There’s another casualty on network TV. CBS’ military drama, The Unit, has been cancelled after four seasons on the air.
The Unit revolves around an elite military unit and their civilian loved ones. The series features the talents of Dennis Haysbert, Regina Taylor, Audrey Marie Anderson, Robert Patrick, Max Martini, Abby Brammell, Michael Irby, Scott Foley, Demore Barnes, Alyssa Shafer, Danielle Hanratty, Kavita Patil, and Rebecca Pidgeon.
Created by acclaimed director and writer David Mamet, the series debuted in mid-season 2006. An average audience of 15.5 million viewers ensured a second season for the drama but year two didn’t go as well, attracting 11.1 million viewers. The show has continued to decline in the ensuing years and season four has averaged an audience of 9.67 million. Though the overall viewership isn’t too low, the series does skew older. The average age of The Unit’s viewership is about 55.
The series has been “on the bubble” for awhile and many took it as a bad sign when showrunner Shawn Ryan signed on to helm FOX’s Lie to Me. Ryan however maintained that he would continue on both shows if The Unit was renewed. He’d previously performed double duty while working concurrently on The Unit and The Shield.
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Like most of the networks’ actions these days, the decision to renew or cancel came down to finances. CBS had asked for all of its shows to reduce their budgets. The Unit is actually already cheaper to produce than it looks. Shot primarily in Southern California, it costs less than $3 million per episode to produce. That’s about half as expensive as other primetime dramas.
A couple weeks ago, Haysbert told the LA Times that he was unsure if he wanted the show to come back if it meant making too many creative and salary concessions. He said, “There are a number of factors that go into whether I want it back or not. It’s been a great ride and, if I don’t work with these people again, I’ll certainly play golf with them.”
In an age when the networks and studios have to watch every dollar, they’ve all been favoring renewing shows that are created by sister or in-house production companies. Since 20th Century Fox TV produces the show, the network wouldn’t benefit if the show went into syndication.
Prior to the cancellation news, Gary Newman, chairman of The Unit’s studio, said, “For the CBS viewer, this show is unique. The audience may not be huge, but there’s going to be enormous disappointment if it goes off and it’s replaced with one more procedural or forensics show.”
Image courtesy CBS.
I’m sad! This was such an exiting and well made show. I do not watch many shows but this was a big exception. I’m going to miss it sooo much. We should all email CBS maybee with enough response they will bring it back?!?
The Unit was a show that I looked forward to every week. All the forensic stuff is getting old. The action and drama centered around military families was a refreshing change. It could have be the modern version of MASH, had CBS left them on the air. Let’s hope the actors all find quality work. They are all excellent! As for me, I will have to watch for the reruns.
I really wish the show would not canceled.
My husband and I really love this show..
Actually I’m not that kind of action favorite, but this show also show humanity and lots of tricks of how to solve the problem.
I really wish to the next seasons..
The unit was a great show as it grasped a since of reality that some shows fail to do. It is a huge mistake to take this show off the air as it has provided many with a reason to watch TV. No more cops and robbers or doctors, please!
Are you kidding, the show cut? with all the other garbage out there this show had so much potential.
we have enjoyed it so much we will boycott other cbs shows.
I cannot understand why this show was cut. I am furious with CBS.
I cant believe The Unit was cancelled, i loved that show. I dont really like the army, due to the fact that i am a marine lol, but that was the most bad ass show on telavision. It should most defenatly be renewed!!
CBS says it’s viewers declined in season 4, tell me what show you change to the 10:00 PM slot on Sunday’s and have it delayed many weeks due to NFL action or other sports. I know I watched it every week but it was hard to stay up till 11:30 after all the NFL action all day long. This show was a GREAT show, one of my favorites on TV today, CBS you suck for doing this. I hope whatever show you put on sucks to.
I am saddened to hear that “The Unit” will not be back, It is one of the better shows, must agree with one of the above letters, it was frustrating to have it moved a round due to other “one time” shows. There is to much “junk” on,
Keeping fingers crossed, that it shall return,
Absolutely ridiculous to cancel this show. One of the few shows I was dedicated to watching. Shame on CBS!
Loved the show. Soooo disappointed it’s gone.
I love the show. Season 4’s dificulty for me was the timeslot it was assigned. It kept getting preemtped by useless award shows and other specials. I would really like to see it stay around
WE LOVE THIS SHOW . There are several friends and family that all check in to see what is going on . Then we all get together and talk about how much we enjoyed the show. Are you nuts droping the show.
Please do everyone a favor and put the show back on, or please some other network pick it up.
Well, I guess duty, honor and country loose out again to the doctors, the cop and reality shows… The same thing happened over on NBC to “The E Ring”, about the same time “The Unit” was starting up. The Unit was doomed from the start to, doomed to every award-show, every tribute-show or late running football game that pre-empted or caused it to start late. So CBS doesn’t like older viewers… fine, the one show of theirs that I watched is now gone, so this 50 year-old Special Ops veteran will go watch the “Adult Swim” or “The Dog Whisperer”…… Read more »