USA Network Renews ‘Satisfaction’, Cancels ‘Rush’

USA Network has made decisions on the fate of its freshman drama series, opting to renew Satisfaction, from Universal Cable Prods., and cancel Rush, from Fox 21. Additionally I hear the network is close to giving a third-season order to the Jeff Eastin’s drama Graceland, produced by Fox TV Studios. There is no decision on USA’s first-year comedy Playing House.

Created by Sean Jablonski, Satisfaction has received a 10-episod order. It stars Matt Passmore and Stephanie Szostak as a couple with an unconventional marriage. “Satisfaction sparked a cultural conversation about modern love and marriage in today’s world,” said USA Network President Chris McCumber.

Satisfaction and Rush got off to a soft start, both opening to 1.7 million total viewers in Live+Same Day as well as a 0.5 adults 18-49 rating (Satisfaction) and 0.4 (Rush) in July. In L+SD, the series, which wrapped their freshman-season runs a couple of weeks ago, have performed similarly, with a slight edge for Rush — Satisfaction averaged 1.4 million viewers and 0.4 in 18-49 and Rush 1.7 million viewers and a 0.4.

Factoring in USA’s decision to renew Satisfaction was the size of the show’s L7 lifts: +74% adults 18-49, and +58% in total viewers. It’s penultimate episode hit L7 series highs with 2.43 million total viewers and 1.1 million adults 18-49, though Rush too hit series highs in both measures with its penultimate episode in L+SD. (While Rush, starring Tom Ellis as a hard-partying concierge doctor, had the edge in L+sd for that episode, Satisfaction came up on top in l7 with 1.094 million 18-49 viewers vs. 953,000.) On average, Satisfaction‘s DVR gains have been bigger, with USA seeing growth potential in a show it also owns, leading to its renewal decision. Marriage is a culturally relevant theme at the moment, with Satisfaction about to be joined by Showtime’s The Affair. HBO also explored the arena with its provocative pilot Open.

Satisfaction also stars Michelle DeShon, Katherine LaNasa, Blair Redford and Deanna Russo. Jablonski executive produces with Russ Krasnoff.