There’s no better time to catch a captive U.S. audience than directly after the most-watched TV product of the year: the Super Bowl. Fox executives gave the 2025 prime slot to the North Shore, Oahu-based surf series Rescue: HI-Surf even before its September premiere after watching cuts of the first few episodes. But as per a recent press release from Fox, that will no longer be the case.
Rescue: HI-Surf is getting a demotion and moved back into its typical Monday 9 p.m. EST slot. Now, after the Super Bowl on February 9, you’ll get to watch the season three premiere of Rob Lowe’s gameshow The Floor. Sorry surf fans. Apparently, Fox thought that the gameshow would go over better with younger demographics and families.
Getting shoved out of the primetime slot might lead some to speculate if the show’s renewal for a second season is in jeopardy, but critics remain optimistic that it has performed well enough. “The Hawaii drama has not been a breakout but has been solid and has done well on Hulu, so it looks good for a season two renewal,” Deadline reported.
Not wanting to give the appearance that ratings are slumping after its hot start, Fox couldn’t resist the chance to prop up the show with a surf pun. The show was “riding a wave of rating momentum,” according to the press release.
Aside from the ratings, the show’s production appears to have been a hit with the local Hawaiians. It’s injected $31 million in wages into the local economy and has received approval via partnerships with local pro surfers like Koa Rothman and Moana Jones Wong.
Rescue: HI-Surf is currently on a mid-season break after the most recent episode aired November 18. The first season will resume January 20.
