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?
Code Black was my favorite show! The story lines could have continued indefinitely. I was excited to see how the relationships worked out and what new ones would be added or removed. You guys shot yourself in the foot cancelling this series! Shame on you!
Code Black is a good program. It should be renewed for another season. I have watched a lot of programs that lasted much longer and were not as good. CBS needs to renew Code Black.
I definitely do NOT believe that Code Black should have been cancelled!! It is the best show on TV. Their story line is moving, true to life, I worked as an Emergency Nurse for many years and a Trauma nurse and this program is amazing!!! My husband loves it too. The actors and actresses are impressive and the addition of Rob Lowe to the cast was a great move. Everyone on this program has shown excellent acting skills, great story lines, and the ability to work together well and keep things true to life. Please put this program back on… Read more »
can’t believe this show was canceled! it’s a great show, with great actors. the ratings on this site show it was watched by a lot of people. can’t believe they are getting rid of this show and are keeping all of the game and reality shows. really bad move CBS. a lot of people will be upset.
Why do you keep canceling shows that everyone enjoys? And how do you determine ratings? Everyone I know watches Code Black. And I was anxiously looking forward to the 4th season. Who is running CBS now. Whoever it is needs to look again at the ratings. You are wrong.
PLEASE BRING BACK CODE BLACK! As an RN for 43 years, I really enjoyed and appreciated this get show. Set aside special time to watch it each week.
It was one of our families favorite. However, it seem shows like Big Brother and other inane shows survive at the expense of the viewing community sanity. Way to CBS!
I had watched Code Black from the beginning. My family and I enjoyed it immensely. The story lines, actingg and writing were top notch. CBS – please bring this show back!!!
Please bring Code Black back! It is my favorite medical show. The acting was superb and story lines believable.
Code Black was our favorite show. The actors were stellar and the writing top notch. WTH CBS? Too decent for ya? Give us back our Mama, our Daddy, and our whole family!
Code Black was a wonderful show with great story lines. There are many programs on that seem to have poor writing . This one was refreshing to watch…….also great actors. Please bring back.
I was just telling someone how much I loved this show, and it always made me laugh and cry. The writing was excellent, and I the cast was perfect. I hope they decide to bring this excellent program back.
I started watching Code Black in season 3 I really enjoyed that show and I regret that it had to end. Reading TV Guide it seemed that the ratings were always there throughout That season I really don’t understand why it was cancelled
Code Black was the best medical show and perhaps one of the best shows overall. I like character driven shows and this one did the job while at the same time making the adrenaline flow. The writing was great. I don’t think they had one bad show. Hope it gets picked up by cable or a streamer.
Please, please, please bring Code black back! Never have I watched a show where literally every episode k have cried. Such a terrific drama with wonderful characters and engrossing story lines!