Summary
Magnum P.I. went through a series of cancelations and revivals, which left fans confused and uncertain about the show's future.
CBS decided to cancel the series following its fourth season due to a breakdown in negotiations with Universal Television over the license fee for the reboot. Subsequently, NBC stepped in to save Magnum P.I. for its fifth season, but eventually opted not to proceed with the series after part two due to uncertainties surrounding contract negotiations and the writers' strike. Although there is a possibility that another network or streaming service may pick it up, the likelihood of a sixth season is currently low.
Magnum P.I. endured a rollercoaster ride between 2022 and 2023, facing cancellation, a new network pickup, and then cancellation once again. The 2018 revival of the beloved 1980s show, developed by Peter M. Lenkov and Eric Guggenheim for CBS, lasted four seasons before its ultimate conclusion. However, NBC stepped in to save the reboot from complete cancellation, only to subsequently cancel it shortly afterwards. Considering its turbulent history, it wouldn't be surprising if another network or streaming service decided to revive the series for another season.
The talented cast of Magnum P.I. features Jay Hernandez as Thomas Magnum, Perdita Weeks as Juliet Higgins, Zachary Knighton as Orville "Rick" Wright, Stephen Hill as Theodore "T.C." Calvin, Amy Hill as Teuila "Kumu" Tuileta, and Tim Kang as Gordon Katsumoto. Hernandez inhabits the iconic role originated by Tom Selleck in the original series – Thomas Magnum, a former Navy SEAL residing in Hawaii's Robin's Nest guest house while working as a private investigator. Although the reboot offers its own unique spin on the original story, it maintains the same essential premise.
Magnum P.I. Was Canceled After Season 4 Due To A Negotiation Breakdown
CBS decided to cancel Magnum P.I. after its fourth season despite its decent ratings and placement among the Top 25 shows on broadcast television. The reason for the cancellation was the failure to reach an agreement on the license fee between CBS Studios and Universal Television. This led to the show being without a home and Universal Television having to look for other networks to pick it up.
How NBC Saved Magnum P.I. Season 5
NBC answered Universal Television's prayers when they picked up Magnum P.I. for a 20-episode fifth season on June 30, 2022, with all six series regulars expected to return. The network announced that the 20 episodes would be split into two parts, with 10 episodes airing in early 2023 and the remaining 10 installments debuting later that year. The renewal news came with the information that NBC was open to ordering more episodes for the action drama series. Unfortunately, it seemed as though Magnum P.I.'s glimmer of hope in the summer of 2022 was fleeting, given that the show's new network canceled it one year later.
Why Magnum P.I. Season 6 Isn't Happening At NBC
Following the conclusion of Magnum P.I. season 5, part 1, NBC announced that part 2 would mark the end of the reboot on June 23, 2023. Several factors likely contributed to the network's decision not to renew the show for further episodes. However, the primary reason was the cast's contracts being up for negotiation for a potential season 6. Consequently, NBC faced three choices: extend the cast's contracts, order additional episodes, or conclude the series. Considering the uncertainty surrounding the writers strike at that time, NBC deemed ending the show as the most favorable option.
Will Magnum P.I. Season 6 Happen On Another Network?
Magnum P.I. season 5, part 2, began airing on October 4, 2023, and is expected to conclude soon. Although it is unlikely that another network or streaming service will renew the show for a sixth season, the reboot has surprised us in the past. Universal Television may be exploring other options for the series, especially now that the writers strike is over. While fans can still hope for a future season 6, as of the writing of this article, Magnum P.I. is scheduled to wrap up with season 5.