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.
So sad, I really enjoyed this show. The cast was great and I liked how they started with it being a mystery and I would try to figure out who committed the murder. The music was always great too!
Well there went another TV show because the “right” demographics were not watching it! Cold Case not only dealt with old, unsolved murder cases, but also with very complicated family and social dynamics. It was a real pleasure to watch. I am glad that I got to watch it for 7 years, but I am saddened that we didn’t get the chance to see Lily’s relationship with her father and his family blossom.
I also wantedto say that I hate that it was the same night as football because many times I could not even record it because the football would run so late. Please try a new night.
I really hate to see that this show has been cancelled. I loved watching the show. Loved Lily and the crew. I cannot believe the ratings were bad…What will my Sunday night be like without this wonderful show. Very dissappointed. maybe you could have moved to a new night but this show is great.
I really love Cold Case, I’m very sad to see its been cancelled. I liked Without a Trace as well. These were great shows.
Im so sorry cold case was cancelled,,here on the east coast,the football game always had the show starting later , sometimes an hour later,cold case was one of the best shows on tv,hope some one else picks it up,,
I LOVED COLD CASE . IT WAS THE BEST SHOW CBS HAD. I CAN NOT STAND SOME OF THE OTHER SHOW CBS HAS. I THINK CBS SHOULD NOT CANCAL THIS SHOW.SUNDAY NIGHT WAS FOOTBALL FOR THE HUSBAND AND COLD CASE FOR ME .
I am furious that Cold Case was cancelled. I don’t understand what is wrong with CBS. It seems that any show that is not either reality, obscene, or bad comedy gets the axe. The worse part is that we see it one week, then it’s gone. Every long running show deserves an ending, we deserve an ending. The networks only look at a certain demographic (anyone over 30 doesn’t count). So long CBS, you’ve done this too many times. I’m sure Medium will be next as she doesn’t run around half naked and the show is interesting.
I am sadly disappointed that CBS cancelled Cold Case. I was a loyal viewer since it started. I am a mother with three children that barely gets to watch TV. So I always kept whatever day and time slot that Cold Case was on and I watched it religiously. Now what am I going to do? I’m not really interested in any other TV show right now.
I am sorry to see this show cancelled. I loved it. I am not a great TV watcher but this one was so interesting.
I cannot believe “Cold Case” has been cancelled!!!! This is my favorite show and am sad to see the Sunday evening line-up change.
I am very disappointed that the show has been cancelled. It was one of my top favorites and I made a big effort to watch every episode. There should have been a conclusion to the series instead of leaving the characters in limbo. How disappointing!
I’m so disappointed that you’ve take away Cold Case and Without a Trace. They were 2 of my favorite CBS shows. And the shows you are bringing in to exchange them with, I don’t care for. So sad!!
I just read that ‘Cold Case’ has been canceled. I’am so disappointed to read this. I loved that show along with “With out a trace’. All the good ones they remove and keep-add the crappy ones.
Very sad….
I am sorry to see this show is cancelled, I really enjoyed it- I like the fact of solving case up to 20 years old. I will certainly miss the show!!!!!!!!!!!!!