Heartland has been on Netflix in the US for more than 10 years, but a new notice says it’s set to depart the streaming service, leaving fans, well, heartbroken. So, what happens now that the beloved series is packing up its virtual ranch?
If you like the small-town drama of Virgin River, Heartland is a perfect fit. Based on Lauren Brooke’s book series of the same name, the binge-worthy TV show follows the Fleming-Bartlett family as they navigate life, love, and loss on their Alberta ranch.
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With more than 260 episodes and counting, Heartland is the longest-running scripted series in Canada’s history. It’s a rare breed: a family drama with staying power, thanks to its warm, grounded storytelling.
For years, US viewers have eagerly awaited new seasons to arrive on Netflix. Season 16 dropped in June 2024, and many expected 17 and 18 to follow in due time – but instead, a removal notice has appeared.
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Why is Heartland leaving Netflix?
The reason Heartland is leaving Netflix is down to licensing. Distribution rights for Heartland in the US are handled by different companies, and Netflix’s agreement for the show is expiring.
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A support chat rep told What’s on Netflix, “Netflix licenses TV shows and movies from studios around the world. Although we strive to keep the titles you want to watch, some titles may leave Netflix due to licensing agreements.
“Whenever a TV show or movie license is expiring, we consider things such as: If the rights to the title are still available, how popular it is in a region, and how much it costs to license.”
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That means unless a new deal is reached, the platform can no longer legally host it.
When is Heartland leaving Netflix?
The “leaving soon” notice means that the 250 Heartland episodes currently on Netflix US will be leaving on August 1, 2025.
This isn’t set in stone, but the banner normally only appears the month before it leaves. The news has proven disappointing for fans, who were expecting to see Seasons 17 and 18 head to the streaming service in the near future.
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Taking to Reddit, one wrote, “Heartland on Netflix has become my daily happy place for the past 4-5 months. Really sad to hear it’s been cut.”
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Another agreed, “I feel the hurt… I’ve seen all the episodes three times but they always take me to a better time and place. Alberta is a wonderful place except in the winter.”
“Oh please no, this is my comfort show,” added a third, while a fourth chimed in, “It sucks because Netflix was the best viewing.”
Others speculated further on why Heartland is leaving, with one writing, “I think CBC wanted a tidy sum for licensing rights, and Netflix went elsewhere. They picked up Sullivan’s Crossing, another Canadian show, to fill the void.”
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“They say ‘we consider such things as’, is it possible that they also consider if that show is still pulling a large enough audience to justify any cost or licensing? We will never know,” said another. “I suspect there are more profitable contracts to be had.”
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A third added, “Of course they consider viewership. That said, Heartland is always in the top 10 when a new season drops. Perhaps they have concerns over the new seasons or the direction of the show.
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“Netflix execs saw Seasons 17 and 18 and the ratings prior to making this decision. Maybe they feel the show won’t continue to do well enough to justify the higher licensing fee.”
Numerous fans also pointed to the fact that the new episodes often end up (unofficially) on YouTube, making it more difficult to secure high viewership.
“Not surprised, and this is why they rushed Season 18 to UP Faith & Family. It’s been on for a long time, and you can watch most of it for free on YouTube and other places,” said one.
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Another commented, “Yeah, you can catch most of it on YouTube now if you search. It’s a real loss for everyone!”
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Where to watch Heartland Seasons 17 & 18
Heartland Seasons 17 and 18 might not be heading to Netflix anytime soon, but you can still binge-watch Heartland to your heart’s content via UP Faith & Family.
The platform offers “ad-free, faith-friendly, clean” content, and it’s been Heartland’s primary streaming home for some time now, meaning new seasons land here first. Subscriptions for the basic service cost $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year.
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While you might find this a bit much, the platform does offer new users a free trial and there’s plenty of similar Hallmark-esque content. Plus, it will be the host of Heartland Season 19, which is currently filming and set to release later this year.
Until then, make sure you get your binge-watching in before the show leaves Netflix US for good.
For more of the same, check out the best shows to watch if you love Virgin River, the new series coming to streaming this month, and how to stream Sullivan’s Crossing Season 3.
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