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?


I love it please keep it!!!!!
Please don’t cancel
Please renew-I’m lost without it!
It’s the best hospital show in years! Give it time to catch on….
One of the few shows I watched every episode of course that means you will cancel it always works that way
I think it’s the BEST new show on TV.mplease don’t cancel!!!
Renew, my friends and I love this show.
DO NOT CANCEAL, LOVE THE SHOW!!!
Please keep Code Black for Season 2
I look forward to watching this well acted and exciting drama. I am disappointed that they are considering canceling this program. There is such good chemistry in the actors.
Please keep Code Black
This is a smart, well done drama and I really hope CBS will continue it in a Season 2.
Please do not cancel Code Black. I love the show and look forward to watching it every week.
Renew it, it is a great show!!
I love Code Black, please renew for season 2!!