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?


Love this series. Give it time. Will be another ER
Don’t cancel this series! LOVE IT!
Can we have “Code Black” season 2 please?
“Code black” is definitely much better than any medical tv series I have ever watched. The focus of correctly and appropriately teaching never slips no matter how busy it is in the ER. Can we have a renewed season for “Code Black” please?
Strong medical show, keep it alive!
If this show is canceled I will move to NBC 100%! Please don’t cancel it!
This show is a one of a kind! It’s like no other medical show and it deserves to have a second season!! It’s amazing and true to a real life emergency situation in hospitals! It is by far our favorite show and the only one we counted on watching every Wednesday night! PLEASE make another season, we LOVE IT!!
This show is really good. Please give it a chance! I hated to see the season end and am looking forward to it returning. It would be a shame to see it end like Miami Medical a couple of years ago. This show has heart!
Don’t cancel! I know ratings are important but this is the best medical drama I’ve seen in a long time. The episodes are intense and in spit of the blood and gore, I can’t wait till the next episode. CBS should not cancel the series!
I really like the series. Please keep.
OH GOD DON’T CANCEL
Please don’t cancel the show! We love it and need decent shows like this to watch! Bring it back with a longer season too!
yes I loved this series. the first in a real long time that captured me right from the start
Please don’t cancel the show. Market it more! I stumbled upon it one night when i just wanted to relax. Since that night, i watched every show.
I would continue with this show at least another season. Give it a chance. It’s not easy having a time slot at 10.