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.
can not believe a broadcasting channel can be so dumb!!! this was the best season yet,and had the best cast members some only new this season,all my work colleagues talk about it and watch it and there average age is 30 odd,so i dont know where your getting those rubbish statistics from of over 50s watching show. i think it was such a winner it appealed to everyone,to say im gutted is an understatment,CBS certainly know how to dissapoint fans,there becoming experts now! i hope someone pulls there finger out and takes up the reigns,and gives it more primetime and… Read more »
Absolutely gutted that they have cancelled the Unit, myself and friends are all serving soldiers (in our twenties) and we watched the Unit religiously, even taking boxsets with us to Afghanistan, to say cancelling this show is a crime is putting it mildy and the final kick in the teeth is if they replace it with some sort of Crime/Investigation drama, because there arent enough of them around are there??????
This is ehat kills me with execs and suits who makes these decisions. Do they really take into effect what fans want? Every one seems to be just cut from the cloth of following and not actually leading. Yes, take a step, make a decision, even if not main stream. This was such an excellent show, juggle the dates if you have to. God knows there is a bunch of other crap that coudlhave been canceled instead. I looked forward to seeing it come one whenever it did, and I am sure I amnot alone. As for the demographics, a… Read more »
hey here’s an idea what if sense this is the last season of Monk on the network USA they pick the unit back up to fill the empty spot of Monk.
Vote yes or no if you like this idea.
CBS on the East coast Sunday Night at 10:00 PM is the kiss of death for any show in this time slot! The Unit is one of the best shows on TV but when football causes all the programs on Sundays to be put back in their time slot to sometimes not coming on until 10:35 etc. just plainly kills the show ratings.
The Unit is a great series. It should definitely be continued. My family loves it. We want more!
CBS really messed up this time…The Unit is a winner and will be greatly missed!
CBS actually had something with “The Unit”. I am extremely disappointed with the decission by CBS to cancel this series. I actually don’t even watch CBS anymore due to the silly choices that they have made….
The Unit is the best television series!! Bring it back or make a movie series.
I am totally devastated at the cancellation of the unit, it is one of the best shows ever made and many of my friends – all mid 20’s – agree. It’s not fair for all the viewers to cancel a show like this without a real finale at the very least!!
I just logged onto CBS to check when The Unit will be starting season 5 and learned that the show has been cancelled. Are you crazy???? The Unit was one of the best written and probably one of the most accurate shows on television, that depict the actual life and operations of our nations military forces. If it weren’t for the actual real Special OPS forces in our different branches of the military, I don’t think our nation would be as safe, as it is today. What an injustice to cancel The Unit. CBS, where is the respect that our… Read more »
This was the best show on television. Please bring it back
There has to be a way to save The Unit. They saved jericho a few years ago. We have to come up with a plan to save it. What would Jonas, Bob, Mack and Charlie do?
I’m devastated. This was my favorite show in the whole world. It’s the only show I ever made sure i was home to watch. I’m just devastated.
I can’t believe you guys cancelled this show. You could have a least changed the time slot or day to give it another chance. Not only did the producers create some a wonderful show that keeps your attention from begining to end. But, they did it at low cost. This shows how much respect our soldiers really get. I’m not surprised though – just keep making room for “BS reality shows”. I think you age analysis is a little skewed!!!