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?


This is the first TV show I have watched in years! Tired of all the medical, sitcoms, and police-who done it show! Finally entertainment with some substance.
Definitely love the show and Katherine and Nick! Work for a contractor and it is often very timely given current news and real ongoing situations. Please renew it! Sick of the stupid shows that continue on and on and on. This show, Blacklist NCIS are the only dramas we like.
I will be so disappointed if there isn’t a season 2… This show was so good!
I love the show please renew!!
My wife and I have enjoyed State of Affairs and hope it returns with season 2.
I think it is very believable, but I think the storyline carries too many complicated situations at once. It is all very believable, but the second episode I think was too confusing throwing people for a loop. That is where I think that the show lost a lot of it’s viewers. I think it isn’t until the third or fourth episode that you can grasp the complicated back track of Heigle’s memory loss or repression, and put two and two together. And you still don’t know whether it is PTS or memory loss. Which PTS makes more sense the way… Read more »
Great show. Renew please
Great show.
This is the only show I watch on this network! And the time slot is too late! On Monday at 10? I’m tired from my busy Monday! I always dvr it!
Renew State of Affairs!
Please renew State of Affairs! I love Katherine as the lead in this!
Keep the show, bring on SEASON 2!!!!
PLEASE RENEW ENTIRE FAMILY ABSOLUTELY LOVE LOVE “State of Affairs”.
I was in MI in the military and this show is very real from what I can telll. It’s a great show with complicated real situations and I hope you renew and give it more advertising and promotiion. I’m afraid the poor ratings are because it may be too complicated for the american public to follow. I don’t think they understand how the world works and what needs to be done. All they want is for “someone” to protect them so they don’t have to worry. I do think there are plenty of people that appreciate a smart series like… Read more »
I think the show should be renewed.Please don’t cancel it