"Suits" remains a beloved series, captivating audiences since its debut on USA Network back in 2011. Its popularity surged again when it became available on Netflix, fueling numerous binge-watching marathons. However, the recent spin-off, "Suits LA," didn't fare as well, leading to its cancellation by NBC as part of their fall schedule announcement. Jeff Bader, the president of program planning strategy for the network, shed light on the reasons behind this tough decision.
“It’s incredibly challenging to decide which shows to renew, and although 'Suits LA' had a brief run, it simply didn’t connect with audiences the way we anticipated,” Bader shared with Variety after the fall schedule was made public. “There are numerous factors at play, and while people have their theories about why it didn’t resonate, the show unfortunately isn’t demonstrating the potential for future growth.”
Bader elaborated on the decision-making process: “We had to assess the performance of our shows across both traditional and digital platforms. It’s about identifying which shows have the potential for growth. We looked at their stability on linear broadcasts, their digital performance, and which ones were on an upward trajectory versus those on a decline. Unfortunately, some tough calls had to be made.”
He also noted that NBCUniversal considers the possibility of moving shows to Peacock when they are canceled from the network lineup, but "Suits LA" did not receive the approval for such a transition.
On the flip side, Bader outlined the criteria that allowed other shows to remain on the schedule, particularly as the network needed to adjust for the NBA's Tuesday night slots. “We analyzed the week-to-week and episode-to-episode performance on both linear and digital platforms to determine which shows had the strongest ratings trajectory,” he explained. “From a creative standpoint, our teams assessed which shows had the greatest potential to attract new viewers. The two shows that excelled in these areas secured their spots on our schedule.”
"Suits" originally ran for nine seasons from 2011 to 2019. The revival series, "Suits LA," premiered in February and featured stars like Stephen Amell, Lex Scott Davis, Josh McDermitt, and Bryan Greenberg. Notably, original "Suits" cast members such as Rick Hoffman, David Costabile, and leading man Gabriel Macht made guest appearances. Aaron Korsh, the creator of the original series, also served as the creator and executive producer for the spin-off, which concluded its run with its final episode airing on May 11, 2025.
