. But the show performed well in delayed and digital viewing and ended up getting an early renewal for a second season. That was in part so that it could get a jump on production as both the writers’ and actors’ strikes loomed, and that allowed it to return in Fall 2023 when there were few scripted shows on the schedule due to those strikes. During the Fall months, the show averaged a 0.29 rating in the demo which was about on par with the few other dramas NBC had airing during that time. But in January it got switched to the Tuesday 10 PM EST timeslot and its numbers took a hit, averaging only a 0.18 score over its final five eps.
The network execs had to know that the numbers would drop with the shift to the lower-viewership hour on the schedule, so hopefully, they are taking that into account. But if they have soured on the show for some reason, they could have made that move to justify killing it off. I have seen nothing to suggest the network has lost faith in the show, but the fact is that two Fall dramas–Found and The Irrational–have received renewals while Quantum Leap is still waiting for word on its fate. That doesn’t necessarily suggest the show is doomed, but the network brass does not appear to be confident enough to renew it just yet.
Quantum Leap has always been a better performer in delayed and digital viewing, and that could be what keeps it going into a third season. But I would not be surprised if they followed the same path as La Brea and renewed it for a final year. NBC Universal has an ownership stake in the series and it will likely continue to stream on Peacock once it has wrapped up. So a final season will give it a binge-worthy run and the chance to wrap up its storylines which will make it a more satisfying show to watch. It’s also possible that this one could continue into a fourth year or more because despite the recent drop in ratings it has performed relatively well overall. And it is likely not as expensive to produce as some sci fi entries because it does not rely heavily on special effects, but its period settings do bump up the costs some.
At this point, my guess is that the network wants to bring it back for at least one more season, even if that is a shortened six-episode affair like we saw with La Brea. But they haven’t committed to that yet, so the fans should step up and give the NBC execs a nudge in that direction. A social media campaign can certainly bring the show more attention, and watch parties on Peacock could help as well. I don’t believe that Quantum Leap is in dire straits at the moment, but a Call to Action from fans certainly could give it a boost and help it get at least one more season.
Are you watching Quantum Leap and will you help with efforts to keep it going? Chime in with your comments below.
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