This evening, we must say goodbye to the Code Black TV show after three short seasons on the air. Series get cancelled all the time — mostly due to low ratings — but, did this Wednesday night series deserve the ax or, should it have been renewed for a fourth season instead?
A CBS medical drama, Code Black stars Marcia Gay Harden, Luis Guzmán, Rob Lowe, Boris Kodjoe, Harry Ford, Benjamin Hollingsworth, William Allen Young, Emily Tyra, Noah Gray-Cabey, Emily Alyn Lind, and Moon Bloodgood. The story unfolds at Angels Memorial Hospital in Los Angeles — the busiest, most notorious ER in the country. The high patient volume dwarfs the resources available to the exceptional staff — creating a condition known as Code Black.
Debuting in September 2015, the first season of Code Black averaged a 1.27 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 7.11 million viewers. It was a middle-of-the-road performer for CBS that year and was firmly on the bubble.
It ended up getting a second season renewal but that came with a price. In an attempt to boost the ratings, some cast changes were made and Rob Lowe (whose FOX comedy, The Grinder, had just been cancelled) joined the cast.
Unfortunately, those changes didn’t seem to help the ratings. Season two of Code Black averaged a 0.97 in the demo with 5.98 million. That was down by 23% and 16%, respectively.
The CBS series once again squeaked out a renewal but the show didn’t earn a spot on the fall schedule this time. CBS held the season three premiere of the medical drama until very late in the season.
It’s very tough to launch a season so late in the broadcast season when viewers are either wrapped up in the final episodes of existing shows or starting to shift their attention to warmer month activities. CBS might have done better to hold season three until after Memorial Day or July 4th but, they didn’t.
Season three has averaged a 0.70 rating in the demo with 5.69 million viewers. For a summer CBS show, that’s not too shabby. Compared to season two, that’s down by 27% in the demo but down by just 5% in viewership. That’s pretty rare to have such a moderate year-to-year decline in viewers. Like most CBS programs, this one tends to skew older.
Compared to CBS’ other summer shows, Code Black is doing quite respectably. In the demo, it’s outperforming scripted series Salvation and Elementary. In viewership, it’s beating all of CBS’ summer shows, including all three nights of Big Brother.
While Code Black’s ratings have not ever been stellar, it’s hard to understand why the network didn’t renew Code Black for a fourth season. They could air it during Summer 2019 so they could amass enough episodes for syndication. Perhaps that scenario didn’t make sense financially. Alas, we may never know.
What do you think? Do you think CBS should have cancelled Code Black or renewed it for a fourth season?
Am VERY disappointed in Code Black being canceled. One of the best shows out there. Can only hope they come to their senses and bring it back.
CBS ! Bring back Code Black – it’s one of your best series. CBS did not give the show the chance it deserved by airing the final episodes when it did. I hardly think they would get accurate viewing results airing it so late in the season. Please reconsider bringing back this exceptional series
Code Black was a bright spot in my week. When all the fall shows were ending, I had something to watch other than Big Brother. I can’t stand BB. I am very disappointed in CBS for this decision. If CBS won’t bring this show back than I hope it is picked up by some other network and it’s a huge success.
I have never enjoyed a medical series’s more then Code Black, please reconsider.
I do not think code black should be canc.
Code Black is one of the best shows on TV. CBS was so wrong to cancel it.
Code Black is a great show. I hope they bring it back. The characters on it are so code.
Code Black is an excellent show. Great cast. Bring it back and leave it be. Better than many of the shows on TV these days!
I love the show, it shocked me it was cancelled. So thoughtful, it ignites emotions, makes you feel and is REAL! The actors chemistry is perfect, it’s as if they aren’t acting, they are a family.
Code Black is one of the best shows this summer. Elementary has become boring, while Code Black has allowed character growth. CBS should wake up and renew this show.
Code Black was one great series. It had a little bit of Humor, Sadness, excitement and keep you intrigued. We could not wait to watch each series. The actors and actresses were just Excellent every one of them. The story lines were great , we are just heartsick about it being cancelled. Please bring it back with the same cast and writers I cannot write enough of how much we enjoyed it.
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Code Black was my favorite show on TV. I can’t believe it was cancelled.
OMG! One of the best shows I’ve ever watched. Please don’t cancel it.
This is an awesome television show which features a great ensemble of characters in a great dramatic series. Please keep this show for all of us who love great story lines on television .
Code Black was one of the best shows if not the best show on TV! It had great acting and writing. The hour went by fast with the amazing action and drama! Please bring this show back with the same cast and writers!