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?


Please bring it back…my husband and I looked forward to this show EVERY week!
It’s not often we find a show that we both enjoy this much ! The drama and the accuracy of what it is like is amazing.
Code Black is a great show the actors and actresses make the show seem real. I worked in a hospital for many years and the show brings back memories of our devoted nurses and doctors I work with. DO NOT CANCEL!!
Code Black is the best medical show since ER..I am a nurse and it is fascinating,realistic,and incredibly well acted. The plots are interesting and addictive..DO NOT CANCEL IT!!!
What interests me is that this is the only show on that night that I made a point of tuning into. Not every show can be in first place. Even Star Trek was cancelled. Now it’s a cult. Would be pleased to see season two.
I love love love Code Black. Please bring it back
I love the characters and all of the actors and actresses on the show. I faithfully watched ER and I faithfully watch Code Black.
I love love love Code Black please bring it back!!!
Code Black is one of my favorite shows to watch. I will be disappointed if it is cancelled. We need more programs like this one. There are far too many dark programs on TV these days.
Absolutely Love it!!! Please renew!!
Please renew Code Black, this is a great medical show, love the characters and very accurate er. Have not seen a great medical show in a long time.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the show. So many great characters and so much more interesting than Chicago Med.
I say that this show should be renewed. I love it. Great medical drama. Wednesdays will never be the same without out it.
Renew!! Great series. I look forward to 10 pm on Wednesdays.
Renew! I look forward to Wednesday nights at 10 pm.
Bring it back. It is the first medical drama I have enjoyed in a long time!!! Love the Mama and Daddy thing.