Despite mediocre ratings, The Good Wife has avoided being cancelled for quite awhile. Is this the year that CBS stops renewing this award-winning drama? We’ll have to wait and see.
The fourth season of The Good Wife typically airs Sunday nights on the CBS network. The cast includes Julianna Margulies, Christine Baranski, Josh Charles, Archie Panjabi, Matt Czuchry, and Alan Cumming.
Below are the TV show’s ratings for the 2012-13 season, the best way to tell if The Good Wife is going to be cancelled or renewed for season five.
These figures will be updated as the weeks progress so be sure to bookmark and return to this page:
Final season averages: 1.7 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 9.41 million total viewers.
Episode 04-22: Sunday, 04/28/13 (season finale)
1.6 in the demo (+7% change) with 9.13 million (+1% change).
Season averages: 1.65 in the demo with 9.41 million.
Episode 04-21: Sunday, 04/21/13
1.5 in the demo (-12% change) with 9.02 million (-11% change).
Season averages: 1.66 in the demo with 9.42 million.
Episode 04-20: Sunday, 04/14/13
1.7 in the demo (+13% change) with 10.14 million (+18% change).
Season averages: 1.66 in the demo with 9.44 million.
Episode 04-19: Sunday, 03/31/13
1.5 in the demo (-12% change) with 8.59 million (-10% change).
Season averages: 1.66 in the demo with 9.40 million.
UPDATE: The Good Wife has been renewed for a fifth season by CBS.
Episode 04-18: Sunday, 03/24/13
1.7 in the demo (+13% change) with 9.59 million (+6% change).
Season averages: 1.67 in the demo with 9.45 million.
Episode 04-17: Sunday, 03/17/13
1.5 in the demo (0% change) with 9.08 million (-1% change).
Season averages: 1.67 in the demo with 9.44 million.
Episode 04-16: Sunday, 03/10/13
1.5 in the demo (-6% change) with 9.21 million (+2% change).
Season averages: 1.68 in the demo with 9.46 million.
Episode 04-15: Sunday, 03/03/13
1.6 in the demo (+23% change) with 8.99 million (+8% change).
Season averages: 1.69 in the demo with 9.48 million.
Episode 04-14: Sunday, 02/17/13
1.3 in the demo (-13% change) with 8.35 million (-11% change).
Season averages: 1.70 in the demo with 9.52 million.
Episode 04-13: Sunday, 01/27/13
1.5 in the demo (-21% change) with 9.35 million (-7% change).
Season averages: 1.73 in the demo with 9.62 million.
Episode 04-12: Sunday, 01/13/13
1.9 in the demo (+6% change) with 10.04 million (+1% change).
Season averages: 1.75 in the demo with 9.64 million.
Episode 04-11: Sunday, 01/06/13
1.8 in the demo (0% change) with 9.96 million (+3% change).
Season averages: 1.74 in the demo with 9.60 million.
Episode 04-10: Sunday, 12/02/12
1.8 in the demo (+13% change) with 9.70 million (+3% change).
Season averages: 1.73 in the demo with 9.56 million.
Episode 04-09: Sunday, 11/25/12
1.6 in the demo (-6% change) with 9.45 million (+5% change).
Season averages: 1.73 in the demo with 9.54 million.
Episode 04-08: Sunday, 11/18/12
1.7 in the demo (0% change) with 9.94 million (+10% change).
Season averages: 1.74 in the demo with 9.56 million.
Episode 04-07: Sunday, 11/11/12
1.7 in the demo (0% change) with 9.02 million (-9% change).
Season averages: 1.75 in the demo with 9.49 million.
Episode 04-06: Sunday, 11/04/12
1.7 in the demo (-11% change) with 9.93 million (-1% change).
Season averages: 1.76 in the demo with 9.59 million.
Episode 04-05: Sunday, 10/28/12
1.9 in the demo (+12% change) with 10.02 million (+10% change).
Season averages: 1.77 in the demo with 9.51 million.
Episode 04-04: Sunday, 10/21/12
1.9 in the demo (+12% change) with 10.02 million (+10% change).
Season averages: 1.77 in the demo with 9.50 million.
Episode 04-03: Sunday, 10/14/12
1.7 in the demo (0% change) with 9.12 million (+2% change).
Season averages: 1.73 in the demo with 9.33 million.
Episode 04-02: Sunday, 10/07/12
1.7 in the demo (-6% change) with 8.95 million (-10% change).
Season averages: 1.75 in the demo with 9.44 million.
Episode 04-01: Sunday, 09/30/12
1.8 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 9.93 million total viewers.
Season averages: 1.80 in the demo with 9.93 million.
