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 REALLY miss this show and want to see it brought back with new episodes. I’ve watched most all of the ‘old’ espisodes at least 4 times each. Anything in the works???
really did like this show i like them all ncis crimalminds they have to much realilty shows and others i dont need to say yelp i sure will miss it guess i watch the reruns for a while
I love Amazing Race but I loved Cold Case and am very disappointed to see that CBS decided to cancel this wonderful show.
loved the show in earlier years. cried in some episodes cause they were so grip0ping. The one thing that bothered me is the cast never seemed happy in their personal lives. and Rush could have always used some kind of makeover, especially with that hair!! loved it anyways
It awful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! STOP making so many of those stupid (and my wording is being nice so they will print it) reality pieces of crap and taking over all the air time with those and sports…TV is really starting to S___!!!!!
I agree with Monty, I also recorded the show and had the same issue with amazing race running over its time leaving me to miss the last part of the show. I hope they bring Cold Case back, its really a great show!
Please bring Cold Case back. My husband and I really miss it! Why did it not go to a new night instead of being cancelled?
I too am sorry to see that the show was canceled. As far as the ratings, the network started airing it later and sometimes after the news. I emailed the network to find out if they were going to air the show because it didn’t come on at all. They didn’t reply until after I sent another email two days later and they replied it would be shown the following week in sequence. Also, it was during football season and I think that had something to do with it. Too bad it’s a really good show.
OMG I’m so upset that the show was canceled. I loved that show. I guess I have to settle with watching the re-runs but that SUCKS… I love Lily Rush..:-(
I really miss this show. Even more, I abhor that it was not advised of ahead of time. We all feel like some of these shows are “family” and the fact that they are replaced with more and more “reality tv shows” drives me crazy. I don’t want to watch that. If I want reality, all I have to do is look around. Cold case is a go-to show to get out of my own head but still has an interesting story line. In addition, there was a story line already going when the show was cancelled with no “closure”.… Read more »
It reminds me of how viewers were upset when a disco number in Love at First Bite had to be replaced on the DVD by another song. I looked forward to watching each episode of Cold Case but particularly looked forward to the end when the spirit of the departed could now complete their jpassage after their murder was solved. Sure, the music was fantastic, but I would rather have the series on DVD with different music than no Cold Case on DVD, especially since it apparently isn’t being shown on syndicated channels. I suppose I, like many others, wished… Read more »
I blame Amazing race and all these other “reality” sshows that cant seem to stay in there time slot. I work all the time so have to record my shows and is agravating every time when you go to watch your show and get half of it oushed off cause the other “shows” have ran over yet again cause they just cant edit it right. The you dont want ot watch them cause you wont get to see the end. So many shows have died being put after a reality show cause of this. You think they get a clue… Read more »
why o why did yall take cold case it was the best show on the air better then that crapy without a trace ugh so now since i dont have cable i gotta stay up on the weekend to watch it and it doesnt come on till 11:30 to 12:30 a.m take those stupied reality shows there crap i dont wanna see that thats why i rent movies bc there is nuttin on tv so why cant yall bring it the story lines touch me sooooo much sumtimes and ive watched every episode are at least put it on dvd!!!!!!!… Read more »
I was VERY SAD to see this show go I keep on looking for it I was getting upset because I thought I had missed it I hope that they will consider bringing this show back I believe that all the good shows are coming to an end and all of THOSE STUPID reality shows are taking over so Im hoping that they will reconsider bringing back this show
What’s going on? why on earth did they have to cancel it. And also not releasing it on Dvd. WELL I GUESS IT’S ALL ABOUT THOSE GREEDY MONEY GRABBING SOB’S AT THE TOP!!. It was a great series, something of interest, good story lines etc. But I guess all good things come to an end, shame.