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 loved the show, it was getting a little far fetched but it was still great. I met four of the cast members when they made a trip to Iraq in 2008. They were all great and took the time to talk to everyone. I am very upset about it being canceled, I agree with alot of the postings that they should try it at another time slot, they would definately be suprised from the ratings.
Yo CBS thats not right for taking this show off the air. I watched the first season in Iraq and loved it jus like everyone else. The only thing that come on tv now is corney reality shows and ten diffierent versions of crime shows “LAME” U should bring back the Unit at a different time slot with more promotion to really get it going for the 5th season and you will be surprised to how many people will watch it. ps Better yet sell it to the CW network. they’ll take a show like the Unit and turn it… Read more »
A great show with great writers, characters, and Americans heroes. The best combat series since “Combat”! Yet, the number-crunching, pencil-pushers at CBS do not have the sight to know this show is a classic in the making. Get back to the story line. Cool it with the token, and contrived racey sex, and PC sermonettes. I am canceling my CBS loyalty. No more CSI, Without A Trace, Cold Case. Back at you, CBS!
CBS this show would survive if you would show it at a better time than Sunday night.. It aired some nights later than 10 PM due to football games running over. Wake up and air another season as this was the best program and there is not one show like it.
**** CBS!
the unit has been one of the best to come over to us brits………keep fighting for a 5th series…….we are watching & waiting
There are very few real quality shows on TV. This is one! The actors actually look as if they know what they’re doing. Shame that the network is only interested in playing the numbers game.
Shame on CBS if you’re going to “Can” the Unit do it on carmera. We are watching.
I don’t know why everyone is so surprised, they did the same thing to Jericho, and when the fans made a fuss, CBS gave us what we asked for, second season, oh wait, no, they gave us a regurgitated long two hour movie equivalent to “wrap up the story”. Hopefully, but unrealistically, Season 5 will be made.
I think this program shows America in too positive a light, which is unacceptable at CBS.
Patriotism is bad, bad , bad!
gush! i keep on waiting for season 5… i’m so disappointed… the unit is such a great tv series we love it. pls bring it back…
Wow, one of the best shows on TV. I do not understand why you guys do that. The Unit was one of the best show’s on TV and my husband and I looked forward to seeing it each week. Now we were waiting for the new season which obviously will not be coming on. This sucks……….wish you would reconsider.
This stinks!!!! First Jericho and now The Unit???? Come on CBS, grow a brain and lose the reality shows and let us watch something that makes us think for once!!! You’ve screwed up two of the best shows ever to be on TV.
Damnit! This completely sucks. I loved the show, the people and the missions. Damnit!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a great show. Between Cold Case and the Unit, our family had night we all looked forward to. It gave us a good family night and some darned good entertainment. We would love to see it back on the air because I’m afraid the new shows aren’t going to cut it.