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’m really sad to see this show go. I love code black. I have since it first aired. I really wish it was coming back for another season. Another great show for the axe. While shows like big brother continue.
Love love this show! My husband and I can’t wait to watch every week. CBS you definitely failed in this one. bring it back please!
I love Code Black! I’ve seen every episode!
I can’t believe another GOOD show had to be cancelled!!! I always looked forward to the next every week.
I am so disappointed that Code Black has been cancelled. I have loved this show since the very beginning and can’t understand why a program gets cancelled when the content, message and actors are so great? Having 5 to 7 million viewers doesn’t matter? With so much mindless programming being shown these days, I guess I’ll have to go back to reading books! Thanks CBS!
Extremely disappointed they cancelled Code Black. I looked forward to watching it every week. I hope they reconsider this poor decision or hope another network renews it.
Bring it back please!!!
noooooo! it has to be cost why they are cancelling and not because of quality. One of the best shows on tv and now its gone while other pointless (cheap) shows remain. Come on Netflix – save this show! may as well cancel network tv and make the switch to Netflix etc
My husband and I have loved this show from the beginning. We are so attached to the characters and the story lines. Rob Lowe joining the cast added another interesting character and created a whole other facet to the show. We are so sad that Code Black has been cancelled. If the ratings were low, the network is responsible for not marketing properly to catch a larger audience. They missed the mark big time!
Very upset they cancelled Code Black. I too believe there were other shows that could have been cancelled. I am sad for the cast, I feel they did a great job. I say…bring it back!!
My husband and I both loved this show and watched it together (rare for us to find on we both liked). I hope the network reconsiders. They could unwrap all the tidy character storyline!endings from the “finale”:)
I am so upset that you took Code Black off the fall schedule. It is one of the best medical dramas and the best show on TV. I never miss it even if I can’t watch that evening…I always have it taping. It seems like the shows I really like are cancelled….so sad. Please bring the show back!!!
I look forward to Code Black every season. I am so sad they are being taken off the air. There are so many bad shows out there and this is definitely NOT one of them!!
I am so upset that Code Black has been cancelled! It has been my favorite show. I have some health issues so I watch a lot of tv. Code Black should NOT have been taken off tv. There are some really stupid shows on and I just can’t believe they are still on but a show that can be deep sometimes, educational, outstanding actors/Actresses…. so much more. It’s just gone! Bad move!
we believe code black is one of the better shows this summer. when you look at the choices, its not good–Big Brother is so bad–bring it back.