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 LOVE Code Black, as does my husband…we are so disappointed!!
The show should have been renewed. It was good quality and entertaining. Rating don’t tell you everything. Foolish decision cancelling it.
This is the only medical drama that came close to filling the hole that ER left, it was a huge mistake on CBS’ part to cancel it.
I LOVE Code Black! Please bring it back!!!
I love this show. It needs to come back.
PLEASE CBS.. RENEW LOVE this show. Wednesday is my CODE BLACK NIGHT!!!!!!!! THINK AGAIN CBS.. YOU owe it to loyal CBS FANS. IF NOT, YOU WILL LOSE MILLIONS OF FANS. THINK OF US AND NOT THE RATINGS, THEY CHANGE BY THE PEOPLE. THANKS
I LOVE Code Black!! BRING IT BACK!!!!
Code black is a great show couldn’t wait for the next season to start. Bad decision to cancel. I’m so sick of getting into s great show and then you guys cancel it. I’m really ready to give up tv . Get rid of stupid reality shows like big brother. Dumb.
I SO TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU!!!
BRING IT BACK !! Everyone I know watches it & loves it !!! Great writing & characters ! BS on the numbers !
YES!!! I AGREE WITH YOU 1000%!!!
This show was great….. being it back!!!!
I’m not ready for this show to go. I wish it could be saved. Season 1 x 09 cemented my status as a fan with quite a poignant scene where Broadway singers rendered an a capella version of, “He lives in you” from The Lion King.
I am very sad to hear that Code Black was cancelled!! I really enjoy watching this medical series (even more than a couple that have many seasons!)
🙁
It was a great show, stellar performances, great writing
I enjoyed this show from Day1!
Loved the actors and plots.
Thank you for a a Great ending, which if miraculously renewed can continue on.
I’m shocked this wonderful show has been cancelled. It has consistantly been one of the best shows on tv. Great actors. Great writing. Smart show whose cast becomes family. I am so very disappointed.