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 like this show, it is too bad the network didn’t support it more fully. I hope they don’t cancel it.
Code Black is a great show, I really miss it and would be disapointed if it was cancelled
I began watching “Code Black” mid-season and I have really enjoyed watching it. I look forward to watching future episodes and hope that the series continues.
Such an intelligent, thought provoking writing. Please keep this one. Very reminiscent of st elsewhere.
I love this show. Please DON’T CANCEL. Code Black is “meater” than Chicago Med. Maybe I just like seeing others dealing with as much stress as I do on a regular basis. Plus I love MGH. However y’all need to put her back in the E.R. not behind a desk.
please don’t cancel this show my family and I look forward to Wednesday nights. Give it a chance.
It his is a great show with interesting and rich characters. Much better than the mid session shows I’ve seen so far this spring.
Love love love this show!!! Please renew for another season!!! ❤️
I love Code Black! Cannot wait to see what happens next. Please keep the show.
The writers for “Code Black” are very talented. I think another season would give it justice.
We love this show and it’s the only show we watch together please keep it going
I love this show please don’t cancel
Please renew, great show and MarciaGray Hayden is always great
Please do not cancel “code black” . It is excellent entertainment.
Every time I love a new show it gets cancelled. Please please do not cancel this amazing show!!