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?
It should not have been cancelled, one of the better shows on TV.
Code Black should have definitely been renewed TV Executives these days have a very dim view of quality Maybe FOX will pick it up.
Renew, renew, renew!
I love Code Black please don’t cancel it. CBS think twice characters are wonderful and story line keeps me and all my friends riveted.
Good Show. Wish they would reconsider. Quality TV hard to come by these days.
Code Black should not be cancelled. It’s brilliant!
Nooooo!!!! Please don’t cancel Code Black!! I have watched every episode from first to last and can’t wait for the next one!! Best drama show ever! Please keep it going!!
One of the best shows on TV !!! Hope aren’t putting another stupid game show on!!!!
My husband and I love Code Black. We watch it every week and if we can’t watch then we DVR for later.
No. No. No. Code Black is my favorite show. Through the seasons it has sent me on such an emotional roller coaster. I love this show. The story line continuing with every episode is amazing. I wish CBS would rethink the cancelling of Code Black.
Hell no We loved this show. So upset to see it go. Finally real life program and poof it’s gone
No No No. Code Black should not have been cancelled at all. I’m hoping CBS will see the light and renew this fantastic show. All the good shows are getting cancelled this year and the junk is being left on. Please CBS renew this fantastic show. I would love to see it air for another 15 or so years.
No! Code Back should not be cancelled. I am 76 years old, and I love the show and the cast and will miss all of the characters. Hope enough of us can convince CBS to renew Code Black.
CBS needs to rethink what they are doing. Code Black is a great show. I would love to see it during the prime time season. It has a great cast it brings me back to “ER” days!
Stop cancelling all of the good shows and sticking us with crappy Reality Shows and Game Shows/Variety Shows. I want to escape everyday living, not get even more bummed out over real people living crappy lives!!
My husband and I love this show! Can’t believe it has been canceled. It has a great cast and the episodes are are so exciting. I don’t know why shows like this are canceled and the crazy reality shows stay on season after season!!! Please reconsider!!!