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 very disappointed that Cold Case is cancelled! This was one of my favorite shows and I looked forward to watching it! I think this was a very BAD decision!
This was one of the best shows on television since Northern Exposure!!!! I’m so sorry to see that it has been cancelled. I think CBS has made a mistake. Luckily, I have taped many ephisodes. “Cold Case” was truly creative television.
I’m just so tired of networks canceling shows without giving them an ending. It’s all about the bucks and doesn’t have a thing to do with the story on the show.
BUMMER!!!
I love Cold Case and am very disappointed it was cancelled. I know that one of the problems was the time it was scheduled on Sunday night. Sometimes it was on so late because of the football games it followed that it was too late for me to watch it. I am sure this was true for many fans. They should have changed the night.
I was looking forward to Season 8 of Cold Case, and am just now realizing it has been cancelled. This show was great the way it was, it was very unique in the way the characters were portrayed and I found the music great as well. While I am venting, I will also state that Without a Trace should not have been cancelled in my opinion either. Both shows were very good. I feel there are too many Reality shows( not a fan at all) and both Cold Case and Without a Trace were a great break from the usual.… Read more »
i didnt’ realize that Cold Case was cancelled. It was one of the best shows on…i am really disappointed in CBS. i agree cancel mike and mollie and some of those new shows and bring this one back.
What a great show and I always looked forward to it. Wished they had kept it on @ 8:00 instead of 10. So here we go with more reality shows. Next it will be who can pick their nose the fastest. Always the mighty dollar!! There isn’t anything on CBS, NBC, or ABC worth watching anymore……
I must agree with Roger. The cancelation of Cold Case and Without A Trace have to be the worst decisions ever made by the network powers. They were the most entertaining intriguing shows television may have ever offered and the cast of both shows was absolutely superb. I’m sure they’ll be replaced by another “let’s see how badly we can shock you with blood, guts and warped killers with no happy endings” I will continue to watch the reruns until maybe someone will come to their senses and renew these two great shows.
Shame on you all.
I can’T BELIEVE THIS what a BIG MISTAKE I only watched cbs 2 for those two shows once again cbs disappoints viewers when will you get it right. Shame on you guys. Maybe cold case should not have been on sunday nights it always got jerked around for the football games. Try another night simple solution!!!!!!!!
VERY DISAPPOINTED VIEWER I WILL NO LONGER WATCH CBS EVEN IF THE SHOW LOOKS GOOD WILL NOT TAKE THE CHANCE OF GETTING INVOLOVED IN ANY OF YOUR SHOWS YOU MIGHT PULL THE PLUG WITH NO NOTICE TO A VIEWER. THANKS FOR NOTHING
I have to agree with Roger. Cold Case was certainly one of the better shows on tv, with a top-notch cast. The powers that be are not at all in touch with the viewing public. Lots of us can not watch at times – so we RECORD shows to watch later. Have the network programmers heard of that “new” invention?
This was the one and only show I waited to watch every week. So very disappointed that it’s been cancelled when all these stupid reality shows continue to clog our airwaves.
We love cold case!! We had no idea it was cancelled!! It was a refreshing change from other dramas!! Thanks for nothing CBS!
I can’t believe they cancelled cold case and added another NCIS what the heck??? This show was great, after they cancelled without a trace I felt cheated now they are cancelling another show that is awesome and not even tying up loose ends I think that is a slap in the face to us who appreciated the show. There is nothing I like on CBS now ecept for the amzaing race. Well CBS thinking about cancelling that one also??? I think you just did yourself in!!!!
Another great show down the tubes. As far as I’m concerned every one of the reality shows could be axed!!! Does network TV ever wonder why HBO, etc. are taking their audience?
BOOOOOOOO!!!!!! To CBS for cancelling this show! This was one of the best shows on CBS, here’s one for you CBS immediately cancel Mike & Molly and S*&t My Dad Says and bring back Cold Case
Cat, I agree it is a bummer that Cold Case is gone, but Mike & Molly was the best 1st episode of a sit com that I’ve seen in quite a while. I can do without S*&# my Dad Says, tho.
Proof once again that television network programmers are the least intelligent people on this planet.