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 upset! Cold case was an awesome show! Reality tv is awful and so tired of it. Good shows are a rareity anymore! Goodbye CBS! If they were to have moved it to another day and time it would have worked!
I just discovered Cold Case, and …poof!… it’s gone? I think the problem with cancellation of some very good shows (definitely including Cold Case., of course) is that they usually involve stories. You know, where you have to be able to maintain an attention spam longer than that of a gnat? If there’s a 25% percent dropout rate, college grad levels are decreasing, and “celebrity” indicates success, it’s gonna show up everywhere. One of the best things about Cold Case is its revelations about history from a personal perspective. And the music …fantastic! But, apparently, dumbed-downed draws more ad money,… Read more »
I too thought it was just delayed and had no idea until I looked here tonight. I agree it should have been moved to replace on of the worse performing shows and given a second chance to improve ratings. Too bad. CBS just lost another 18-49 demo viewer on Sun night. I certainly don’t watch any of the “reality” programming.
I just realized the show was canceled as well. I kept looking for it and thought it was a late start of something. I’m so bummed. For a show that’s been on that long, they could have let us know a little better that it was ending.
I like the others thought it was going to do a late return. I love the show! I see some of the other shows that are so bad and I can’t believe they didn’t even end this great series. Oh well I guess that is why cable’s ratings keep going up and the broadcast keeps going down!!
It really sucks that Cold Case has been cancelled. It was the best show on TV, even better than Criminal Minds. You take take off all this other garbage, like “Dancing With the Stars,” “American Idol,” etc., Donald Trumph, and throw them in the garbage. Anything good on TV is taken off, sooner or later.
Yes really good show
Miss it very much
My very. very favorite show, I can’t believe. Even having to wait for previous shows to end airing, to see it. Why not change the night. Boo-hoo!!!!
I think they should have mored it to a different night not take it off. This **** sucks
LETS BRING THIS GREAT SHOW BACK….COLD CASE….SIGN THIS PETITION
SO COLD CASE GET A 8TH SEASON.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/coldcase8th9thseason-50episodes
THANKS FOR SUPPORTING COLD CASE
Dodge Saienni
COLD CASE FOR 8TH OR 9TH
I totally agree with everyone above…please dont take away cold case
I was also looking for new episodes thinking it was coming back in the winter.. I am so pissed. They could have kept that piece of crap Hawaii 5 0 and placed cold case in its spot
I’m not surprised at all, most of the episodes have the same feel. the first interviewee lies, they have to go back and forth to get the truth, sad song at the end. Gets boring after 7 years…
I’ve been waiting for Cold Case to get it’s season started. I thought maybe it wasn’t going to start til the first of the year. Cold Case to me is # 1. I didn’t realize the ratings were low. I agree with others where they need to get Donald Trumiph, these dumb dating show, singing, sports, dancing, off. All TV stations are getting to programs for the younger ones not us older. Also some of us don’t have dish/cable,etc. Please try to get Cold Case back on the air. IT IS AND WAS THE BEST.
Call me late to the party, but i was in the mind set that the show was delayed due to new programming being introduced. I am in a state of shock. I am tired of hearing networks site ratings as the cause of good quality shows dying. I understand that advertising money is the key to sucess for a network. I suggest CBS take some of the revenue from the senseless shows that are making tons of money in advertisment on and invest in quality shows like Cold Case.
I CANNOT BELIEVE THEY WOULD CANCEL COLD CASE AND LEAVE ON DONALD TRUMP, OR CREATE ANOTHER REALITY SHOW, WHICH NO ONE NEEDS ANOTHER SPACE FILLED WITH CAN YOU DANCE, COOK, MODEL OR SING????