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.
I am totally bummed about this. I mean they could of at least ended it and not left everyone hanging. They had the perfect out with the prospect of Lilly going to work for the FBI Cold Case unit in DC. I think the reason ratings were low was because they kept pushing the show later during football season and let the Amazing Race run over and no one ever got to see the ending of Cold Case. It wasn’t available to watch On Demand or on line, and episodes were never rerun, so how could fans keep up? This… Read more »
You are taking away the good shows and leaving the not so good. Loved Without a Trace and Cold Case and of course – do not remember if yours – canceling Law and Order, that killed me.
It’s a damn shame this excellent series was axed. Cold Case was that special combination of characters you could identify with and feel for. And they did an outstanding job getting the passion of the cases and eras covered. Using period music, props and even popular culture of the day made this great drama. Very well written and acted, it had at least a couple seasons left. A Sunday night staple to offset the unending dirge of reality programming. It’s also sad CBS dropped Without A Trace last year. However, at least CBS once referred to as the “Tiffany Network”… Read more »
Hi i am in the UK and we will definatly miss COLD CASE , it seems a lot of good shows are at an end some by thier own hand and others get pushed, will miss it when it goes ther are no new ones to take thier place
there has to be a way to save this show. i have been researching whether or not anyone has started circulating an online petition but maybe it’s too late. i LOVE this show. i can’t see why they would want to cancel a show with such meaty content, great characters, and an extraordinary concept. oh, and I am 31 which is right in the targeted age group. give it another shot with a stable time slot. pleeeeeease!
Have to agree with Cathy; it was in a lousy time slot, constantly pre-empted by endless hours of Sunday football. Even the DVR did not pick up the time shifts. The CSI shows, particularly CSI Miami are getting tired and dull; “Cold Case” was always fresh and moved along at a good clip; good stories, acting, guest stars. It deserved another chance on a different night, but no one every accused TV execs of thinking too much.
They are cancelling all my favorite shows! Without a Trace, now Cold Case. And, on NBC Law and Order. Probably they will all be replaced with another stupid dumb— sitcom! Doesn’t anyone appreciate good drama anymore?
Stop cancelling great shows! What is wrong with you, I don’t know about you but I’d much rather watch good dramas and comedies over stupid reality shows any day!
Agree, I can’t stand reality shows, especially the CBS ones, I cant believe they’ve been on as long as they have.
totaly agree with you
Cold case is one of the best shows on tv. Why did they cancel another one of my favorite shows. Without a trace was another…………….Please where can i campaign for it to be renewed………………………….
I am also disappointed with the cancelation of Cold Case. When can anyone watch a program that has an interesting story and a “case” to be solved ? The previous posters are correct when they say that it got murdered by the Sunday football games, and the Amazing Race and one could never tell what time it would begin. But, the characters were great and the storylines were also. It’s a shame that the only shows that seem to be on TV are reality shows. I for one am sick to death of the reality show S*** that dominates the… Read more »
I love this show. However, maybe they should of had it on Tues or Weds night at 8 instead of Sun at 9 central time. I hope they continue it, it was a really good show. I love CBS shows!!
Could not believe the morons at CBS cancelled Without A Trace and had this vague feeling the same fate would befall Cold Case. Love both these well – played, beautifully executed shows. Cannot believe they are really going forward with this very lousy idea. TV is now more than ever a wasteland. Too bad. What can we, the viewers, do? Sincerely hope this is one corporate decision that gets reversed. Small chance, I am sure. Perhaps another network will pick up this great show. I wonder how long before Jethro Gibbs and the NCIS team get axed by these mental… Read more »
all the good shows go away
This was a great show and CBS ruined it during football season…it would always run late so I’d get half of the Amazing Race on my DVR recording….no surprise that ratings were down. They should have moved it to a different night or replayed episodes. I’m mad about Numbers too – that was a great show….if only they could have cancelled CSI Miami instead!
cold case is my favorite show. i watch always. it’s the only show that it a point to watch. we all used to have a few shows we always watched.now this was it. never knowing when or if it would be on certainly had a lot to do with the ratings no doubt. you can shove all those realality shows who wants to watch someone eat worms.screw regular t.v. i’m glad i put cold case on dvds myself.don’t need those clowns telling me what to watch.thanks cold case for some great viewing.rocky.