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.
Why would the best scripted show on television be canceled. Have some stones CBS,and keep great television on the air.
Please keep this great show going. Ratings would be much higher if it was not interrupted from prior programing running over it’s allowed time frame.
I love this show and would absolutely want it to continue….please continue the show
At least, a final season should bring closure to the story line. CBS, please do not leave us fans hanging. Great show…I even DVR the show with extra time to ensure the whole show is available due to sports.
Madam Secretary is one of the few shows that can give you a well thought out, principled, accounting of what does and can happen within our borders and the world’s. I enjoy the show every week and the actors are spot on! This show gives me food for thought and brings me back for second helpings week after week.
I love this show and want it to continue. But let’s change the title to Madame President!
More seasons should be made and aired. We love it!
One of the best shows on TV, seen every episode. This is a definite keeper. May have to spin off to Madam President next season.
Should force the President and Congress members to watch the show while locked to a chair, maybe they will learn something…
I agree 100% that the President and legislative bodies of our government would learn a great deal from this well thought out programming.
Love the show. Please don’t cancel it.
Please cancel. I like to watch for enjoyment not politics. This doesn’t even have a story line. She’s like superhero on steroids. Ugh!
LOVE this show…great mixture of oval office, office politics and home life for Elizabeth. Please renew for season 6!!
Wonderful acting, great subject matter and pretty realistic scripts— please continue the series
Best show on television! Please keep it going. In this political climate, honesty, integrity, and doing the right thing in spite of the politics is a rare and valuable lesson.
Madam Secretary ricks! Keep this show!!
Please keep Madam Secretary on the air for a sixth season. It is by far the best written drama on television today. We have watched every episode numerous times; and usually see things we missed from watching it the first time. The cast is amazing! We know they are actors, but they draw you in and you believe they really could be the people they are portraying. Again, please continue Madam Secretary at least through a sixth season.
This is an excellent show. Please continue Madam Secretary with a sixth and more seasons. Excellent acting, excellent content Please continue!