Why was "Franklin & Bash" cancelled?

"Franklin & Bash" was cancelled due to a severe decline in ratings from its first to its fourth season. Though it debuted at 2.74 million viewers in 2011, the 2014 fourth-season finale saw fewer than a million.

The cancellation of "Franklin & Bash" was the first major programming decision made by the incoming head of TNT and TBS, Kevin Reilly, who had previously worked at FOX. Reilly has sought to revamp TNT's lineup of dramas, seeking edgier shows instead of the light, easygoing fare represented by "Franklin & Bash." Additionally, the network is seeking to add more shows with mixed male-female lead protagonists, according to Reilly.