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 loved this series and even had my recorder set to record the ones I had to muss so I could see them later. This is good stuff! Why are you cancelling? I know it was on late, at 10 pm. Could you try it earlier?
Switch nights to give it another chance! One of the better dramas. Deserves chance to survive with better day and time. With all the ABC cancellations, they’ve got nothing but comedies and fake reality shows
This is why network tv is failing. Why not change night’s and see if it rebounds?
To give up on this story just doesn’t make sense
I have only watched Designated Survivor on ABC, since Anthony Geary exited GH stage left or is that stage right? Now, I no longer have any reason whatsoever to tune in to ABC. But then that’s their choice! And yes I do question ratings, not to mention that the show airs late in the evening in the middle of the week. ABC has never tried it on a 9 pm slot on Monday through Thursday!
This is the best show on TV! If it goes, I will too!
Absolutely gutted, Love this show… best show on tv
One of the very few shows inn ABC that does not insult viewer’s intelligence. Great cast and storylines. This season I’ve recorded all new shows – as soon as renewals or cancellations are announced, I either delete or binge-watch the show. I love my DVR.
Oh NOOOOO, I love this show.. By all means I would have watched season 3.. LOVE the whole cast on this show.. Such a shame on those that did not bother to watch
Greatly disappointed with your decision to cancel this show. I looked forward to it each week. Great cliffhangers! I guess it will be another night for Netflix…….
So sorry to see this show cancelled with a host of questions still to be answered…Loved this cast..and all the intrigue! What a loss!
A win for America. There’s only so much PC bull droppings the American people can take. When you write a show with the intention of alienating at least half the country…you get what you deserve! Too bad…could have been a great show.
First network show I’ve watched since Lost and 24. If we’re lucky we’ll see Kiefer as Jack Bauer again!
I don’t watch a lot of television…I have only six shows I really enjoy and I am dedicated to watching those each week…tiried of silly shows and virtual reality shows. This was one of the six shows that I watched each week and I am so disappointed that they are canceling. The networks are going to keep canceling good shows and lose all viewership if they keep this up.
Yes, I would have watched season three. This decision needs to be reevaluated. This is one of the best shows! Just get off “The President is Not Fit” because his wife died theme. Come on writers, you can do better.
To those who’d want to know, I’ve already started a petition against this decision. Here’s the link:
https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/bring-back-designated-survivor