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 totally agree with Clairej. I love both Cold Case & Without a Trace. I loved it when it was airing back to back but then CBS started switching the time slots and I couldn’t figure the time slots for both of my favorite shows. In addition, when I found out Cold Case came after some reality show, it was annoying. I hope NBC will pick up both Cold Case & Without a Trace!
I can’t believe Cold Case is off the air. All this other junk you leave on, and decent tv viewers cannot enjoy that wonderful show. Shame on you.
I loved Cold Case for all the reasons mentioned above. It got pushed back so late at night because of the Sports and I’m positive that’s what happened to the ratings. Now CBS is going to ruin CSI Miami too! Cold Case was a wonderful show–the music was great and the plots were good. It was easy to follow. TV is blasted with sex and violence. Without a Trace was another wonderful show that has fallen by the wayside and replaced with nonsense. TV advertisers should realize that there are still some senior citizens out there spending money who would… Read more »
Cold Case was one of my favorite shows. Why would they get rid of it? There is not much to see on t.v. as it is already. I don’t enjoy reality shows and that’s all there is now. I want Cold Case back on. Please bring it back! PLEASE!!!
I totally agree with all of the above—–bring Cold Case back!!! It was the best show on Sunday night and just because the stupid football games that I couldn’t care less about were never on time, Cold Case took the hit! I would try to have patience till the game would be over and then suffer thru 60 Minutes (that should have been cancelled) until Cold Case was finally shown. Why didn’t they get rid of that mindless reality show instead?????
Cancelling cold case was a very big mistake- great show in wrong time slot – US population doesn’t have patience for inconsistency if start time- now CBs has dine the same to CSI Miami – give it two years before it is cancelled or moved to another night
Cold case was one of the few shows we watch. Networks are making it real easy for us to give up on them. Instead you keep these insipid reality shows and make celebs of these brainless neanderthals. Thank goodness for TNT, USA and DVD rentals cos there is nothing on network tv anymore.
Cold Case was my favorite show! I couldn’t wait for it to come on Sunday Night!! I think it is terrible they let it go! I think from all that shows kinda like it was the best!
Correction to my post, NOT Survivor but the Amazing Race show, just figured the games or whatever else is on and not on time, that keep the times off. Still, a peeve…
Got tired of waiting for a preview of Cold Case for this fall and it’s not going to be back???!!!I’m with Laura, it was great stories and music of our times and those of our parents and of course, the new generation. I hope CBS reconsiders and airs season 8 later in December. Also, Survivor goes over the time slot and should be left for another episode( leave you hanging till the next episode, though it’s not a show that I watch, so whatever) and not intrude on Cold Case time slot, that was my only peeve.
I think the reason Cold Case viewers went south is because of footballs games that ran into thier time slot and the race running over. It seemed last season something was always in the way. I’d much rather see Cold Case!
I have been searching my channel guide for weeks lloking for the next series preimiere. I finally did some checking and was disappointed to find it has been canceled. WHAT THE HECK? The music was great, the drama, the acting. I LOVED THE SHOW FOR 7 YEARS. I hope the “decision makers” as CBS reconsider and get it back in January.
I agree totally with the previous post. It was one of my favs on tv and will miss it.
You keep all these stupid reality shows and than you put Cold Case on Sunday nite after football never knowing when to find it, it wasn’t the shows fault it is CBS for putting it on a nite when football is so popular and never goes off on time. It was one of my favorite shows, one that didn’t make people look like a bunch of idiots and acting all stupid and doing stupid things for the camera. What ever happened to good TV. Reality TV will never replace a good show like Cold Case unless we have all become… Read more »
I think Cold Case was one of the best shows ever! The stories and music took me back to my childhood & teenage years and just times in my past, I loved that about that show. I looked forward to every Sunday so I could watch Cold Case. It is so sad it got canceled. My NBC could pick it up like CBS picked up the show Medium when NBC canceled it!