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.
ABC should be ashamed of how they determine shows to be cancelled. Surely they can find room somewhere in their schedule for a great show that appeals to adults more than it does to the all so important younger crowd more interested in mindless, silly shows. Give us a break…..
UNBELIEVABLE!!
This is easily one of the best shows on TV and we won’t even get a wrap up the story.
I’m getting quite fed up of how the networks are handling their shows and may well start to wait until a season has been confirmed as renewed before starting to watch, which will ultimately make it harder for ratings to be managed.
DS was a great show with unexpected plot twists. Back to watching only sports programming.
We loved the show!! So sad it was cancelled! Please reconsider!! Bring it back !!!
I am so upset!!!! This show was amazing especially since I Used to be obsessed with the HBO series newsroom. This political show help take the place of that. I am so upset to see it go! Bring it back! The acting, writing, and cast were brilliant! One of the few shows on television I actually enjoyed.
I am very disappointed at the cancelation of Designated Survivor. But as we all know ratings are everything in the world of television, most of the time.
I thought it had potential, but when it killed his wife and brought in Kim Raver, it was too much of an homage to 24 and told me the show had jumped the shark. So it’s probably for the best.
Great show. I am tired of good shows being canceled. I think the industry is looking at the wrong demographics.
I am sad to see this show go. I love watching Kiefer every week but sometimes I wasn’t that intrigued by the plot but still sad to see it cancelled.
Cannot believe that they are going to cancel this show, never missed an episode. Great acting, writing. You do not even consider the older generation in watching TV, quit catering to the younger age group!!!!
This is a great show! You should raise your viewer age because the younger generation only wants silly shows! This is very good writing & acting. Renew this one!
So sad to see it go. I think you should raise the age viewing audience due to the younger generation only wanting silly shows.
Again you should rethink cancellation & continue the show.
I really like this show. I am so sorry to see it go. I look forward to it every week.
Awwwwww…Come on! Every time I find a decent drama worth my time to watch, some idiot pulls the plug! Maybe adjust the program schedule, but don’t blame the show! If I can’t be in front of the TV, I record it or watch it On Demand, but I never miss this show! Some one must know these figures. I’m not the only one! My friends & I discuss the episodes every week, we love it that much! DON’T DO THIS TERRRIBLE THING!!!
YES!!!!