ABC’s medical TV show, Combat Hospital, has been cancelled after one season on the air. Though the show had plenty of fans, the demise certainly doesn’t come as a surprise.
Combat Hospital (previously known as The Hot Zone) follows the lives and work of a group of doctors and nurses from various countries at a military hospital in Southern Afghanistan. The diverse cast includes Deborah Kara Unger, Michelle Borth, Elias Koteas, Terry Chen, Arnold Pinnock, and Luke Mably.
The TV show debuted in June 2011 to a disappointing 1.2 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 5.32 million total viewers. The second episode of Combat Hospital dropped 8% in the demo and the following week’s installment fell another 9%. Week four then dropped 20% — to a 0.8 demo rating.
The first season ended up averaging a 0.9 rating in the demo with just 3.82 million viewers. ABC had purchased 13 episodes of season one from Canada’s Shaw Media but opted to only air 12 of them. The series performed well on Canada’s Global network but was a disappointment in the US. It was no shock when ABC decided that they didn’t want to order a second season.
Once word came down that ABC wasn’t interested in the show any longer, Shaw (who also produces Rookie Blue) tried to find another partner here in the states to help offset some of the production costs. Those efforts were unsuccessful and the show was officially cancelled.
On the positive side, there’s word that Combat Hospital will be released on DVD so fans here in the United States will be able to see and own all 13 episodes.
What do you think? Are you sorry that there won’t be a season two for Combat Hospital?
Image courtesy ABC.
Love this show!!! But of course like MASH & China Beach…it’s being cancelled!! Combat Hospital is way better than either of those 2 shows….Age group you should have looked at is 40-65 yrs old?Not 18-39? You had the wrong demographics….I can’t believe this only got the chance of 1 season to try and make it…such a drag!! You made a BIG mistake!!!
Sorry it is no longer on. Good show, serious and interesting. Not like MASH, and that lasted 14 seasons, longer than the actual Korean War.
I wish this had stayed on it is a great series I can’t even watch it on the internet they just started itnup on Global wish you would. Started season two
Am from Nigeria I watch d film on DVD I don’t know if d season one is completed but I do love dis film I focus on d film NCOs I love pls bring it to a Nigerian TV am sure dey will go for f season two I appreciate ur work bcos u make us to understand that war exist and in military every department fight a war be it office or on the field for everyone who combat hospital by chance will ask for season 10 because u don’t what have started… Thanks
I am disappointed. It was a good show.
Very interacting show, just wish there were more episodes. Watching the reruns and find them educational regarding what it was like over there( I know it’s t.v.), Anyone who saw China Beach would appreciate this show . Great actors and action, I see many of them went on to other shows,
Sorry it was cancelled. Good writing & acting. Likes the diversity. Should make more!
On the global app they have season 1 only 12 shows. And i agree its an amazing show. This is right we used to get a full year of a show not 12 weeks which sucks. As for those who are talking bout cutting cable and so on i already have as you get an amazing show ( combat hoapital) and ots on for 1/2 of a season if that but its called 1 season which is crap. Then they dont make the rest of it. Whwn we ha e reality crap shows that have been on for how many… Read more »
I agree — I watched this show while I was recovering from surgery- got hooked right off the bat. The medical aspect was interesting and the characters were just beginning to develop. As a fan of China Beach I found it interesting as well to see how things have changed as far as health care for our troops wounded in battle– fictional or not
I’m with the other two comments, this show was addictive enough that I watched all the episodes available in 24 hours. It’s hard to believe and disappointing that there isn’t going to be a season 2
This is a really good show I can’t believe you guys ended like that . There needs to be a season 2
Who are these phantom viewers they supposedly polled? It’s an incredible show that makes you think. They must have asked people who prefer to watch shows like HoneyBooBoo!
I watched this series alldayand just loved it. We do not have enough good Canadian productions. This was one of the good ones. I don’t know how I missed it the first time around. Would love to see this show revived.
Carol White
Calgary, Ab
Yes. I’m sure it could get revived if they fix the show make it a little more realistic it’s kind a cheesy I have been to Kandahar a little over six tours when I was there it was nothing like this show. I have experience if they call me I could share my experience with them but I have no way of contacting the show I don’t know how. For example like the translator he does not know The language he has a big accent he only knows a few words not good enough to translate Pashto language Nor at… Read more »