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 so sad to not see Cold Case in the new line up. I loved this show! A new night however some of these new shows will not do good and then what…don’t mess with a good thing! the grass is not always greener on the other side..ugh! I am watching all the reruns on TNT .. loved this show!
Cold Case was a must for Sunday night viewing. CBS ruined the show by ******** up its time slot with some very boring football games. I guess football sells more beer and thats the bottom line. Very good shows cannt seem to stay around very long. It won’nt be long and CBS ratings will begin to dip, anyway thanks for a well produced show with very memborable actors and great Actress.
I’m sorry that Cold Case was cancelled.
Cold Case and Without a Trace were my favorite non-reality shows. I was sad to see Without a Trace go and now Cold Case. Please bring them back!
Bad decision. This was a must watch every Sunday night for our family. Wonder what crappy reality show they will put in its place. And the final episode was ridiculous. CBS just decided they weren’t bringing it back and didn’t even have a decent final episode. UGH!
Give me a break how long can a boss go undercover with camera’s all around him before everyone figures it out. Cold case was the best show on CBS as far as Drama is concerned. It did not rehash the same story all the time because they were able to change things up with the different time periods. At the very least it would sure be nice if the networks would end the shows if they are doing poorly instead of cancelling them at the last minute.
you should have changed the night. the show is great. but who wants to watch stupid football make it run late every week. c.b.s. will never be turned on in our house hold again. you can tell it was a stupid man who loved football and did not care about what the real people wanted.
i looooooooooved cold case soo much. i’m so sad they cancelled it!
BRING BACK COLD CASE!!! I HAVE NEVER NEVER EVER MISSED AN EPISODE I DONT WATCH TELEVISION AND THIS IS THE ONLY SHOW I WATCH!!!! I MISS YOU LIL AND SCOTTIE….. PLEASE COME BACK
It was great but 7 seasons is a good run. However, I really do not understand how terrible shows like Chuck or Drop Dead Diva get renewals every year while great ones like cold case or Damages don´t. What are people watching????
because the big wigs don’t care about who made them millionairs. so it’s time for all of us to stop watching cb.s. and let them go broke maybe then they will think twice before they cancel the good shows. the only way to make them lisson to us is to turn off C.B.S. THEN THEY WILL GIVE US BACK WHAT WE WANT.
Cold case was/is one of my all time favorite shows. I think that it’s downfall was it’s time and day plavement. Always being pre-empted or cancelled due to the long running football games.
Placing it before Undercover Boss instead of after it would have solved this.
Thankfully, TNT runs repeats, but it’s not the same.
My husband and I enjoyed watching Cold Case. Most people hit the nail on the head when they commented that they felt that a sporting event was the reason the ratings went down. The sporting event would throw the timing of the Sunday night line up completely off. Even my DVR would miss most of the show and it was very frustrating. I also believe a new night would have brought the ratings back to where the should have been…it certainly should have been worth a try.
I agree there are so many sports fanatics that they would watch it over cold case i am very disappointed that in order to see even reruns I have to stay up till 2 am because I work during the day! Bring cold case back!!!
I am so sad! My husband and I loved those shows. They were 2 of only 3 that we watched regularly! So disappointed….
Bad decision! A new night may have helped the ratings. This was an awesome show. CBS let a good show go, guess I’ll watch reruns on the TBS.
Please bring back Cold Case and Without A Trace – 2 of my favorite shows. I watch very little regular tv but LOVED these shows. It was always discouraging for them to be pre-empted by sports so how about putting them on a different night!