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 COLD CASE !!!! WHY ON EARTH DID THEY NOT RENEW IT ? AS OTHERS HAVE STATED IT NEVER CAME ON AT IT’S CORRECT TIME DUE TO GAMES CARRYING OVER AND THE AMAZING RACE ….. I’M SO TIRED OF ALL THE REALITY SHOWS MYSELF …. I’M TO THE POINT I DON’T CARE TO WATCH TV ANYMORE EVERY TIME I GET IN TO A SHOW IT’S CANCELLED …..
It is hard to even comment on what to me was an unbelievable decision by cbs. This was my favorite show and one my husband even liked so we could actually watch a show together. How hard is it for cbs to realize that the problem was that no one ever knew when the show would be on because of sports and the stupid reality show bumping into our show. I am so upset by this I will not watch any new cbs shows.
I have really missed this show, which I thought was one of the better produced programs of its kind. The “period” music and songs were great and special to those of us that lived through those times. Also, I was impressed with the way in which they were able to faze time lapses back and forth, very well produced. I believe that CBS made a big mistake by cancelling this show.
I am so upset that Cold Case was cancelled. It was one of my favourite shows. 🙁
I loved the show Cold Case. I can’t believe CBS decided to cancel the show. It was on the wrong night. The show never started on time. I think CBS should reconsider cancelling Cold Case. CBS should try Monday night – there’s nothing good on that night. I also was a fan of Without A Trace. That was a great show also.
As a philly fan, I am very disappointed in the show’s cancellation…no finale, no tying up loose ends at least???? Sheesh! I used to love watching the show and seeing my city…well I guess they have to make room for those scintillating reality shows that are so important to everyone EXCEPT me…cripes!
For what it’s worth to CBS, most of these comments are right on! Recording Cold Case was impossible during football season because you never knew when it would start. And watching a game you don’t care about when it’s not your teams, hoping for the end so Cold Case would come on, was just ridiculous. In our case, it wasn’t a matter of switching to another station to fill the time. We just didn’t watch TV … so nobody won. Not another station, not another advertiser, and not viewers who really appreciated the creativity and nostalgia in Cold Case. Put… Read more »
They need to get rid of the amazing race and put cold case back on !
Cannot believe that the show is cancelled and how hard it was to confirm this. I for one totally believe that the issue was more that football did not end on time, making Amazing Race cover half of the Cold Case time.
I LOVED COLD CASE! It was dumb for CBS to put it opposite Desparate Housewives. And you are right Christine, you couldn’t record it. Boo to CBS!
Was a great show. Sorry to see it go. Sunday night was not a good time, with football and everything. That’s why Hawaii Five O is on Monday.
I am going to freak out!! I can’t believe they cancelled it!! Sunday’s usually game day or family day for those who have young kids, they should have just changed the day. I DVR all my shows and was teed off when I Found out they cancelled Cold Case. I’ve seen every episode each week since it has been on the air. This Sucks!!
If you moved it to some other night, it would have kept its’ ratings. I loved the series but
sports on Sundays made it irritating to watch. Never knew when it would start; got tired of testing the channel to see if ” Cold Case” started yet. Couldn’t record it – never knew when it would start. I guess the same thing is going to happen to “CSI Miami.” I recorded it on seasoning opening and got “Undercover Boss.” Why not put some filler in on Sunday night and put the good shows where sports will not bother them.
Christine
Unbelievable Cold Case was one of the best shows but it got sabotaged by the fact it never came on the time it was supposed to because it got delayed by games survivor amazing race. The worst part is they didn’t let the show have a finale season. The cliffhanger was good but I guess we would never know what happened. I’m really starting to believe its not worth it to invest my time in any show on CBS. I am very saddened by the cancellation of Cold Case I absolutely love love this show I guess I will watch… Read more »
What are you thinkin?The reason that viewership is down is because of the football games going so long that by the time cold case is broadcast it is so late! Give us a break!
Find a good time slot for the wonderful show that it is.Cancel some of the shows that are just nonsense for a change!