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,LOVED THE SHOW!
oh my gosh i can’t believe cbs took cold case off to.. first without a trace then this yall people at cbs need to wake up and stop taking the good shows off and putting junk in there place
It seems that CBS always cancel the best shows and keep the ones, I feel, are just boring.
For instance, why would cancel Without a Trace, Numbers and Cold Case and keep the Mentalist. I watched one episode of this show and DID not like it and it’s main character. It is a very boring show.
could not wait for cold case to come on sunday nights. bring it back some of us still like to watchit. you took away without a trace.and you put M-CSI.ARE YOU CRAZY
Cold Case was my favorite show. I loved Without A Trace too. You blew it CBS! Getting rid of those shows and keeping ones like How I met your mother and The Big Bang Theory….unreal………you really blew it!
Was the best show on TV. Bring it back on a different night.
I think that CBS shouldn’t have cancelled Cold Case, it was a show that i looked forward to seeing on Sunday Night. Maybe the reason for the drop was that it came on late when there was a football game.
I can’t believe CBS has cancelled one of the best shows it had. They should get rid of that stupid Amazing Race or 60 minutes.
What’s next CSI Miami????
I am sick to see this series go. I never missed an episode. I can understand Without a Trace but why Cold Case?????? I even watch every re run! CBS cancels all of the new shows that are good. I know now to never watch a new series on CBS!
I really regret them cancelling Cold Case. My family looked forward on Sundays to watch it…I guess we can now watch all the jewelry shows, religious shows wanting your money…stupid reality shows or just turn the set off…..
I’m so disappointed that this was cancelled. Bad enough they got rid of Without a Trace.
Cold Case was a great show without being too gory and vulgar like alot of the cop show on now. Bad move CBS!!!
This was definitely one of my favorite shows. I really hate to see it taken off the air. I loved the way the show showed events in the past and present. Even though it jumped around, it was very easy to follow. I would love for the producers to find a way to bring it back.
I loved the show. My family watched it every sunday night. I can’t believe it is gone.
In a time where reality shows seem to be taking over the airways, I found it relaxing to watch Cold Case. I looked forward to Sunday nights! I’m truely saddened by CBS’s decision to cancel the show.
This was about the only show I enjoyed watching other than Without A Trace, which was canceled last year. I guess I will stop watching TV on Sunday nights or better yet I will go back to Lifetime for Women.