Both CBS and NBC have launched new TV shows that revolve around smart blonde women who hold important government positions in Washington, DC. CBS’ Madam Secretary has already been renewed for a second season. What will happen to NBC’s State of Affairs? Will it be renewed or cancelled?
State of Affairs follows a top CIA analyst (Katherine Heigl) who assembles the President of the United States’ Daily Briefing (PDB), weighing the vital security issues that face the nation. She has a close personal relationship with the commander-in-chief (Alfre Woodard) as she was once engaged to the president’s now-deceased son. The rest of the cast of this dramatic thriller includes Adam Kaufman, Sheila Vand, Cliff Chamberlain, Tommy Savas, and David Harbour.
Taking over for NBC’s highly-rated series The Blacklist, State of Affairs debuted in November to a healthy 2.2 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 8.69 million viewers. It was a solid start that was no doubt aided by its strong lead-in The Voice. Some people were also possibly expecting to find a new episode of The Blacklist in the timeslot instead.
In week two, despite still having a strong lead-in, State of Affairs’ ratings dropped more than 36% to a 1.4 in the demo with 5.39 million. They rose up a bit in week three but have been falling ever since. Last week’s installment hit new series lows with a 0.7 in the demo and 3.62 million viewers.
Though NBC had high hopes for this series, State of Affairs is just not measuring up. The network is poised to finish airing the 13 episode season (there are four episodes remaining after tonight’s) but it’s hard to imagine that they’d consider renewing it for a second season with poor ratings like these.
NBC entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt recently said, “I’m disappointed in what it’s been doing [in the ratings] the last couple of weeks… It’s a show that I think is a really fine show, so I’m scratching my head a little bit about why we can’t get more people to be there for it.”
There’s still time for the numbers to improve but it doesn’t seem likely they’d be good enough to save the show. Hopefully the season finale will offer viewers some measure of closure to the ongoing storylines.
But, what do you think? Do you like the State of Affairs TV show? If you ran the network, would you cancel or renew the series for a second season? How would you improve this show if it was renewed?


Please keep it!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS SHOW!!
Love Katherine! Please renew it! She’s a great Actress- despite what others say..
Love this show. Please do not cancel it
Pick it up for a second season great show.
LOVE IT! Please renew!!!!! Look forward to it every week
Excellent series 100% voting for renewal
Kill it. The show is drifting more and more into pantomime and absurdity. Shameless.
Keep Heigl though, she’s got decent acting skills–though this show doesn’t prove it. Find her a sustained guest spot on Blacklist. Now that’s a show!
Also love the casting good job!
Renew the show!! Love it!
PLEASE don’t cancel this show, it’s great!!!
Love the show,good stories,well dramatized,please renew,renew!!!
Love the show,well acted,should not be cancelled,can not understand the decline in viewer ratings,please do not cancel.
Love, love, love this show! Please don’t cancel (can’t believe the network would even be thinking about it)
Good show,well acted. RENEW.
I look forward to this show each week. I think it’s very interesting and keeps you guessing. It’s intriguing and sophisticated. I don’t want to see this show cancelled. It has room to continue to grow with new story lines and challenges the characters will face in their lives and work. If it’s to be renewed it needs to move onto another story line from the one that’s unfolded, this will keep viewers coming back for more. When story lines drag out too long, viewers become bored. From what I’ve seen it looks like they’ve wrapped up somewhat the current… Read more »
Would love to see Nick and Charlie both survive and both go rogue. They could go after Alan Arkin’s group…that would be interesting!
LOVE IT!!!!
State of Affairs – our favorite new show of the season. Why?? Excellent cast. Engaging political plot. Exciting love story. Please – NBC MUST RENEW IT! Thank You!!