Despite pretty low ratings in the prized 18-49 demographic, CBS has kept Madam Secretary on the air. How will it do in season three? Will the numbers go up or down? Will the series be cancelled or is it essentially guaranteed to be renewed to make sure it has enough episodes for syndication? Stay tuned.
On Madam Secretary, Elizabeth McCord (Tèa Leoni) is the shrewd and determined Secretary of State who drives international diplomacy. She battles office politics and circumvents protocol as she negotiates global and domestic issues, both at the White House and at home. The cast also includes Tim Daly, Željko Ivanek, Bebe Neuwirth, Patina Miller, Geoffrey Arend, Erich Bergen, Wallis Currie-Wood, Kathrine Herzer, and Evan Roe.
The ratings are typically the best sign of a show’s likelihood of staying on the air. The higher the ratings (particularly 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.
3/23 update: Madam Secretary has been renewed for season four on CBS. Details here.
5/22 update: You can see the rest of the latest night’s ratings.
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For comparisons: The second season of Madam Secretary averaged a 1.20 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 10.10 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? Do you think it should be cancelled or renewed for season four on CBS?
I really enjoy “Madam Secretary.” It is one of the few dramas that is well written, well acted and worth watching. Please keep this program! There’s enough drivel and boring nonsense on network programming.
This is one of the best written, best acted, most relevant television dramas CBS has ever had. It is on the same par as The West Wing (the holy grail of political shows). Madam Secretary is entertainment for thinking people. I’ve just spent 30 minutes on a Saturday night Googling to see why no new episodes are showing up on my DVR. It’s that good. And I must admit, I’m shocked to discover there’s a question about it being canceled. Obviously, CBS needs to reevaluate what it considers entertainment. Sometimes, ratings can be misleading, especially with the insult of DVRs… Read more »
I love Madam Secretary, it is the highlight of my week. Just because we have an idiot for President, doesn’t mean something good which could be real should be canceled.
This is undoubtedly one of the very best shows CBS has EVER put on television, for all the reasons other writers have stated-I would lose respect for the network if they cancelled it.
Madam Secretary should be renewed. The ratings are pretty good considering it was a hard show to find during football season and
even harder to DVR. The show is well written and has an excellent cast who all have charisma and work well with each other.
The only reason why it has not been canceled is that it was a bit of propaganda to support Hillary Clinton’s run for president. Of course the problem is, the character on the show has had more success.
I’m reasonably sure they will now let it die.
Please pay h ed to all these impasssioned responses. This is one of the best shows airing today.
The concept, the writing, the super cast. It’d just be a crime to lose this quality show!
Renew Madam Secretary I love the show. From South Africa
My wife and I wait each week for this smart, hopeful, aspirational and well acted show. Great drama and unique in that it focuses on real world events more than private lives soap operas.
Please keep for a fourth season!!!
Returns March 5th from the research I did. Must be too many Sunday specials like super bowl, grammys, and competitive stuff, not sure why, but the 5th of March looks like the winning date for a re-start. Good ratings.
Keep Madam Secretary I love this show, why is it not on the Sunday after the Grammys?
This is one of the best dramas on TV with well written episodes, and an excellent cast all around. I continually look forward to the following Sunday. I was disappointed yesterday as my reason for watching TV on Sunday evening vanished.
It’s the only reason for watching tv on Sunday night. Very well written, actors are amazing.
One of my top 5 favorite broadcast TV shows… since forever! Agree with other comments re: football. Makes it nearly impossible to watch live! Please, please do not cancel this well written, well acted show.
One of the best shows on TV. Please do not cancel it. Never miss it!