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.
CBS: why must the rest of us bow down to the 18-49 demographic–I know I have a lot more purchasing power than most people in their twenties and probably their thirties. Cater to me and leave well-written and well-acted grown up shows on instead of the juvenile reality shows.
It was my favorite show—always looked forward to Sunday night, and a quiet night at home with Cold Case. What to do now? Big mistake CBS. Is CSI Miami next on your chopping block?
My wife and I loved Cold Case. Whay CBS would cancel such a well made show is beyond me. I’m done with CBS.
WOW!!! I was searching to find out when the new season of Cold Case was starting, only to find that it had been cancelled? How do they figure out how many are watching the shows? I think their system is messed up!!! I found it hard to believe when they cancelled the show, Without A Trace, and now this show? Next it will be NCIS and the original CSI, then there will not be much left on CBS to watch. I don’t get into any of the reality shows, maybe they should stop and listen to some of these comments… Read more »
I had been wondering for quite some time now, what had happened to both Cold Case and Without a Trace. I always looked forward to seeing both of these shows. I felt these shows enlightened things. These shows left me thinking, that maybe some day the real world, would be this way. To not just let the past get buried and just forgotten. Not that my comments will make a difference. However I just had to vent my opinion, of what I feel were bad decisions on your part
We have been waiting and waiting for Cold Case to start this fall! It was our favorite show. We couldn’t understand why it was taking so long to come back, then decided to check online to see what happened and saw that CBS canceled it. We can’t believe it! What is wrong with them? Surely others found this show entertaining! What else is there on Sunday nights that could possibly be getting better ratings? What a disappointment!
Boo-Hoo! (Appropriate response for Halloween, don’t you think!)
This is a HORRIBLE DECISION. They keep taking the good shows that you can actually watch and enjoy!
The best show in the last 20 years.It had good music and always exiting.The cast was excellent and seemed to work well together.I am really going to miss it i guess i will have to watch the reruns.
CBS is ignorant of what the viewers want to see…..Cold Case was a unique show which I enjoyed the entire time it was on the air. Some other stupid reality show to take its place I am sure. Ignorant decision CBS….the problem was that it was always running late due to football….you never knew what time to tune in to actually view the show and for those of us that work many go to bed early on Sunday night……..couldnt set the DVR cause it started at different times every week. That probably dropped the viewership.
Another great show taken off for another stupid reality show. I’ve watched every eposode, it’s a thoughful crime drama not just another shoot and kill drama. You need to bring back Cold Case. CBS seems end all the entertaining show and keep all the crap, maybe that’s why there not #1. BAD DECISION.
What the hell…. my husband and I watched every episode of Cold Case for the last 7 years. We were waiting for it to come on this season and noticed this website…
Now Sunday nights are boring .. who cares if a boss goes undercover… of course there are people in every company that don’t work or are good workers. These people already make millions being the owners of the company….. and why is CSI Miami where Cold Case belongs…. don’t let me get started about that show.. that is for another post..
CBS seems to cancell all of the entertaining shows. I just hope we’re not in for another reality TV show. Sunday night will not be the same.
cbs is really starting to piss me off. they have cancelled 3 of my all time favorite shows in the last 2 years. the newer shows are not close to being like those 3 shows. the shows i am talking about are without a trace,cold case,and ghost whisperer. i never watch cbs anymore due to this reason and i imagine im not the only viewer that agrees with me.
My wife and I enjoyed Cold Case (every episode) and cannot believe that you cancelled the show. We are extremely disappointed and so wish that you would bring the show back. Sunday night is no longer the same.
I don’t know what’s wrong with CBS. They have always cancelled the good shows and kept the ****** ones. Cold Case and Without A Trace were not only entertaining; but enlightening. These shows helped teach our children that crime doesn’t pay (an old slogan from the 50’s that never should have stopped being aired). Bring these shows back. I don’t believe for one minute that the ratings were poor. Everyone on my block and my entire family (even those out of state) watched these two shows religiously.