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.
please reinstate the series. I’m actually think it is wonderful the characters in the roles they play are fantastic. So realistic in my thoughts.
I watch it every week.
I like a lot of people to not watch it live so that might interfere on some of your ratings. But please bring it back because I have not missed one episode.
This was one of the few tv shows I was interested in watching. That alone usually puts the kiss of death on it. I a. So disappointed this show has been cancelled.
I thoroughly enjoy this show. It tells a story as compared to the totally useless ‘reality’ shows which are mindless. Very sorry to see it go. Wish another network woud pick it up! PLEASE!!!
UNBELIEVABLE…..best show of the past two seasons. How about reconsidering? It’s not like you’re adding something wonderful after all!!! If NOTHING ELSE, do it so we have some glimmer of hope that Washington and the President are not what we currently see!
I love this series but must watch hulu to watch it. Please Reconsider and renew the series.
Thank you
I was looking forward to Designated Survivor Season 3. I felt it was one of the best shows on TV, great acting, great timely plot, etc.
I cant understand how some of the shows like Survivor, Bog Brother, Amazing Race, manage to reappear year after year but a show as good and with a touch of real reality of what is going on in our country as a whole is getting cancelled. maybe people would just like to believe that everything is just jolly in Washington. To me it was a very real scenario of what is going on in todays world and the idea of clarity and honesty with this countries people was just to much to bear for some. I think that this is… Read more »
I AGREE 100%
I couldn’t have said it better! I miss it !
exactly! seriously disgusted by this decision though i understand the ratings
So sad to see this wonderful show canceled. It was one of the best shows on TV! It was one of the few clean shows on the air but still touched on real-life issues.
Loved this show. There is very little on tv worth watching. Last year I only watched 5 shows and they were abc, cbs, and possibly nbc. Just nothing worth watching!
i imagine netflix users are asking for a season 3
Am extremely disappointed…one day f the best dramas on television. Tired of all the stupid shows n TV anymore, aside from the best g bang theory there isn’t a comedy I enjoy. Yup, I’m in the 50+ group and alas this segments of the populations n, albeit closed t the largest, is not sought after except for ads for medicine, which really pisses me off. Hope you reconsider your demographics and renew a superior show…it’s the only political show worth watching…the real politics are down right scary.
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Love emigrated Survivor. 6 out of 8 of my family members love it. I think it was a huge mistake to cancel. I know many people in Toronto loved to watch for familiar areas of the city. A few of us would see who could recognize a landmark first. We all loved the concept of the show and appreciated Kiefer’s talent. Bring the show back or give it an appropriate finale.
I loved watching the show it was good internment and did hit on problems of the world in a fictional way
I definitely watched and would love to continue watching Designated Survivor’s Season 3! Please renew this TV show as it was/is one of the best shows currently on. One of the several reasons why this is a fantastic series is; it gives the American people a good example of an excellent President! Great writing, exceptional acting, and thought provoking episodes. Please keep this show on!
I loved this show and really enjoyed not only the acting but the ideas presented which are a mirror of what is going on today. You seem to cancel shows which are informative in a creative manner and deal with new ways to look at things and put on dancing, game shows and various others that are just plain boring and do not give the audiences food for thought.
I hate to loose this show