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.
The Unit is the only show that gets the rank and other things right about Army Life. It has showed realistic trauma, situations that our families go through as being part of the military. I am disappointed that the show has been cancelled. As for the numbers being low – wonder if had anything to do with the fact that we would tune in to watch but because of a long sports show or other interruptions it didn’t come on until later. I just found out about the cancellation after a conversation with military families stating that this is the… Read more »
The Unit was my favorite show, I just started back
watcing CBS when the Unit came on and the Unit influenced me
to watch a couple of other shows on CBS, now that that one of
the best shows on CBS has been cancelled, I HAVE DECIDED TO NEVER
WATCH CBS EVER AGAIN.
Out of the 20 shows we TIVO this was the only one from CBS. It was also a favorite of my wife.
This series cannot be cancelled, how can a realistic and informative show that contains plenty of suspense and drama as well as great stories and a superb cast be stopped. it would be a crime to stop this fantastic show, in the uk we had a similar style show called Ultimate Force (based on the SAS) and as good as it was, it didn’t compare with how great The Unit was. What i can’t understand is the TV companies won’t spend money on this great show but they’ll happly spend it on CSI Miami, CSI New York, CSI etc etc,… Read more »
I am very dissapointed on the decision of cancelling The Unit , it is a great show with a great cast. Dennis Haysbert as Jonas is amazing. I mean come on with Dennis “your in good hands” Like other people have said in there comments I really hope another network picks it up and shows CBS what they missed out on!
I am very dissapointed that they cancelled this show. I am so tired of reality TV. Please reconsider bringing back
This sucks. CBS never gave this show the advertising and timeslot it deserved. These idiots will put on crap like Big Brother and this new one There goes the neighborhood and even a stupid, poorly acted show like Medium but take off great shows like The Unit. I hope they reconsider or at least that another network picks this show up.
time for a petition……?
So disappointed that the Unit was cancelled. I am over 55 and loved the show. It always had a good plot. Please reconsider. Thank you
How sad that such an excellent drama be cancelled.Here in the UK The
unit has a strong following.The acting is superb,the stories are brilliant and action thrilling.How disappointing.HANG YOUR HEADS IN SHAME…
Is the american public so brain dead that they actually crave vapid programming like reality shows and 50 lawyer shows. I have enough of bloodsucking lawyers and medical beauracracy in my own damn life! I liked that show damnit! Nothing anymore is about the consumer…..its about maximizing profit and lowering cost. Lumber used to be kiln dried and cut thicker….now its smaller and sappy….car bumpers used to be metal and protected you….now they are molded with foam inside. The american consumer is slowly being nickeled and dimed every damn day and now after all the damn taxes and bs i… Read more »
CBS, GET WITH THE PROGRAM.THE UNIT WAS AN EXCELLENT SERIES. WHAT DO YOU EXPECT WITH ALL THE CHANGES IN THE TIMES YOU AIRED THIS SHOW. YOUR NETWORK HAS TO BE SMARTER THAN THIS OR MAYBE NOT.
If they replace this show with another retarted reality based backstabber or talent show I will boycot the network. It was a great show. Part of the problem is they kept changing show days and times. If you want viewers keep the show on the same day at the same time. Cost was not a factor. Consider that they produced the show for less than half of what the other craptacular stuff on at the same time. CBS just lost another good show and a viewer.
Unique shows are rare these days and this was truly one of them. I do not watch from the US and I do not watch CBS but the rest of the world also enjoys this fantastic mix of drama and well thought out and realistic action. i really hope they bring it back or at least have a TV movie to close it all off. TR
CBS Had MASH in the 70’s for the vietnam war soldiers familys. Now it is today about Iraq soldiers and there familys. They did not get rid of MASH it lasted for 11 years, The UNIT can go for a long time. just read the head lines. Till the UNIT comes back CBS will not get any surpport from me.