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.
Can’t believe they cancelled the best show on TV. I’m done with CBS and TV in general. I hate all of the reality shows and other stupid junk on TV.
The reason the ratings went down is because shows that ran before it constantly ran late, which I am sure most people aren’t going to stay up really late to watch it. They also don’t broadcast the show online like most of their other shows, so if you miss it, you don’t see it. What ever show they put in that time slot will always loose viewers, unless it is aired online.
I agree! They should let us have a good series finale if they are canceling. Some of us have dedicated seven years to the show to have the ending be completely open ended. It’s really not fair, I don’t see how networks can expect loyalty when they don’t honor the viewers they do have for their loyalty. I need closure 🙂 (…stupid gilmore girls)
They shouldnt have moved Cold Case’s time slot to 10pm. I loved the show. I never missed an episode. The network should have moved the show to another night and back to 9 pm before the decision was made!
I enjoyed Cold Case. I think the problem was that they changed the time slot too many times.
Cold Case is one of my favorite shows. It’s was such a good show to watch. So original and well done. I’m so disappointed by its cancellation. So much crap makes it and a lot of quality doesn’t. It is so sad that this is how networks are run. CBS has never been my favorite network. In fact, I can’t think of more than a few shows I’ve actually liked on CBS. Cold Case proved that all their shows weren’t bad. Now that’s gone too. I really hope another network picks it up. I doubt that any will but I… Read more »
I love this show. The problem is (and it does not take a rocket scientist to figure this out) the time slot is constantly bumped later and later due to sports shows that run late. Working people cannot stay up until 11+ to see the show. Solution………..change the night or put it on earlier and let the race begin at a later time.
Cold Case is the best show on t.v.! It also has the best cast! I also think there are too many reality shows on television. Don’t we watch t.v. to escape reality? Get rid of a few of those, and the networks might actually find times for the programs so deserving of these timeslots. This show is different from the other crime shows. Most of them have become cookiecutter. Cold Case delivers an intriging and entertaining show every week. And yes – it is really sad when a great pasttime like watching t.v. and liking what we are watchng comes… Read more »
This is beyond rediculous. Cold Case is the best show on t.v.! It also has the best cast! Each episode is unique and entertaining. The diversity of the cast ensures there is something for all viewers. There are many crime shows on t.v.; but none offer the detailed backgrounds of the characters like Cold Case. Also, they are all pretty cookiecutter. Cold Case did it differently – and better! I also think it is insane to keep all these reality shows. Don’t we watch t.v. to escape reality? I sincerely hope that a more intelligence network will pick up this… Read more »
This has been my favorite show EVER. The actors are wonderful. I feel they are making a big mistake but I just wish they could do a series finale. I really am disappointed in CBS for cancelling this show. If they had found more cases (older cases), I think it would have worked out. I am hoping they renew this show. Katheryn Morris is really good. If they must be taken off, please at least let us see the cast one more time and write a good series finale.
I am so sad that Cold Case is cancelled. I was hoping so badly they would give it another season. They moved it’s air time to a later time and it made it lose so many viewers. They should of moved it back to it’s original time slot and gave it another season! I am so upset they cancelled this great show and like another person said…they keep all the crappy shows on!
Please bring back “Cold Case” I can’t believe it is being cancelled. Always looked forward to Sunday night and watching my favorite show. Hopefully, a network more viewer savvy than CBS will pick it up. No more CBS for me. There are plenty of more responsible networks available for viewing.
The most idiotic shows stay on the air while great shows like Cold Case and Without A Trace are canceled. I don’t understand why the good stuff can’t make it. It is sad it has to always come down to money and ads.
they are making a big mistake
the story lines and actors were very good they made a big mistake