IFC has opted not to renew freshman series Benders for a second season. The hockey comedy launched in October alongside another new half-hour show, the David Krumholtz starrer Gigi Does It, which was canceled earlier this month.
Both series struggled in the ratings, though Benders had a little higher average, a stronger L7 lift — around +90% — and higher digital activity. It started off with 155,000 viewers and 75,000 adults 18-49 in L+3 for the premiere and ended its eight-episode run with 88,000 viewers and 28,000 adults 18-49 in L+3 for the November 16 finale.
“Check it out when it comes to Netflix hopefully continues from there!” Benders co-star Chris Distefano wrote on Twitter two weeks ago. “Thanks for watching really appreciate it.”
Benders, about a group of hockey-obsessed guy friends, hails from Apostle, which also produces IFC’s comedy series Maron, set to return for a fourth season in the spring.
Next for IFC are the new seasons of Portlandia and Todd Margaret, which premiere in January.
