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?


My husband and I really enjoy the drama, humor and cast of Code Black. I hope it makes to another season.
My family loves Code Black. Definitely renew it!
RENEW This Series Is The Best
Please bring Code Black back on it is the Best Tv series out. RENEW
Please renew Code Black. I loved this show so much. My mom and I would watch it together we are really wanting this show to come back. Thank you
Renew!!! Love it!
Please renew! love love love it. It is a wonderful wonderful series! Great performances, great characters.
Love Code Black. Bring it back!
I love Code Black. I truly believe they should continue the series. Please don’t do the same as ABC. I stopped watching that network completely.
I LOVE this show. Maybe try airing it a little earlier in the evening. I hope you give it more time to prove it’s self.
Please renew Code Black. We look forward to this show. It deserves a chance.
KEEP IT!!! There are so FEW shows I will watch. I love this one!!!
Love It ! We want it back!!
I haven’t enjoyed a hospital drama this much since St Elsewhere! Please renew!!! So glad there aren’t many love affairs going on, it’s pure hospital drama.
Please renew Code Black. We can’t wait for more episodes.