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.
I just finished to watch the season 2 and start to research when will start season 3 and just find out about cancellation …very sad…Just wanted to say that If ratings are measure just for people who watch the TV at the real time the show is on, it is not accurate at all, I love the show but I watched in Hulu at my time, I am a mom so i don’t have time to be seat in front if the TV at real time ….. Very disappoint and frustrated……
same here, i live in china and can’t watch it in real time but in case they didnt know it’s very popular here in cina and we are sad to hear this
OMG… I love this show. I love the whole idea behind it. I’m so sad.
Wish this were not cancelled too…. so many good dramas gone .
Really enjoyed the show, I hope some other network picks it up.
Sure wish TV world would get it’s fill of sitcoms, reality (?) shows, and comedians using their act for furtherance of their political aspirations. Will it take all of the above to see the return of a well-written, well-casted program like Designated Survivor? Hope some network will take a close look at the show’s virtues and continue running the program!
This comment is more general in nature – its about the rating systems…in this day of DVR and streaming, networks need to find a new way to rate programming and viewer behaviour. If they don’t they will keep cancelling good programs that have a longer life then they are being given. People love series programming – one of those reasons is because we like to get to know the characters over time – when you cancel so many programs prematurely, you leave viewers dissatisfied….and frankly risk your viewership in the process….I hope you are able to come up with a… Read more »
I completely agree with you. In our house we never watch anything real time. Everything we watch is after the fact because of timing…. but we love to follow characters through series
This was one of my favorite programs…..always made sure I watched this – pvred so I wouldn’t miss it….When I look at what has renewed, I am shocked that such a good show is being cancelled. This is a time when audiences need to see this type of role model – Sutherland is such a great actor and I think the network owes its viewers at the very least, the opportunity to see the series end properly
Really want to see Season Three. It’s a much better show than most of the rubbish out there. Please reconsider continuing the series.
I thought it was a great show! Disappointed that it was cancelled. Was so looking forward to the next season!
Another great show cancelled by ABC nice going.
We are big time fans who are so sad to see this show disappear.
I loved the show. Was very sorry to see it go. I looked forward to seeing it. We DVR everything but once it was taped we watched it and did not get behind in the viewing.
I can’t believe you are taking this off the air. First Scandal and now this!!! ome on ABC!!!!!
Great show. Sorry to see it go :(.
Excellent writing, acting, and plot lines. Hope it is picked up by a better network.