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?


YOU BETTER RENEW THIS SHOW.. THIS IS MY GO TO SHOW EVERY WEDS, ILL BE SUPER PISSED IF THEY CANCEL IT!!!! IM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT AGREES!
Great show, renew
Excellent job. Please renew it.
I love Code Black, please please renew the show!!!! Come on CBS
Love the show – don’t cancel……
Please don’t cancel code black!!!!! Absolutely love this show!!!! Totally look forward to it every week!!! Missed it so much. I record it when I can’t watch it at 10pm so maybe more people do that as well and that’s why the numbers aren’t as high but I can’t see why anybody wouldn’t like the show!!! Please don’t cancel!
Please dont cancel it !!! I love it , love it , love it !!
I LOVE Code Black!!! Please bring it back!!! Interesting & exciting medical drama!
Keep this show..it was just getting sooooo exciting and I really enjoyed it…very realistic!
Renew!!!! One of the best shows on TV!
PLEASE DON’T CANCEL “CODE BLACK”
I’ve been watching since day one and have been looking for more episodes. WEDNESDAY NIGHTS are not the same without Code Black. The cast of original characters, not to mention the exceptional writing kept myself and my friends watching week after week. I am disappointed that John Q. Public doesn’t feel the same (of course these are the same folks who made Duck Dynasty a hit). Prior to shelving this quality drama, give it another chance….for the die hard fans.
I look forward to watching this I like it the drama is intense so please don’t cancel it.
Best new show of the season!!! BRING IT BACK!!!
BRING BACK CODE BLACK!
I love code black and I haven’t seen it air for a few weeks bring it back CBS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!