Will this be the final season for the Madam Secretary TV show on CBS? In terms of its demo numbers, it ranked 23rd out of the 26 scripted CBS TV series we tracked during the regular 2017-18 season, but rose to 16th place when we sorted by average total audience size. Now that it is back for a fifth season, will the network decide it has a sufficient syndication package and end the show here, or will it continue? Should Madam Secretary be cancelled or renewed for season six? Stay tuned. *Status update below.
A CBS political drama Madam Secretary stars Téa Leoni, Tim Daly, Sara Ramirez, Željko Ivanek, Keith Carradine, Sebastian Arcelus, Patina Miller, Geoffrey Arend, Erich Bergen, Kathrine Herzer, Wallis Currie-Wood, and Evan Roe. The drama follows the shrewd, determined Elizabeth McCord (Leoni). As U.S. Secretary of State, she battles office politics, while driving diplomacy and negotiating global deals.
Elizabeth was once a CIA analyst, who exited that post for ethical reasons. She later returned to public life, at the request of President Conrad Dalton (Carradine). He values her apolitical leanings, knowledge of the Middle East, flair for languages, and unconventional thinking. Elizabeth is married to Henry (Daly), a former theology professor who is now an intelligence operative. Together, they’re bringing up three children, which can really test her diplomatic skills.
The ratings are typically the best sign of a show’s likelihood of staying on the air. The higher the ratings (particularly in the 18-49 demo), the better the chances for survival. This chart will be updated as new ratings data becomes available — usually the next day, around 11:30am EST/8:30am PST. Refresh to see the latest.
4/22 update: You can see the latest night’s ratings in context.
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For comparisons: The fourth season of Madam Secretary averaged a 0.63 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 6.163 million total viewers.
Note: These are the Live + Same Day Ratings which include “live” viewing plus delayed DVR viewing, up until 3am local time that same night. Ratings marked with an “*” are the fast affiliate ratings and will be updated with the Live+SD numbers when they are made available. Typically, networks get paid for C+3 ratings which includes DVR viewing within three days of the original airing when commercials are watched. Those numbers are rarely released to the press.
What do you think? Do you still like the Madam Secretary TV series? Should it be cancelled or renewed for a sixth season on CBS?
*5/9/19 update: CBS has renewed Madam Secretary for a sixth season.
I love Madam Secretary and am so so sorry it is nearing the end of its TV shows! Why is it that my very favorite shows always end up being cancelled?
Yaaaaay, So glad Madam Secretary is being renewed can’t wait for the sixth season!
The show has become more lackluster over the years almost boring this season. A decidedly left turn which leaves it overly predictable. I used to like it but not so much this past season. The story line is done.
One of the most impressive shows on TV! Incredible writing, extremely talented cast who complement each other almost perfectly. The demonstration of ethics and call to uphold a high standard for taking personal responsibility is motivational and engaging, and the drama is outstanding. It is a true delight to watch something other than crime/rescue shows or another reality TV show. Keep it up Madame Secretary!