Last week, CBS gave full season orders to all five of its new shows. The network execs have now cut the episode order for the veteran Medium series. What’s going on? Is Medium next to be cancelled?
Starring Patrica Arquette, Medium premiered in 2005 on NBC. The series ran on the peacock network for five seasons until it was cancelled. Because CBS produces the drama and it’s a syndication success, the eye network picked it up for season six and paired it with compatible Ghost Whisperer. The latter was cancelled last May after a decline in ratings but Medium survived.
This season, Medium has seen a significant decline in viewership. It’s averaged just a 1.3 rating in the prized 18-49 demographic and 6.2 million viewers. That’s a drop of 35% in the demo when compared to the same number of weeks last fall.
Medium is currently the network’s lowest rated show, by far. Fridays are a tough night to draw an audience but a 1.3 average is still very low. CSI: NY, which airs at 9pm, is averaging a 1.8 rating.
Based on Medium’s poor ratings and the success of the other CBS programming, it’s not surprising that the network has cut the show’s episode order for season seven. The cast and crew will make just 13 episodes instead of the traditional 22 installments. You may remember that CBS did something similar with Numb3rs last season and cancelled it in the spring.
This represents Medium’s smallest season in its history and will almost surely will be the drama’s last. CBS will likely replace it on the schedule by midseason.
On the positive side, if this is indeed Medium’s final season, producers will presumably have enough time to give the series some kind of closure.
What do you think? Is it time for Medium to be cancelled or are you still hoping for season eight?
Image courtesy CBS.
Medium is one of the best shows on TV and it is a shame the CBS executives don’t recognize it! It’s intelligent and mature and interesting! Friday night is a tough night to schedule, but I STILL watch this show EVERY WEEK! If this is cancelled on Friday, I have no reason to watch CBS on Friday! And I will rethink any nCBS viewing because I will believe they don’t care about quality viewing! I just don’t get it. Numb3rs, Ghost Whisperer and now Medium? I Friday where CBS sends shows that THEY want to get rid of? I am… Read more »
This is our family’s favorite show. We’ve been fans for years and really look forward to it. I actually thought that this season some of the shows are the best written yet. Change the night of this show, do not cancel it.
I have loved Medium since it was at the other network. Keep it!!!!!
I got addicted to Medium and love how well the show is written and how the characters are like a real family, I love that it is also based off a real medium and I had heard that the lady who is the actual medium said that the show would only last seven years. Well if anyone should know, its her! I think before they take Medium off the air, they will bump it to Sunday night, apparently that is where shows go to die. I have a feeling CSI:Miami will be going away soon since it has been bumped… Read more »
NO, Medium should no t be cancelled!!! Who is the percentage of people they are counting that represents the ratings of the show going down? It sure isn’t me or the many many folks I blog with on CBS website.
I preferred Medium on Monday nights as well, and am upset at the possible cancellation. It’s so rare to have quality television about a real, intact family and treat the supernatural gifts with wit, humor and really smart scripts. The show is suspenseful without needing special effects and funny without a laugh track. I will be very sad to see it end.
Medium is my absolute favorite show! Please try it in another time slot. 9 pm CST Fridays comes to mind…
I have all the seasons up to date. I love the show and was disappointed when it was moved from Monday nights to Friday nights. I work nights and Monday is my off day. The actors protray themselves as a family and it is expressed to the viewer. They are so natural. Please do not cancel MEDIUM. I watched the show nightly on Lifetime and I guess they finished the sixth season and replaced the slot with something else. I really love Patricia Arquette. I think she is a great actress. I would diffently miss the show. Please do not… Read more »
Medium is a great show! Please dont cancel it! I think simply changing its time slot will show just how many people really love the show! Its 8pm slot is simply too early. I myself sometimes have to tivo it to see later.
I’m sick of CBS, NBC, ABC, and all other networks. It seems just as you are pleased with a sitcom, they cancel it. I believe the time slot is wrong. You should probably pair against America’s Top Model or give it the 7 p.m. slot on Thursday. I’m looking for a show to catch my attention and end up watching Me TV. Just a thought
Please don’t cancel Medium. It is one of the most intelligent shows on TV with a family that looks like it really is a family. I love it.
I love this show and will be very sad if it is dropped. The entire family is awesome and I too love how the girls are growing into their gifts.
How sad! We love this show. Before they cancel, I wish they would move it to a better time slot so more people would have a chance to see how great of a show it really is.
Medium is the most well written show on tv. Some of the plot lines and the twists and turns are amazing. I view it more as a mystery/who done it show vs “I see dead people.” The family is very realistic and all the chidren are amazing actors. I think the oldest 2 girls will win major acting awards some day.
Medium is a wonderful show,that my family and many of my friends thoroughly enjoy every week.I even watch reruns until they recently took them off late night during the week.I can hardly think of why anyone would take it off.I think it is amazing at the ideas that the writers manage to come up with,and i like the fact that the children are all coming to find out about their gifts.I just know there has to be a time slot that will work for you.We love the program.
I agree, it is a great show that my wife and I love to watch after the kiddoes are in bed. Hate to see it go!