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?
Why oh why did they cancel?! This is my favorite show!! Bring it back!!
Code Black should not have been cancelled! It was such a great medical show. I watched every episode and would have continued to watch. They should definitely bring it back. I don’t care what time of year they bring it back, I’m still going to watch!
Renew Code Black. Excellent show and cast.
No. Renew it. I liked it.
I am saddened that yet another wonderful show is canceled. My daughter and I look forward to our popcorn and our Code Black show. Maybe just maybe CBS will reconsider. It would be better to reconsider the time and day the show plays than to cancel it all together. So sad
This is a really good medical drama that I looked forward to watching for the past 3 years. I hope CBS reconsiders their decision.
I have to agree that code black should NOT HAVE BEEN CANCELLED!!!! Why is it every decent show is cancelled while all these garbage reality shows go on and on. Please take into consideration all your viewers are not morons who want to see a bunch of idiots talk themselves to death about nonsense or should I say stupid alliances. Who cares!! This show was a good clean kind show. Forgive us if we all just enjoy a good clean show!!!
Code Black is an outstanding show & I really like the actors & the characters they play. All the comments are good, Linda’s comment really hit home with me. There are too many crazy reality shows & not enough good drama shows like Code Black!
I absolutely do not feel as if this show should have been cancelled. I was an avid watcher of both ER and house and dude all episodes of both shows. This show has a combination of the sarcasm of house and the heartfelt emotion of ER along with enough humor to make you laugh. I am also an Avid Reader and anytime I find an author that can cause many emotions in me I stick with that author. Code black is a TV show that did the same, actually causing me to laugh out loud, shed a tear, and encourage… Read more »
I think they are making a mistake I love this show. I know other people who watch it. I tape it I don’t watch it on the night it on do to my work schedule but I don’t miss a week I am sad to see it go off the air
This is such an Amazing Show! The Series Finale had me in tears! This show NEEDS TO CONTINUE! The cast is Terrific and the story lines are heart felt. So much different than any other show. Please reconsider!
I was so sad to learn Code Black was canceled. It has become my favorite show in spite of the fact it was a summer replcement. The show had a great cast and talented writers. CBS is once again canceling shows with heart and keeping mindless “reality” shows. I rarely watch network TV and now I have one less reason to do so.
I love this show! A little sappy, a little medical, love the Rob Lowe and Marsha Gay Harden!! Please keep this show going.
My husband and I love this show there are not a whole lot of shows that are not the fake “reality” shows. this had wonderful story lines and you fell in love with the characters. Please reconsider
Incredibly disappointed that Code Black has been cancelled. This was a great medical drama. My family and I looked forward to each episode every week. I really hope CBS reconsiders their decision.
Code Black was an amazing medical show and I wish they would bring it back . Me and my friends watched it !!! Please bring it back !