Designated Survivor has not survived, sadly. Today, it was revealed that ABC has cancelled the TV show after two seasons. *Update below.
The political drama centers on Tom Kirkman (Kiefer Sutherland), a low-level cabinet member who becomes President of the United States after a massive attacked on the capitol. The cast also includes Natascha McElhone, Adan Canto, LaMonica Garrett, Kal Penn, Maggie Q, Malik Yoba, Paulo Costanzo, Zoe McLellan, Ben Lawson, Tanner Buchanan, and Mckenna Grace.
Designated Survivor: A Look at the Ratings
Designated Survivor debuted strong in 2016, but the ratings have waned in its sophomore year. So far, season two is averaged a 0.71 rating in the 18-49 demo and 3.95 million viewers, making it one of ABC‘s lower-rated TV shows for the 2017-2018 season in the demo.
The show could easily have been cancelled but the network renewed it, likely hoping that the ratings would rise in year two. They went in the opposite direction. In the demo, the ratings dropped 43% year-to-year and 32% in viewers.
The May 16th episode will now serve as the defacto series finale.
What do you think? Are you a fan of Designated Survivor? Are you sad to see the series go? Would you have watched season three?
9/5/18 update: Designated Survivor was cancelled by ABC but Netflix later ordered season three.
This is one of the best shows with an excellent cast and relevant topics. Very surprised to find out that it’s been cancelled. Hoping someone else renews and sees its quality.
Please, please, please do not cancel Designated Survivor. It’s one of the best shows on. Please reconsider.
Please do not cancel this show. We watch it faithfully each week.
I cannot believe you are canceling the BEST show on television! It is a show that I can’t wait for it to come on the next week! As many terrible shows you have on prime time, and you want to cancel a clean family show! Please reconsider keeping Designated Survivor on!!!!
The one show that I look forward to watch every week. Now they cancel it why not have a season ending show that way people know it will not be returning. So sad
We are extremely disappointed that a show of this caliber has been cancelled. We don’t understand why all of the reality show trash on TV; however, continues to air. So sad and disgusting.
Please renew Designated Survivir-great show, great actors. Not all the reality junk stuff !!!
Great show
What a great show. So sorry it’s being cancelled. Really wish you’d reconsider. Maybe earlier time slot. Thanks.
Please renew Designated Survivor. Such a wonderful cast, relevant subject matter and not a fake “reality TV show” that is horribly scripted and acted out.
Agree idealized but interesting
why i looked forward to Wednesday night 10.00 pm big mistake again by a big TV co never what people want just what they want
bring it back……….
Please renew Designated Survivor. I think it is a greatshow and I look forward to seeing it each week
Please consider renewing. Designated Survivor is one o the best shows on TV. Big mistake to cancel this series. PLEASE bring it back.
I can’t believe you have cancelled, I look forward to like Blue Bloods.
Designated Survivor is one of the best shows on TV. We are retired and 10 is late for us, but we record it weekly. PLEASE bring it back for Season 3. Maybe at earlier time. Thank you.