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?
I don’t usually watch medical dramas but code black is not only a medical drama, but an awesome show. The characters are well developed and the story lines are believable. It would be a travesty if this show is cancelled!
this was a big mistake, my wife and I are in the 55-65 demographic and being there we spend a lot of time watching television as opposed to going out and we were really enjoying this program. we don’t understand why all programming seems to be aimed at the younger generations and they are the ones who spend far more time out than watching t.v. we seem to lose out on all the programs we like and are aimed toward more reality shows than we can take.
We really enjoyed the showand lead characters. Better than all the fake voyeur shows – bachelor, survivor, etc
We think CBS is making a huge mistake cancelling Code Black. This was an amazing show and is the only show that we look forward to watching. We always have to tapeitand watch it another day because of the time. I wonder if they had tried to relocate it to a different day or time it might have had more successful ratings. I am praying that CBS rethinks its decision to cancel this amazing show
I absolutely love this show. All the good shows get cancelled. Maybe CBS will have a change of heart???
Please don’t cancel Code Black, it is such an awesome show. Have not missed one from the start.
Code Black was an absolutely amazing medical drama. CBS was foolish to cancel it and should re-evaluate its decision. All my friends love the show.
I’ve known for years that Network TV shows are platforms for advertising…but when the show is good, ads get watched and products/services are sold and everyone is happy. Good examples are Scandal, Grey’s Anatomy and Chicago Med. Good story lines…good platforms for advertisers! Code Black had good writers, good acting , engaging story lines and way above the mindless comedy shows that get great ratings from folks who don’t want to really watch TV as an “engagement” process where they get involved in the storylines. It is sad that “ratings” based on a stacked set of household chosen by a… Read more »
Very disappointed they cancelled the show. I thought the acting and writing were great! I will miss this show
Please keep this show.
Code Black is an awesome show. This show spoke about real life things and rugged at the heart strings every week. The cast is amazing and told real stories. I looked forward to every week and now it’s gone just like that. That’s a shame. I hope CBS reconsiders their decision.
Cannot believe this show got cancelled; for some reason the best shows get cancelled this stinks!!
BRING BACK THE SHOW! SO GOOOOOOD! Best med drama I watched
Please dont cancel Code Black. Great show!!!!
I loved this show and wish that CBS had renewed it. I will miss watching it and hope that they will reconsider canceling it.