CBS is having such a good year that they’re increasing their episode orders for some of their most popular shows, according to EW. The orders total 13.5 more hours of programming. In terms of total airtime, that’s the equivalent to ordering a whole new series.
This could mean a few less reruns for viewers… or that the network will be able to dump struggling shows even sooner.
CSI: Miami, How I Met Your Mother, NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, and Two and a Half Men have all been given orders for two additional episodes each.
The Big Bang Theory, Criminal Minds, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: NY, The Good Wife, and The Mentalist have each been given one more installment.
What about the rest? Are they in danger of being cancelled? Unless their ratings improve, many of them are.
Accidentally on Purpose — The sitcom just recently received an order for five more episodes. It’s not a full season order but a positive sign considering the show’s mixed ratings history. It could survive to see a second year but don’t expect any more than 18 installments for this season.
Cold Case — Last season, it was a toss-up between this show and Without a Trace. Cold Case won out but CBS execs may be regretting their choice. Last year, Cold Case averaged a 2.68 rating in the demo and 11.8 million viewers. This season, it’s lost much of its audience in the demo (1.94) and fallen to nine million viewers. Unless things turn around, this show will surely be cancelled. Show support page.
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Gary Unmarried — CBS renewed this series last Spring though the ratings didn’t mandate it. In season one, it averaged a 2.2 in the 18-49 demo. This season, Gary’s been averaging the same which isn’t great. It could be cancelled or it could survive if CBS stick with the Wednesday night sitcom block.
Ghost Whisperer — The Friday night drama is way down in the ratings this season. Last season, it averaged a 2.53 in the demo and 10.5 million in total viewers. This year, it’s dropped to a 2.06 rating and 8.36 million. It’s on shaky ground for sure and could be cancelled after this season unless it’s saved to add more episodes to its syndication package. Show support page.
Medium — The Patricia Arquette show was saved last season when NBC cancelled it. The deal happened because the show is co-produced in-house by CBS Television Studios and was making money in syndication. Its Friday night numbers are about the same as Ghost Whisperer’s and isn’t safe from the chopping block either. Show support page.
The New Adventures of Old Christine — CBS renewed this sitcom last Spring but the ratings weren’t great; 2.1 in the 18-49 demo. This season, it’s been averaging a 2.0. It could be cancelled but is co-produced by CBS and is more likely to survive so that there will be enough episodes for syndication.
Numb3rs — This is another Friday night show that’s been struggling this season. CBS has just cut its episode order for the season and it looks like a shoe-in for cancellation. Show support page.
Three Rivers — This Sunday night drama has been struggling in the ratings from the start. It isn’t expected to survive past 13 episodes. Show support page.
What do you think? Are any of the endangered shows worth saving?
Note: Some of the 2008-09 demo ratings listed were initially incorrect and have since been updated.
Image courtesy CBS.
Get with the 21st century people……it’s called a TIVO. I have watched these shows for years and I TIVO them. Some people work for a living CBS. I’m sure that DVR companies can give you the information about what people are watching these days!!!!
It seems the good shows get cancelled and bad ones go on forever. In my circle of friends they agree with me. Seems to me the ratings are not using the average demograpic. Why do most people I know wonder why the shows they watched faithfully are gone but so called reality show seem to go on forever. Reality shows are far from reality in my opinion
I am so angry that CBS has cancelled Ghost Whisperer I could spit nails. I was so looking forward to seeing how the plots were going to progress, especially with the abilities that Melinda’s son was suppose to possess. It just figures that CBS would leave it’s viewers hanging instead of at least giving one more season to “wrap things up” so to speak. I just think it stinks!
Please do not cancel Cold Case, Criminal Minds, or NCIS. Bring back Without a Trace. .
You people take off the good shows and leave the junk on.I am watching less and less tv because of it.CBS is the worst of all to do this.
Why cancel good shows like the new adventures of old christine and gary unmarried .. that is such a mistake. both shows were great and should be picked up by another network.. not happy CBS!! : (
since cbs has decided to write out the role of the two woman, I will be looking for another show to watch on Wednesday nights.
I was really starting to like Gary Unmarried. Why would they cancel it so soon? And I love New Adventures of Old Christine and Accidently on Purpose. Finally three sitcoms to watch on CBS and they might go away!
I am so glad that Three Rivers, Flashpoint and Miami Medical are back on the air. They are three of the best shows. I hope you will reconsider and put them back on the air. I don’t have too many favorite shows but those and Criminal Minds are the best. Please give them another chance. thanks!
I cannot believe they are cancelling Ghost Whisperer I love that show… I am not happy at all 🙁
wow we really like new adventures of old Christine>>>just truned 50 and yes we watch TV….like gary unmarried…and he is gone??????Thousands of us out here that love these shows ….we hate accidently on purpose…….get rid of that show..
They better not cancel Cold Case or Numbers those 2 shows are great the other i agree suck and can go but CBS is sure making a lot of mistakes lately ditching good shows like Three Rivers i liked it. As for NBC they have nothing to offer anymore but Law & Order they canceled way to many great shows like Life, Crusoe and a few others. ABC losing The Forgotten will royally blow i liked that shows idea scope
I hope CBS takes into account people that use DVR’s. Is this part of the ratings or not? I would be very upset if CSI New York the best in the CSI franchise is cancelled. Vegas is had the most ridiculous plots last year and this year and Miami I can see maybe on the verge but not yet. I also do not think Numbers or NCIS should even be thought of cancellation. Criminal Minds, NCIS and shows such as Shark, Unit and without a Trace that were already cancelled will be and were the biggest mistakes CBS has made.… Read more »
I really wish these networks would understand folks are really busy, and start adding our figures in for those shows that are DVR’d, they numbers should be included…some of us work various shifts so the DVR is the only way we get to watch these shows. Because they are lacking the technology to reach out and capture those figures needs to be addressed…too many good shows are being cancelled while they keep junk shows (reality) on…I have yet to DVR one of those…get up to date with new technology CBS, save the shows people are really watching, but at their… Read more »
Other than my favorites on cable, I only watch NCIS and Numbers on the big 3 networks. I read that the new old Christine was surviving but Numbers may not. Hmmm….go figure.