CBS hasn’t had a successful medical drama in quite some time. How has Code Black been performing in the ratings? Will the network want it back for a second season or, will it be cancelled instead?
Code Black takes place in an Emergency Room in Los Angeles where underfunding and understaffing pile huge pressures on its staff. The cast includes Marcia Gay Harden, Raza Jaffrey, Bonnie Somerville, Melanie Chandra, William Allen Young, Harry Ford, Benjamin Hollingsworth, and Luis Guzman.
The series debuted in late September 2015 to a 1.54 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 8.58 million viewers. That was an okay start for the 10pm drama though the CBS execs were surely hoping for better.
The ratings took a big fall in week two, dropping 25% in the demo to a 1.16 rating with 6.83 million. The numbers for Code Black stayed at those low levels for the next several weeks and things weren’t looking good. Rather than ordering a full season of the series, CBS picked up five more episodes, bringing the first season tally to just 18 episodes.
Then, the ratings started to slowly rise and reached a mid-season high of a 1.47 demo rating with 8.50 million viewers. In 2016, the numbers have wavered however and last week’s installment hit a series low with a 1.05 demo rating and 6.04 million.
To date, the series has averaged a 1.27 in the demo with 7.13 million viewers. It’s ranking 15th (of 20 scripted CBS shows) in the demo and in total viewers.
Will CBS renew Code Black for a second season or cancel it? Looking at the ratings, the network should probably cancel it but they could easily go either way. Their decision will likely have everything to do with the strength of their upcoming pilots. We’ll know for sure by mid-May.
But, what do you think? Do you like Code Black? If you ran the network, would you renew or cancel the series?
Like the characters. Story lines are good but a little less blood would be okay. I think it should be renewed
I love Code Black, please bring it back for season 2! The acting is great, love momma & daddy together. Love all the medical jargon and how it’s portrayed!
Please don’t cancel!
Please don’t cancel.. Love this show.
Please do not cancel. This is a very good show!
This is a great show that took some time to get up steam. Don’t cancel it. The intelligent dramas need to be saved.
I love this show. I have never responded to one of these before, but I really want to see a season 2.
The absolutely best medical drama on tv. It makes Chicago Med look very, very weak. Please bring back Code Black for a second season!
Please don’t cancel. Love this show!
Code Black is my favorite show. The acting is amazing and I am emotionally involved and can’t wait until the next show airs. Marcia Gay Harden is a Daddy!! Please, please do not cancel this show. Thank you.
I wasn’t sure about Code Black at first but now I look forward to it. As an RN, my hero is “Mama”.
Love the show , I would love to see a season two
I’m even contacting CBS to talk to someone there about keeping Code Black going in season two. Maybe if others contact CBS and get our voices heard it will help.
Jaime, do you have a number for CBS? It would probably be a good idea to post it and share it on Code Blacks Facebook page.
This show need to be renewed it is a good show with complex situations.
The show needs to be renewed. It is a good show with a great cast.