‘The Hunting Party’ has been canceled by NBC after two seasons, according to Deadline. The network’s decision follows an evaluation of the show’s performance, considering its ratings and streaming success.
What happened
‘The Hunting Party,’ a crime drama procedural starring Melissa Roxburgh, has been officially canceled by NBC. This decision comes as NBC evaluated the show’s performance metrics following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season. “We have a very, very tight schedule,” said Jeff Bader, NBCUniversal’s President of Program Planning Strategy.[1]
Produced by Universal Television, the series will now be shopped to other networks. With Netflix licensing the show in the U.S., it is considered a likely candidate for potential acquisition. The drama aired in the challenging Thursday 10 p.m. timeslot, where it failed to garner strong linear ratings, remaining flat during its second season.[2]
Why it matters
This cancellation reflects NBC’s strategic shift as it aims to improve its programming lineup. The network has opted to focus on shows that deliver stronger ratings rather than continue with series that have underperformed. Moreover, NBC’s shift may affect the availability of similar genre shows in the future.[3]
Background
On May 27, 2026, NBC finalized its programming decisions after the upfronts, with ‘The Hunting Party’ being one of the last shows awaiting confirmation of its fate. Despite initial viewership spikes on Netflix, these did not translate into meaningful improvements in linear ratings during the second season.
What’s next
NBC’s final lineup for the 2026-27 season includes four new scripted series and three cancellations. The network plans to launch its new shows this fall while seeking to adapt its programming strategy to attract a wider audience.
