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 am so disappointed that Code Black is cancelled ! Every time there is a great show, they get cancelled . I watched every week , loved the cast and story line. CBS is making a mistake !
How awful of CBS to cancel such a riveting show like Code Black. To add to the magnetism of the show with such great actors performing in a such realistic manner. This show is a captivating weekly series that should not be cancelled!! What is wrong with CBS??
Absolutely the best show on TV! I hope another network has more intelligence than CBS.
Please reconsider!!!!!!!!!!
It shouldn’t have been cancelled please reconsider. I’m sure glad I recorded the shows. What a mistake!!!!
I really think it should have been renewed ! I love this show !!
I am so disappointed that code black has been canceled. It was well written and well acted, it did not deserve to be axed.
I have watched and loved this show since the Season 1 and am angry and sad that it was cancelled. Please reconsider and bring it back!
They should renew it
No, it should never have been cancelled.
Code Black is one of our favorite shows. It’s well written and interesting each episode. This is its best season so far. We love the new characters with the mix of hospital and personal stories. Our fingers are crossed the CBS will come to their senses and bring the show back!
Cannot believe Code Black is being cancelled. One of th best shows on tv. CBS should reconsider and bring it back for another season.
I absolutely love Code Black. It is a terrific show. Looked forward to it each week. Why do such good shows always get cancelled? The cast is wonderful and adding Rob Lowe was a brilliant mive. Fix up Angels and bring her back.
I really liked the show and could not believe it was cancelled. Please bring it back.
I agree. I really really like the show. I watched every episode. Never missed an episode of all 3 seasons. It should not have been cancelled! Please bring it back.
I am so upset this show was canceled … it is the BEST drama on TV and never had a fighting chance due to its lousy slot. Why can’t Netflix or Fox pick it up???