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 have just finished watching all seasons of reruns, and even after these years, this is still my favorite show. i sure miss this show and the actors.
I was soooo sad to see this show taken off when they leave the crappy reality show on in its place. I thing CBS show bring this show back. With new episodes!!!!! Lets get entertainment like this show was back on instead of only reality shows leaving viewers nothing to watch. I personally have almost stopped watching tv bacause that is all that is on. I would like it back on with the same actors because for sure they made the show an enforgettable show stopper for those who like to watch tv. It was by far one of the… Read more »
This was one of my favorite shows, i think the show could have survived, it needed something added i thought adding rushs charactures father and half brother added a lot to bring back the show just as family members were added to other charactures i’n the show, every one knows even i’n real life, they could have a new show every night for 100s of years solving different cold cases, but just as models of cars change to keep up with the different times, so do tv shows, i’n ordr to survive, it’s a shame that there’s so much realty… Read more »
Its ashame that shows like “Cold Case” get canceled in favor of these boring Reality programs,along with mindless shows that require no intellect! Cold Case was just beginning to become interesting with the development of Det.Lily Rush’s character,played by actress,Kathryn Morris,the writers actually gave her a life away from solving cold cases.
I don’t watch a lot of television – but in my opinion, this was a great show – very well done. Would like to see it return – same actors, etc.
Well, it had plenty of viewers, but it had bad demo ratings. In otherwords it wasn’t being watched by people 18 to 34 yrs old. People need to make the networks understand that you are not dead after 35. Maybe take the time to write a letter to the network so they know they will go out of business it they court the youth market only.
i was watching it and i was over 18 so your wrong
I loved this show, the music and being from Philadelphia, it was fun guessing. where they were for real.
I rarely watch TV nowadays as it is full of reality rubbish! TV used to be about temporary escape from RL! Cold Case is out there with CSI and Criminal Minds, and for the life of me I cannot understand how you could end such a fabulous series. Pity TV channels don’t have options to sign petitions when Shows are up for review.
reality show is not rubbish, you probably havent even watched any of the reality shows, there are many good ones
I’m so happy there are TORRENTS because sadly they refuse to even sell this on DVD so my only way to get the show is by torrent! This is pretty sad seeing that this was my favorite show. I’ve probably only seen a couple of the 7 seasons, so I’ve got my viewing cut out for me! =D
THANK YOU TORRENTS! =D
As always, keep the stupid reality shows and cancel the good shows. I truly enjoyed the shows and the actors. I still watch the older shows
There are sooo many dumb shows on today! Reality Housewives, Kardashians, Tori, Duck baboons, are an insult! I don’t watch any of them, but Cold Case is classy, and imagine..there is a real plot! Mr. Bruckheimer is thinking when he writes/produces.
IT’S HARD TOBELIEVE THAT A FEW YEARS AGO – NEVER WATCHED COLD CASE
NOW IT IS A STAPLE IN THE HOUSE. WE WATCH IT ALL THE TIME & IF WE ARE NOT HOME WE TAPE EVERY EPISODE. MS. STIEM & MR. BRUICKHEIMER SHOULD TO GET TOGEATHER AGAIN & RENEW THE PARTNERSHIP. TODAY MANY MORE PEOPLE ARE WATCHING THE PROGRAM & IT’S POSSIBLE THEY MAY BE ABLE TO GET SPONSORS TODAY.
REALLY WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME NEW EPISODES.
Really loved this show. I still watch them on ION.. I would love to see this show come back!!
This was truly an original concept. I know you have to go by ratings but perhaps someone could collaborate with the CSI creators to add enough graphically shocking pieces that wouldn’t detract from the often poignant moments so equisitely captured in these stories. People seem to like to be shocked to hold their attention these days. It is a shame. Just loved the series and the cast was just right.
I watched Cold Case since it first started and fell in love with the show. I was so upset when the station cancelled it. Now, I watch the reruns on ION TV. It failed in the rating because the Station moved it to a different time slot. It went from 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm that is where the Station messed up!! Would love to have Cold Case back on the air with new episodes!!! Get rid of the reality tv stuff and Without a Trace doesn’t stack up against Cold Case! But, you would have to have the same… Read more »
i dont get how come shows gets canceled because its moved to another day