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?
Very shocked and disappointed about the cancellation. Best show ever-never missed it. Even my granddaughter loved it who wants to be a doctor. My husband loved it as well! So many other shows to have considered!
Code Black should NOT be cancelled, Please reconsider and Bring It Back. if necessary change the schedule but PLEASE bring it back
No it shouldn’t be cancelled. It’s the only night I actually watch tv anymore. I’m a a former ER nurse and I enjoyed this show more than other medical dramas offered.
I’m sick of actual reality tv crap.
I loved Code Black!!
Big mistake CBS!! Code Black is one of the best. I cried because it was the last show but mostly because the final show was so moving
I’m so sad you’ll cancelled another good show, Code Black is an excellent show, I’ve been watching since it started. This show deals with so many subjects. Very disappointed. 🙁
The show was just getting good.. I hope another station picks them up. All the good shows are gone. I.e The Underground……Code Black……Too Close Too Home…..Being Mary Jane……Third Watch……The Brave….Just to name a few..
I was shocked at the cancellation! This was a must see series with a great story line and cast. It seems like the great shows always get cancelled. Please bring it back.
I wish Code Black had not been cancelled. I really enjoyed the show.
This is a huge mistake! Code Black is by far the best medical based show on television. The character development is solid and the writing is fresh. If CBS doesn’t see a future for Code Black then by all means let’s let the new “bigboy” on the block take over! Netflix original shows are destroying the networks and seem to be about the fans not the “out of touch” board of directors. Are the days of a long standing relationship with your favorite characters coming into your living room each week gone? Television fans have lost trust in the networks… Read more »
I have never viewed a show that was such a well done emotional roller coaster, week after week. What incredible acting. Such a loss that the show was canceled.
No. I wish this show would not have been canceled. You did a good ending though. I really enjoyed this show. Love the whole cast. Hope to see some of them on something else.
I thought the show was very good and realistic. The story lines were excellent and the characters were true to life with their struggles. I was an avid viewer and upset that CBS cancelled the show. Agree that it is better than Salvation and Imthink CBS made a mistake.
No the series should not be cancelled. High level of action and lots of interpersonal character involvement. A real shame….maybe USA/TNT/TBS or even Hulu/Netflix will pick it up.
I am really upset that Code Black has been cancelled. There are so many boring poorly written shows on TV today, however that is not the case with Code Black. The actors are great and the each series has been well written. Please reconsider this decision and renew for season 4. I am slowly losing interest with CBS as you continue to cancel all of your good shows.