Elementary is coming to an end after 7 seasons. The modern day Sherlock Holmes & Watson series starring Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu, wrapped production last Friday on season 7.
The series was renewed back in May for a seventh season by CBS for 13 episodes and it’s being reported that that network knew back then that they were pretty sure it would be the final one for the fan favorite procedural series. One of the reasons for the decision to end the show is believed to be related to the fact that the contracts of stars Miller and Liu were coming up. With the story also winding down, everyone involved felt that this was a natural end where the series leaves on a high note creatively and everyone walks away happy and successful.
Elementary has produced 154 episodes over its seven seasons and is only one of three new broadcast series to debut in fall 2012 that is still on the air, along with NBC’s Chicago Fire and the CW’s Arrow. The series began as a breakout rating hit and it was the most-watched new series of its freshman season long with finishing in the top 20 among all shows in its first two seasons.
The live ratings have slipped considerably for the series the last couple of seasons but Elementary stayed alive as a key utility player for CBS. During its seven-season run, it has aired on Thursdays, Sundays and, most recently Mondays. While the bulk of Season 6 aired over the summer, it still ranked No. 21 in viewers. Elementary also has been a solid gainer in delayed viewing, with the most recent sixth season growing 65% in viewers and 80% in adults 18-49 from Live+same day to Live+7 ratings.
The most important factor in Elementary’s longevity is that it was a huge profit gainer for the network. The series has lucrative off-network and international deals and the procedural drama has off-network and SVOD deals with WGN America, Hulu and broadcast stations (on weekends) that bring in as much as $3 million total per episode. It is a big international seller for CBS TV Studios too, in part because of the central character’s global recognition, and has been licensed in 200 territories.
A premiere date for the seventh season of Elementary has not been released at this time.