Compared to the third season premiere, this debut was down by 18% in the demo (vs a 2.2 rating) and down by 7% in viewers (vs 10.66 million).
Reference point: The 2011-12 season averaged a 2.0 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 10.22 million viewers.
Note: These ratings are collected by the Nielsen company and are the final national numbers. These are different from the fast affiliate numbers which are just estimates of the actual ratings and are reported on by most other outlets. The final nationals are typically released within 24 hours of the programming or, in the case of weekends and holidays, a couple days later.
What do you think? Do you like The Good Wife TV series? Do you think it should be cancelled or renewed for a fifth season?
If The Good Wife (a fantastic show) is canceled due to low ratings, it is CBS’ fault. They moved it from a great slot on Tuesday night to the death zone of Sunday night. Ever since, it has lost viewers due to constant pre-emptions, either from awards shows or football games. They need to move it back to a week night where people can actually find it and expect much greater consistency in its broadcast schedule.
Hey, Lynn, what do you have against Golden Boy? Anyway, The Good Wife is one of those shows that we at work talk about after each episode. You cannot cancel now! Now that Peter has won the election, let Alicia go on with her life and join the new firm with Cary! There is so much more material the writers can keep using! Competition between the new firm and the old firm, the relationship between Will and Alicia is too wishy washy – either enhance that relationship or let it go!! LOVED the ending this past week where Cary showed… Read more »
This show has three of the hottest women on TV and they keep flubbing the storylines with them all. What they did with Kalinda was a disaster, and Julianna has jumped from one sack to the other. STOP IT! I am hoping she jumps ship and goes with Cary as he has been so under used these last couple of years it is sickening. I think they need a new writing team but I will watch continually because I can watch these beautiful women every week. I have had a crush on JM since ER, she is and so are… Read more »
I was late to the show but caught up with it over several weekend. I was hooked after completing seasons 1 & 2 but I am leaving now. I agree with other posters that the logistics with the show air time is an issue. But frankly, I just do not like the direction the show has taken. I have spoken with several people that have left the show this season. Let me be clear, seasons 1 and 2 were brilliant. Season 3 was petty good. Season 4 has been a big disappointment. They destroyed my second favorite character; Kalinda. They… Read more »
Honestly, it is the repeats. A lot of CBS shows have had repetitive repeats this season. I don’t see the reason for the repeats. Back in the day, shows ran from Sept to May and did not take 2 or 3 weeks off and show reruns. What is the deal? The good wife is an excellent drama and CBS has great shows. They just need to stop sabotaging them.
I AGREE WITH ALL THE OTHERS THAT ARE FAITHFUL FOLLOWERS OF THIS SHOW!!!! I HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT I SET MY DVR TO TAPE HOURS AHEAD SO THAT I DON’T MISS THE AMAZING RACE, THE GOOD WIFE AND THE MENTALIST!!! IF THEY WERE IN A BETTER TIME SLOT AND NOT INTERRUPTED BY THE SPORTS SPECIALS GOING ON THE RATINGS WOULD BE THROUGH THE ROOF!!!! PLEASE KEEP THE GOOD WIFE!!!!
please keep this show…it seems it just gets started and then the show is over…just love it and all the people..great show
I was wondering when the Florick election was going to be finally over…. Good grief, this was the longest election I ever encountered! I hope it returns next season!
The Good Wife is a very good show; it was excellent the first three seasons. The actors are an exceptional group, better than almost all dramas on the air at the present time. It is certainly equal or above in quality to the always popular NCIS, which also has a great cast. Even though I faithfully watch every football game that airs, I still find it extremely difficult to figure out what time the show would begin. The interesting, and sometimes complex storylines demand that “The Good Wife” be seen in it’s entirety. When you really enjoy a show, you… Read more »
I always go an hour later. I usually get all of it. 🙂
One of the best shows on, only screening times is ruining the ratinings
Please do not cancel this show it has a loyal following ind that would be a slap in the face to the fans
I agree with so many others – The Good Wife is so much better than most of the other hour-long dramas – I think what hurts it is being on a Sunday night. If it were on a week night replacing some of the other crap CBS has on, such as Vegas or Golden Boy – I am sure it would do much better!
This is a wonderful show. Wonderful cast, superb acting, great stories and the best guest stars. CBS programming does not help this by having it on Sundays especially following a football game making it start late. CBS should stand by The Good Wife.
I love this show. It is so much better than the crap they are replacing these shows with. I can’t believe how much they ruin these greats but ending them early to put on a cooking show or watch 13 women compete for a guy. I guess they consider that better entertainment. Please stop cancelling these shows. There are millions of viewers that prefer a good drama.