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.
 Loading ... |
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.
Networks playing up to the 18-49 demographics is total bull. Those age groups are into facebook and tivo…..so they are not watching the show as the networks claim. Your senior citizens and baby boomers are the ones with the time and money……so how about considering your elders for a change?
It was a wrong thing that CBS cancel a series in top 20…. Cold Case was the series…10 Million viewers watched it…#17th in the season final …..10 Million love COLD CASE…..MISS IT…..& WANT IT BACK…. THERE IS A PETITION FOR COLD CASE ….. LETS GET AN 8TH SEASON FOR THIS GREAT COP SHOW…..PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION …. SO COLD CASE CAN THIS 8TH SEASON IT DESERVES.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/coldcase8th9thseason-50episodes
THANKS
Dodge Saienni
A BIG COLD CASE FAN
No other crime and justice show had the kind of spin and drama as this show has and I watch a lot of television! The very least CBS could have done was give us a farewell show. Give us a chance to see what happens to everyone and how the show is concluded. It’s not too late though for the head guys of CBS to rectify this terrible oversight for the millions left of us who really enjoyed this offering. Perhaps it could be done as a 2-hour finale. I highly doubt they will lose any money, in fact I’m… Read more »
I too have been waiting for Cold Case and am disappointed that CBS decided to cancel the show along with Without A Trace. Reality shows are becoming a pain especially Undercover Boss.
what a shame. the only show that can take me back in time and to the present. i could connect to every story told. and cry for the unjust of people. truly be missed. and to the cast. lilly the first women detective. you rock. come back some how. a true fan..
Sorry to see that Cold Case was canceled .I like the episodes that went back to the 60s and before .
Why did they do it? I too was awaiting its return and checked Google and found it had been cancelled. My weekend is filled with repeats and nothing on television. What were the producers thinking. These reality shows are getting viewers because there is no good shows on. They need to review the weekend schedule and put Cold Case repeats on Saturday or Sunday evening just to see what kind of viewship they get. And Monday–OMG!!! Try Monday too.
What the hell are you asses thinking canceling COLD CASE! I will not watch anything on CBS!!!! You suck!!
I agree….I only watched the crap they had on waiting for Cold Case…….and how could anyone keep up….the way they kept messing with the time slots…I understand that the football game would go over….but they really messed up the time slots….I have watched a lot of “Amazing Race” just waiting on Cold Case…guess what??? It’s not amazing!!!! and I will watch no more!!!
they do suck. i too wont watch the channel.
CBS — very disappointing not to bring back Cold Case. I am not afan of CBS now……….in fact there are going to be changes in what I watch and if it comes from CBS – it is time to take a good look at what else in on instead.
I think that all you TV executives are class-less pigs and you cut the wrong shows and I am sick it so I am going to do more about it in my little world.
Very upset to see this isn’t coming back – thought Undercover Boss was just a fill-in maybe until January. Lots o’ unfinished business not to mention John Finn’s great performances.
This was one good show.Why do you always cancel the best shows.????I will not be watching CBS much anymore.Bring Cold Case back…
My husband & I were both so disappointed last year when Without A Trace was canceled and this fall we have been looking for Cold Case to return and now I find out they are all done. What a mistake those two shows were definately 2 of the best shows that CBS had. Why do they cancel shows that are so good and leave some on that are bad. A lot of people I have talked to also feel the same way these were two very good shows.
I can’t believe such a great show would be canceled. I’m also sorry to see Without a Trace go too. These were two of my favorite shows. Please bring them back. I also don’t like CSI Miami being moved to Sunday Night. You have ruin my tv schedule. Leave things alone.
another great show bites the dust for the stupid reality shows!!! Cold Case and Without a trace were both great shows!!!!!
I’ve been waiting for the next season. Some shows don’t start until very late like November or even January. I finally started to wonder if I’d missed it and it had moved to another night. Come to find out it’s been cancelled! It’s too bad. I loved this show. I watch a lot of cops & robbers shows, but this was one of my favourites. It always had good plots/story lines. Original too for the times and social issues it explored. We saw a glimpse of the main characters’ personal lives but not too much, not to the point of… Read more »