Last year, ABC had some success with Rookie Blue, a cop drama that’s produced north of the border, in Canada. It’s already been renewed for a third season. This summer, the network began airing another Canadian show, Combat Hospital. Will it find the same success as Rookie Blue or be cancelled after one season like their last medical series, Off the Map?
Combat Hospital (formerly known as The Hot Zone) revolves around the life and work of a group of doctors and nurses from various countries at a military hospital in Southern Afghanistan. The cast includes Deborah Kara Unger, Michelle Borth, Elias Koteas, Terry Chen, Arnold Pinnock, and Luke Mably.
The TV series debuted on June 21st to a less-than-impressive 1.2 rating in the coveted 18-49 demographic and 5.32 million viewers. It was in second place in the timeslot, being handily beaten by The Voice on NBC. The second episode of Combat Hospital dropped 8% in the demo and the following week fell another 9%. Week four then dropped 20% to a 0.8 demo rating.
The ratings have gone up and down a bit since then but the show is only averaging a 0.9 in the demographic and 4.0 million total viewers. While viewership is typically lower in the summer months, this performance is not good at all. ABC has several new shows running and Combat Hospital is currently tied with Friday’s Karaoke Battle USA for last place.
Based on the ratings, there’s simply no reason for ABC to want to renew Combat Hospital for a second season. The 13th and final episode of the season (and likely the series) is set to air on September 13th.
But, what do you think? Do you like Combat Hospital? Should it be cancelled or renewed? Is it worth watching? Cancel or keep it?
Image courtesy ABC.
The program is great, it has given my family a broader look at what goes on over there, We can hardly wait for the hour to come around so that we can enjoy the show, what a crock that ABC has decided to drop show because of the no. the boxes show. Dancing and other dumb programs thayt only offer stupidity and small unlearned minds can comprehend. If it goes off, well thank you for inspiring me. And if i have to wait for dvds i will wait.
Please renew Combat Hospital! It is quality drama and one which all Americans need to watch to see the bravery of not only our fighting men and women in Afghanistan, but the heroics of the medical teams serving them. Also, what kine of chance did ABC give it by airing it in the summer? And to replace it with yet another hum-drum reality show is just unthinkable. Does ABC want to also appeal to an intelligent thinking audience or just to mindless ones who watch yet another reality show? Also I was impressed with our Canadian friends and allies…we need… Read more »
All summer my husband and I watched/ clung is more like it to see Combat Hosptital. Due to work schedules we had to DVR it but it was our #1. Being in the military brought back familiar times from my husbands past tour in Kuwait and now being on tour to Dubai, he will be extremely dissapointed if ABC discards this fantastic drama series. The comradery amonst the ranks, the chain of command, the show deserves more than a summer fling, mid week at 10pm. common what are you thinking at ABC? This show rules. I NEVER expected this show… Read more »
Combat Hospital is FANTASTIC. Before my husbands deployment to Dubai we both never missed a second of this action packed, realistic military drama. We love the characters, Simon being absolute favorite, the comradery amongst the ranks, and the how using the chain of command benefits. Delegation, respect I could go on and on. But please give it another chance. There was not enough advertising for this show and the time slot during the work week, in the summer was just too unfair to make any final judgement on. The entire cast is strong and certainly play well together..So Please Please… Read more »
Keep it !!! I love it
Having trouble posting. this is my third post but I don’t care. My husband & I love this show. Please give it a chance, during a better season and top slot with better advertising. Not everyone knows about it. My husband is deployed to Dubai and most of his troops haven’t heard of Combat Hospital. We love seeing the commradery, chain of command, respect amongst the troops. My fave is Simon & Rebecca. LOVE HIM AND HIS CHARISMATIC WAY. Please give this show another chance, ABC You are making a big mistake if you don’t bring this back. WHAT ELSE… Read more »
I like Combat Hospital a lot and hope they decide to continue it.
Off the Map was okay but they tried to put too much into each episode which left you wondering how they were going to top the last episode.
I like this show because it brings realism to a program, plus my son is in the military. It is a good replacement for ER (which I still miss). Bring it back because what I’m see what ABC has to offer now this show beats all of their new ones in the fall season.
This is the best new show of the summer…wonderful character development, very timely. No doubt expensive compared to the reality crap out there, but it brought back memories of China Beach. Please bring it back ABC!
I really like the show and would like for it to be renewed. Much better then some of the trash on T.V.
Beats the heck out of The Voice!!!
Please renew it for another season – it was a show my boyfriend and I can watch and enjoy together.
We don’t need another reality show…Combat Hospital is great!
I pray that you give Combat Hospital a second chance. We think it is a great show, and has a potential of being a big hit. Please give it a chance, and advertise, or move the show to a good night, whatever it takes to save it. Some are too quick to yank it, if it does so so. It is a good show, and gives us a better understanding of what are soldiers are going through over there to some degree. I think they would like watching it too. It gives me a reminder of Mash, but on a… Read more »
We are so disappointed that both Combat Hospital and Off the Map are not returning. I was a nurse during Viet Nam and Combat Hospital brings back many memories. Please bring it back.
I love it….It is one of a few programs I watched with my wife on family time…
I’d like to see it renewed. The aren’t many shows that we both enjoy together, but my husband and I watched Combat Hospital every week and thoroughly enjoyed the show. Please bring it back!!!!!
Keep it I really like this show and so does my mom. We also liked Off The Map