ABC Rules Against Showing ‘Murder One’ as Miniseries

ABC seemingly signed a death warrant for “Murder One” Tuesday, deciding not to air the program’s remaining six hours in April as previously announced--a move that angered Steven Bochco, the producer responsible for the network’s top-rated drama, “NYPD Blue.”

ABC had said that the second-year show’s final story line, about a vigilante serial killer, would be shown in three two-hour installments on April 13, 14 and 17. It remains unclear now when those episodes will be broadcast, though the earliest window would probably be this summer.

The decision effectively spells the end for last season’s most highly touted new drama, eliminating any last-gasp attempt to win viewers before ABC sets next season’s prime-time lineup in May.

Bochco said he was less concerned about renewal, which he considered unlikely, than about showcasing the episodes and giving those involved the chance to “go out with a bang.” Tapes had already been mailed to reporters and critics, seeking to generate publicity for the miniseries.

“As a practical matter it’s bad business,” Bochco said. “It’s a real demoralizing thing to do to a group of people who have busted their ass for you the last two years. I just want a lot of good work [that] people have done to get out there.”

ABC, which will run movies in the show’s place, has experienced a ratings decline this season and is said to fear that the low-rated program will further depress viewing levels. The network is already providing advertisers with “make-goods”--that is, free commercial time to compensate for audience shortfalls.

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Bochco, however, said he can’t see the harm in showing an original miniseries in mid-April, when many hit programs are in repeats, saving new episodes to air during the next rating sweeps, which begin April 24.

ABC renewed “Murder One” despite disappointing ratings last year. Scheduled Thursdays opposite “Seinfeld,” the program has averaged 7.8 million viewers per week this season, ranking 118th out of 130 series broadcast by the four major networks.