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 sooooo disappointed that Code Black is being cancelled! This show is awesome!
The actors are incredible! The story line captivating! I’m hooked! Last nights show riveting!
I hope you rethink your decision to cancel. If Code Black didn’t have good ratings it certainly wasn’t because of the show itself. Maybe if you gave it more publicity and not stuck it at the 10 O’clock time slot more people would watch. I stumbled on it accidentally. Glad I did.
this is one of the best shows on TV on the edge of my seat every episode… this is ridiculous!
I am very disappointed. It is unique and riveting! It should not be canceled!
I am so disappointed! It is one of my favorite shows! Please bring it back!!!
Great sh0w with superb actors. Such a shame it was cancelled. I am very disappointed in CBS
JoAnn
I love this show and would love to see it back!!!
Code Black was an awesome show that I looked forward to seeing every week. CBS needs to bring this show back with all of the original actors, writers and producers because they have the chemistry that makes this show great!
I am very disappointed about the cancellation of Code Black, I loved the show and I watched it every week. There isn’t much TV programming that I can honestly say that I went out of my way to watch but that show was one that I never missed. Why don’t you put on more stupid shows like the bachelor. You must have a chimp as your programmer, that would explain it.
It shouldn’t have been cancelled. Please reconsider.
I am so disappointed.Code Black is the only CBS show that I watch faithfully.As a retired healthcare provider I can relate to the adrenaline rush you experience working through an emergency .Code Black is very well written, full of excitement and very believable. I still can’t believe that it’s been cancelled. Please reconsider.
I am sad to see Code Black taken off of the air. It outshined most of the other stuff that is on the air. Your decision was a poor one and whoever made that decision should be fired.
I could list a lot of shows that should have been cancelled instead of Code Black. What a great show
So disappointed that Code Black was cancelled. What a great show. I could list several shows that should have been cancelled instead of Code Black
I was sooooo sad Code Black was cancelled. Loved the show from the start. Never missed an episode. Do not understand how such an excellent show is axed. If it is based on ratings, maybe CBS is asking the wrong of people. PLEASE reconsider your decision for a fourth season.
Code black is an awesome show! I’m so mad they cancelled it!
Code Black is a show that makes you feel. It is not dead entertainment like some. I go away feeing like I learned a life’s lesson and now can relate to situations around me. Great storylines and great cast. We need more programs that relate to real life. I am left with a lot of deadend programs.