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.
This is one of CBS biggest mistakes, cold case is the best show they have, cancelling this show will be the biggest regret they ever made.
I am sad and quite upset that this show is cancelled. They could have at least ended the show with a series finale, no closure is what CBS is famous for.
To be blunt, CBS put it in a time slot they KNEW it would do poorly in, not even season 6’s ratings were as poor as season’s 7’s were… and that’s due to the time they put it in. Watch what happens to CSI Miami..come this time next year, that will be getting the ax as well.
I loved this show and am going to miss it terribly. I love the crime shows and this one was one of the few that didn’t get into crime lords, drug cartels, etc. It stuck with a crime was committed and solved. I am very sorry to see it go.
Okay, we guys are guilty of enjoying our sports. Good shows like Cold Case & Without A Trace would have done great if we had a choice between them & the junk on almost any other night. Wake upCBS!!! Move this show and you will see we will tune in.
Why was this awful show on television for so darn long? I enjoyed a few episodes early on in its run but this was the show that never wanted to die, finally. Good riddance.
I am really getting disgusted with cbs They put shows on sunday after sports and u never know what time u r show is going to play. I loved Without A Trace and Cold Case and everybody I talk to say the same thing. Now they are going to CSI Miami on Sunday night Another favorite show of mine I guess I”ll be saying goodbye to that one too. Because CBS never gives me a final show.
I am extremely disappointed that Cold Case is being cancelled. This is the only show I regularly wait to see and follow. It is a classy show, with a classy group of actors and keeps to the purpose of the plot…..finding the solution to old murders rather than focus too much on the personal lives of the characters.
First, Without a Trace is cancelled now Cold Case. I could live without Trace but not Cold Case!
My favorite show and I am very dissippointed, An excellent show! The only one that I watch consistently, always make a point to watch it, Wonderful acting, real characters, great music, Not bloody like most of the shows on Tv of that ilk. Not brainless like the rest of TV and the reality shows intelligent. again, very upset. Other favorite shows in the past were Cagney and Lacy and Boston Legal. I don’t watch much prime time TV , I know that there are other good shows but I am selective of my time Cold Case made my Sundays special… Read more »
My favorite show! If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. As far as I can see, this show has lots of viewers and fans. No one’s ever polled me to see what I watch. How do they know it has poor ratings? Don’t cancel Cold Case CBS!
figures every time a show that i like gets cancelled i hope tnt will pick it up
CBS has done it again. If you’re not in the ‘demographic’ you’re screwed.
I am so very disappointed that this show is cancelled. We look forward to watching this every Sunday night. I think this is a mistake.
Another great show that CBS is cancelling. Now there is nothing worth watching on Sunday nights. As a long time viewer of CBS, I really don’t know what the other networks offer. Will have to give them a look.
Fans: send this letter below to TNT at the address below- maybe we can get the show transferred. Sign your name at the bottom. May 22, 2010 TNT 1010 Techwood Drive NW Atlanta GA 30318 Dear TNT Programming Representative, Cold Case is unparalleled as a dynamic television series. The show has a tremendous following of 10 million loyal fans. On CBS, Cold Case was preempted too often this season, airing at inconsistent times and generating scheduling conflicts. Unfortunately, this problem harmed an excellent show. Now, Cold Case fans appeal to TNT to support the program for Season 9. This proposal… Read more »
Cold case is one of the few shows that I followed reguarly. It was unique and well written. It was never given a fair chance onm then station and time it was on. It was impossible to keep up with during football and survivor. I hope that it can be given a chance to thrive. It is a wonderful show. Thanks, Wendy Walker
If switching to TNT will keep the show running then so be it. I LOVE THIS SHOW. I look forward to sundays just to watch this show. If switching to TNT means viewing it on a different night go ahead. I won’t miss an episode.
I love that show. Cold Case is actually the only series TV that I watch so I am going to really miss it. I think its a great show. I am really surprised that it won’t be back. 🙁