Local Station Yanks ‘Hannibal’ Due To Violence

A local Utah station has decided to yank Hannibal off the air.

The NBC drama has struggled with ratings since its debut but that isn’t the reason that KSL TV decided to drop the show. The Salt Lake City station decided to yank Hannibal from the lineup due to the show’s graphic nature.

The station writes on its Facebook page:

“After viewing the past few episodes, as well as receiving numerous complaints from viewers, KSL TV will cancel the airing of the NBC show “Hannibal” on Thursday evenings.
This decision was made due to the extensive graphic nature of this show.”

Entertainment Weekly notes that this isn’t the first time that KSL TV has refused to air an NBC show. The station, which is owned by the Church of Latter Day Saints, recently refused to air episodes of The Playboy Club and The New Normal.

NBC has not commented on the situation but a source said that people in Salt Lake City will be able to watch episodes of Hannibal on the local CW affiliate station.

The station’s decision to pull Hannibal comes just a few weeks after showrunner Bryan Fuller decided to pull an episode after the Boston bombing. Fuller said that the episode, which featured a person brainwashing kids to commit violent acts, would have been inappropriate in the wake of the Boston bombing.

Do you think Hannibal is too violent? Are you surprised that KSL TV decided to pull the show?