After seven years on the beat, the show’s over for Detective Lily Rush (Kathryn Morris). CBS has officially cancelled Cold Case.
Each episode of Cold Case begins by showing an unsolved crime from the past. The scene then flashes forward to the present day and a group of homicide detectives try to piece together what really happened, using old evidence and new interviews. The series stars Morris, Danny Pino, John Finn, Jeremy Ratchford, Thom Barry, and Tracie Thoms.
Cold Case began in September of 2003 and quickly became a staple of the CBS Sunday night schedule. The crime drama had a successful first season and, by season two, was averaging a 3.5 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 15.1 million viewers. For the next couple seasons, total viewership fell a bit but the all-important demo numbers rose, reaching a 3.8 in season four.
Unfortunately the ratings have come down quite a bit since then. In season five, the show averaged a 2.9 rating and about 12 million viewers. Last season, Cold Case sank lower, to an average of a 2.7 rating and CBS made a choice between renewing ailing Without a Trace or Cold Case. They chose to keep Cold Case but may have regretted it pretty quickly. This season, the show’s ratings dropped even further to a 2.15 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 9.6 million viewers.
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So, while the overall viewership isn’t terrible, the demo numbers are and that’s what brings the ad dollars. CBS often has the most total viewers, but they are often lacking in the 18-49 demo department.
To no surprise, CBS has cancelled Cold Case after seven years on the air. The show won’t be back for season eight next fall. Sadly, the show is not available on DVD. It’s believed that securing the rights for the show’s extensive use of period music is problematic.
What do you think? Are you sorry to see the series go? What could have been done to help the TV show’s ratings?
Image courtesy CBS.
This show was definitely a victim of scheduling. Sunday nights have been full of great TV shows in recent years on various channels, so it’s no surprise that the show that is scheduled to start after 60 Minutes ends- which is WHENEVER the sunday football game ends – is going to lose out to shows that have a regular starting time each week.
I just discovered Cold Case about 6 months ago and LOVE it! How could CBS expect it to do well when most of the year it came on late because of football games running over??? They could have had one less verison of CSI & kept Cold Case.
I’m so distressed to suddenly find out it’s not coming back…It’s the only show my husband and I watched on TV…I thought it was fabulous and the characters so real. It’s as if I’ve lost part of my family!!!! And to think they put on all this junk and all this reality TV and that’s what sells. It’s pretty sad.
I really liked this show. Seriously, I am a little disappointed. I think that they could have saved the show had they had a little more excitement. Made it just a tad more interesting. Bring in some ppl that wld bring in more viewers in that 18-49 demo, it clda been done!
great show….never missed it or did because of football game over laps….demographics or not….was ggod stuff….too bad….another night would have worked, I believe..
You’re joking……..right? You end the season with a cliffhanger, then just cancel the show! I can’t believe television, Jersey Shores, Real Housewives of “whereever”, bachelor and bachelorettes, big brother abusing and ridiculing each other????? People wanting their 15 minutes of fame and not knowing when to quit….yes believe me I am so glad that I have a off button. Cold Case was a well written, interesting show with GOOD ACTING. Television executives, WAKE UP. Stop catering to the wannabes and rewarding bad behaviour with more money!
I loved it! It was truly one of my favorite shows. You should have moved it to another night before canceling it. It is truly a mistake. It is really one of the only good shows left on the local channels. I guess I will be watching mostly cable channels like USA and TNT. I am so sick of stupid reality shows!!!!!!
It’s hard to believe Cold Case was cancelled, it is one of the best shows ever on TV. I absolutely loved it and have been a fan since it came on. I still watch it on afternoons on TNT. Please let some other network pick it up, I am lost without it.
This is really sad. I love cold case. Maybe CBS will change their mind.
Got to be KIDDING!!! What a mistake CBS is making. Cold Case is a wonderful show!!!
Wow!!! I can’t believe CBS would do this. I love the past and present pictures. What a shame!!!
i’m really upset i loved the show..i made sure i was in front or prerecored….i’m really going to miss my show..you should have tried another night..
BRING BACK COLD CASE!!! I LOVE IT!!!
I LOVE Cold Case! I can’t believe it has been canceled! I am sure if they moved the viewing night or found a way to put the show on DVD it would have increased excitment and people could catch up on what they had missed! I know I would love to have the show on dvd.
Are you kidding me? Cold Case is a great show and shouldn’t be cancelled!! Move it to a new night. Maybe another channel should pick it up. Cold Case was the closest I’d get to watching reality tv! Bring it back!
by far my favorite show on TV. I will miss it. I guess viewers don’t enjoy well written, well acted, thoughtful television.