Los Angeles, Aug 16 (IANS): Drama series "Shooter" has been cancelled on the USA Network.

It was in the middle of its third season. Since airing of Season 3 began back in June, the series has seen a steep fall in its Live+Same Day ratings, reports variety.com.

"Shooter" is based on Stephen Hunter book series that follows the adventures of expert sniper Bob Lee Swagger. It also inspired the 2007 film "Shooter" starring Mark Wahlberg.

In the cable show Ryan Phillippe plays Swagger. It was averaging a 0.2 rating in adults 18-49 and 738,000 viewers per episode, down over 40 per cent in both measures from Season 2.

The Universal Cable Productions and Paramount Television, which co-produce the series, were said to be shopping the show for a potential fourth season, sources said.

Discussions were underway at Paramount Network, but a source in the know of things said an extension was unlikely.

The cancellation comes as USA is looking to bolster its originals line-up.

The cabler ordered four projects to pilot back in April, including a cop drama starring Denis Leary and a drama series set in the Jason Bourne universe.