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 stopped watching when Hillary lost.
“Madam Secretary” is one of the smartest shows on television. It is timely, insightful and well-acted. Please renew one of the best shows on television.
I really like the show and the story they tell. It reflects what’s happening in the world today, to some extent, but not as ridiculous.
Love the show. I think sporadic airing is why the ratings are low. CBS needs to stop postponing the show or having it start later due to other broadcasting.
My favorite show. Ratings would probably be much higher if it were on another night when football and other unknowns would not take its place. It needs to be aired every week at the same time. The writing and acting are both great. So, CBS, do what you have done with other good shows, promote it and keep it, PLEASE. So many shows now are not fit to watch. This is one of the best we have found in a long time.
Madame Secretary is one of my favorite shows. In the beginning, I wasn’t sure. It takes a while to commit to a new show. It took a year or two for me to warm up to Cheers. I didn’t begin to watch everybody loves Raymond until about the fourth season. It turned out to be one of my all-time favorite shows I’ve probably seen reruns of each episode three or four times. Sunday evening was my favorite TV night with the good wife and Madame Secretary. With both of them gone I’m going to have to take up exercise or… Read more »
I believe CBS is trying to ruin the show! Sporadic airings, late starts due to football games overrunning their time, no previews or ads to keep the public updated on when we’ll see it again! It’s a great show, great dialog, interesting characters and relationships!
I Love it! I personally think the low ratings are due to the sporadic airing of the shows. During football season you never know what time (or if) it will come on. Then after football season, this year, it was off for a full month? This is not a way to create interest. PLEASE give it a secure spot and keep it on?!
Love madam secretary
One of the best shows on CBS!!! Why would it be cancelled? Considering some of the ABSOLUTE GARBAGE (Two Broke Girls being at the top of the trash heap) that are airing, I would be very upset if Madame Secretary was cancelled!!!
Bad news for you. This show has become absolute garbage. Look at the ratings since year one.
Absolutely my favorite show . I look so forward to it each week . Very well written , excellent acting and interesting subject matter . Please renew this show ! Please Don’t cancel !!
It’s better than average, good dialog and character development.
Action scenes are good back-up for drama.
Madam secretary is my favorite show. What sucks is waiting all week to watch it, and then finding out it is on every 3 or 4 weeks. Cbs management sucks. Let a real station air the show
Love Madam Secretary…keep it
Madam Secretary is one of my favorite all-time shows. Reminds me the West Wing series several years ago. Tea Leoni is perfect for the part and a very good actress (doesn’t hurt that she is beautiful!) CBS has genius producers coming up with the NCIS series, MacGyver, Hawaii 5-0, Blue Bloods, Scorpion and more, and Madam Secretary fits well with these dramas and action shows. The Sit-Coms are pretty lame so its good to have strong shows like Madam Secretary. I think there are some weak actors in Madam Secretary, and maybe having more “experienced and seasoned” people in the… Read more »