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.
 Loading ... |
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.
CBS: Remember when you all picked up JAG from another network? That was a great move, right? Hear this – cancelling The Unit is a bad move. Live with it.
Good bye “The Unit” ??? Well then, good bye CBS! Never again will I allow myself to invest my precious time to never miss an episode only to be once again let down by a network only dedicated to $$$ and never to its viewers! Take a great show off that gives our country a positive look at our heroes who go unsung on a daily basis to be replace with stories of no value! Yeah, that makes sense! But hey. It’s all about the dollar and another example of GREED! Again, I say never again!
the unit is a excellent show that deserves to continue. it has brought my family and friend together. i am an ex-military member and this is the only show that really displays the reality of been in the military and the estrugles we go thru as service members. each character brings the followers different emotions that make this show unique to its gender. please do not cancel THE UNIT.
I can’t believe that CBS would remove the most real hard hitting drama that has ever been on TV. Most of the show’s on TV now are just an hour long story of pure babble that is just plain boring. The Unit was more like watching the longest mostinteresting movie in the world. The story is one long one with some side stuff going on from time to time. Other show’s go in the other direction. An hour of side stuff with five minutes of actuall story. The Unit had such a hard hitting story each week that when I… Read more »
CBS bounced another show around the schedule a very long time ago… “MASH”. The show found its audience and the rest is history. I would like to see a cable company pick this up, I think the story lines could be expanded.
It’s truly a disappointment that CBS canceled “The Unit”. That is a great show with great storyline’s and a great cast. That was the only reason why I even watched CBS in the first place (that and NCIS). Each episode was action packed and surprising and also appealed to my BF who is a military veteran. CBS needs to seriously get their act together. Stop coming out with so called “reality” shows and keep great shows like “The Unit” on the air. Maybe if another network reads this, they can pick up “The Unit” from CBS because they don’t know… Read more »
It’s a disgrace that CBS canceled this fine show. A cable network should pick up The Unit. We primarily watch cable dramas in this household due to the insipid shows on network television.
For me spend time with my family it’s very important. When I’m of duty I spend some time watching some TV show with my Family and this is one good example of a good TV show for the family. Don’t close this exceptional TV Show, well written and acted . It portraits something that some civilian families ignored about the Military families all around the world, we enjoy this show at a Family level . Pretty clean and lean with out that nonsense violence of today shows and bad mouthing. DON’T – I repeat – DON”T CANCELED !! this Unique… Read more »
This is a HUGE Disappointment!!! I didn’t watch network tv for years until 24 and Lost came out… Love those 2 programs and have seen every episode of each. …then, I found the Unit and became hooked. If it were on the same time slot as 24 – the Unit wins hands down. This is by far the best TV series ever created. CBS – you guys need to get it right… leave this program on air… If not for the Unit – I would have boycotted CBS after they cancelled Jericho. You’ve definitely lost another viewing family if you… Read more »
who in their right mind would cancel a great show like THE UNIT. Airborne Rangers not only watch this show religiously but relate and live the life of the unit members. the story line is awesome and the family life is dead on. why would you cancel such a great show. even with the time spot changes we followed the UNIT where ever you put it. RANGERS LEAD THE WAY…AND THEN SOME
Lets put on more “Reality” shows to further dumb down the intelligence of the country, or maybe a CSI: Fargo?
I don’t know what the folk’s on CBS are thinking about…this is an excellent TV series…I am waiting 2-3 weeks to watch a new episode here…guarantee there are more than 10 million people watching this here Russia…
This is a very sad moment indeed! The Unit has been one of the few real high points on TV for the past seasons. It has a strong and dedicated following who couldn’t be dissuaded inspite of all attempts on CBS side to do so. Erratic schedules and uncomfortable airing times could not make this trooper waver for a second or episode!
CBS shows absolutelly no regard for it
This show was a great outlet for troops and their families! Hopefully, it will be picked up by another network!
The cancellation of this superb, high-quality, show is a travesty. It is easily the best thing on TV. In recent years, one excellent show after another has been cancelled and yet the most insipid shows remain. But, as there is a solid audience for this show, CBS should either find another time slot for it or a cable network should pick it up. It is easily in the class of The Closer, another fine show. Those viewers who appreciate quality TV need to speak up and insist that they be served, as well. And, if that means audiences of 55+,… Read more »