CBC’s The Republic of Doyle closed out its first season in good fashion on Wednesday despite airing opposite top-rated reality American Idol on CTV.

The final episode clocked 757,000 viewers Wednesday at 9 p.m., on par with its season average. (All numbers 2+).

The Newfoundland-set series, from creator Allan Hawco and Take the Shot Productions, burst on to the scene in January with nearly a million viewers, then settled in at the 700,000-mark as conventional networks launched their winter US fare.

Meanwhile, Idol garnered 2.6 million viewers for CTV, preceded by a new episode of Criminal Minds with 1.8 million viewers. The ‘Minds episode featured special guest star and Oscar-winner Forest Whitaker, who will reportedly lead a new spinoff of the show for CBS.

Doyle has already been renewed for a second season on CBC. The last of CBC’s new shows, comedy 18 to Life, will air its finale on Monday.

From Playback Daily