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 keep it! I would definitely renew!!!! Consider the folks who have to DVR and watch at a later time. I know that doesn’t help the numbers.
RENEW! I’ve been impatiently awaiting the new season!
I would renew code black. I thought that it was a really good medical drama. Watched it every week.
I think it’s a great show and I want it to come. It’s better than any of the other medical shows like Chicago pd or the new one heartbeat. Please bring it back!!!!
Bring Code Black back.
Bring it back! My favorite medical show!
Bring it back. It’s the show with a brain.
Why do the good shows leave? Please bring it back. I loved the act and drama. LOVED the show.
keep it on. It is a great show that has a great cast and plots.
Agree, cast is great! Good mingling with the cast of characters and diversity of their personalities.
Please renew! This is a favorite at our house. It is a very intense, sit on the edge show. We looked forward to Wed night showing every week. Mama and Daddy are great!
I think it is an awesome show! I want it to come back . It is one of the best medical shows on TV!
Great show! Please bring back!
Love this show!
I greatly enjoyed the show. Kudos on the diversity displayed with the professional healthcare providers. I even recommended the show to my nursing students since the show was timely and accurate in the portrayal of a true ED. As a former Emergency Department Nurse and now a nurse educator in a professional nursing program I commend you for the realism, Interprofessional education shown, and the great diversity shown. I hope to see more seasons of this wonderful medical drama.
The above comments hit the nail on the head!! Personal drama does not overshadow the intensity of the show!
Code Black is awesome! It is my favorite new show of the season! PLEASE bring it back!!!!