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?


Excellent Television…….Best Drama in many years ! Renew for Season 2 !
One of the best shows on, please don’t cancel
Please tell me they won’t stop the show here!?!?! I love this show and have been watching for the next episode for weeks!!!
Please leave Code Black on and return for a second season…I love the show…so realistic….please don’t cancel it…
I love Code Black. It’s the best medical drama since E.R. Please renew for a second season
please bring it back…im starting to lose interest in other medical shows…theyve been more surrounding the characters rather than the medical part and saving lives….i love code black it feels more real than other medical shows ive wacthed…its a mix of e.r. but intese like a jason statham movie…its heart pounding and dramitic… i love daddys conviction and heart… her backstory is riviting to the characters surrounding her…mama is her best friend and confidont so to say… the characters are fair to each other but also have guidlines to balance the crazy…i enjoy the intense medical knowledge and the character… Read more »
John from Liverpool great program real as it gets make series 2
Please, Please, Please bring “Code Black” back for a 2nd season. This is one of the best Dramatic & Intense Medical Dramas to come along in some time. Every week my husband & I can’t wait to see what us going to happen. We sit on the edge of our seats and holding our breath as the storyline unfolds. Taking it off of the 2016-17 schedule would be a big mistake.
I am addicted to the show! Please bring it back. I love the characters and the different personalities.
I personally love Code Black, very strong characters. Good story line. I would love to see it come back for another season, please renew.
Love this show. So realistic. Please don’t take it away from us
Please renew love this show
Really?? It had bad reviews? It’s a great show….I love it!!!
love this series SO much! i think it hasn’t been advertised enough… i wasn’t into other medical shows but i LOVE this one!
Love, love, LOVE watching Code Black!!! How is there any question of it’s return?! I’m hooked – invested in the cast, wondering what’s gonna happen next…. This show kicks butt on the lame second show it’s up against, Chicago Med ( There is a ‘Chicago’ triple-header, Med, Police & Fire, can’t believe they’re airing episodes of Chicago Med already with no Code Black to show them up! )
Code Black is an extremely good show. If it’s not getting good ratings, you’re not checking right, ‘cuz everyone I know who watched it is eagerly anticipating it’s return