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.
Thought it was a good show. We watched every episode. Well thought out scenarios and solutions. Disappointed that it was canceled. One of the few shows worth watching. Of the ones I watch it was one of the better ones. Not much of anything left to watch.
Love this show. I don’t watch much on ABC, most of their shows don’t appeal to me. Very disappointed.
Comment from Europe… Please don’t kill the show! Everybody I know here, not only in Vienna, but also all Austria and many friends all over Europe, really loves it! This is highest possible quality, so please reconsider and continue 🙂
Every time I find any good show, it gets canceled! I loved this show and the whole concept of it!! I’m very sad that ABC couldn’t try another night or more advertising! I think more people would watch it.
Why do I even have a TV? Everything that is good, is canceled! NOW, I WILL boycott ABC, because Designated Survivor was the ONLY reason I didn’t want to joint the boycott. NOW I have an even better reason to boycott a failing TV channel. BYE BYE!
Extremely disappointed in this news.
I cannot believe my eyes this is such a great show and sometimes I watch it on the ABC follow-up Channel instead of the night it’s on but this is a show that I watch every week faithfully and Kiefer Sutherland is Magic no matter what he plays in please don’t cancel this
I waited all week for Wednesday night. You’ve got to be kidding. It has to go on, the writers and acting. Story line all great. Yes I’ll miss it. Horrible news!
I’m extremely disappointed in this cancellation. It was an example of how a President should act. We really need role models like this. Any chance another network might pick it up?
How could they cancel one of the best TV shows ever.
This is one of the best shows. I can’t believe they have cancelled it. Hoping another network will pick it up.
I abslosutly loved the show ,as well as my husband . We were devastated to see it go…maybe timing was the issue. I hope abc revisits as I know we are not alome
This was or hopefully is a great show.
Love this show! Probably being cancelled because this politician has ETHICS!
Love this series. ABC kept ******** with the schedule, which I am sure threw viewers off but- it was a great show!! Hopefully a smart network will pick it up