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.
Fans of the Unit missed an entire season when the writers went on strike, yet 9.67 million loyal, committed fans were eagerly awaiting the next season! My husband and I are SO dissapointed that it has been cancelled. I cannot stomach any more criminal/forensics shows. I guess my only hope now for a decent action show with guts is Fox’s “24”! Just when I thought CBS might be able to deliver top notch shows, they blow it again. Goodbye CBS!
Being an ex military person, I thoroughly enjoyed The Unit. Everyone worked so well with each other. I am so disapointed in CBS. They keep silly drama like Big Brother and Survivor and any other reality show on for years, but real shows with heart and soul they cancel. I agree with anonymous. My day was great until I read this.
The Unit was amazing! My husband & I loved it from the very beginning. We are truly disappointed that it has been cancelled. It was the ONLY show I would stay up late for on a Sunday night. Will especially miss seeing Scott Foley!
I was trying to find the new season info on to update my DVR and came across this extremely disappointing news. The Unit was the one and only show that I truly enjoyed watching each week. I’m sick of all the reality shows and same old CSI type shows. Guess I have to waste my time checking out Leno’s new show. Goodbye CBS.
We are very sad to hear that the unit will not be coming back….i think this is a very wrong descion to make…..i like most people work during the week and dont get to watch much of anything i always looked forward to watching the unit and wind down for bed…..you should bring this show back or a different network should start it up again…..you just can’t leave people in suspense thinking that i’ts going to start up in the fall again…you left so many questions on answered…..just to bring in more dumb realality tv….which is just so stupied…..i agree… Read more »
I have been a member of the Army for 20 Years, I love this show. I am stationed in Washington DC with the Presidential Honor Guard, The Old Guard. The Unit is my favorite show even over Football. I look forward to you reversing the cancellation.
Does not surprise me. Just one more case of taking off a GREAT show and replacing it with crap. I will definitley miss the Unit!!
My husband and I are very sad that such a great show has been cancelled. Who makes these decisions? Obviously something is wrong when 99% of those surveyed were unhappy about the cancellation.
This was a fantastic program. My wife and I are young. We agree with the thoughts in all of these other posts! That was the only show that justified us having CBS on the fav’s list. Bye bye CBS.
Instead of giving your sponsors 10M viewers you are going to give them none. Do people who spend money watch big brother?
This is, I apparently mean ‘was,’ one of my favorite shows. Granted it did take some direction that it probably didn’t need to, but could’ve been great if they just stuck to the action scenes. I like having the family aspects, but don’t know if we need to show how wives are cheating on their servicemen while their away. All in all, I am going to miss it. It’s too bad.
The Unit. To me it looks like the government does not want some shows on the air because they tell everyone about the things that are done by our people (military, politicians). Another good show that did not live for too long was Commander in Chief. It showed some of the workings of some politicians. That is my opinion, if I am wrong, I am wrong, if not, I am right.
This makes me SICK!!!! I can’t believe there will be no more Unit omg. This is one show that me and my husband really enjoyed together. This sucks. Why on earth would they drop such a good show without even putting an end to the story. COME ON!!!
CBS … drops the ball once again!!
they ruined the show by moving it to Sunday nites(after NFL football)…. then they go & cancel it!! Ugh….
needless to say, i will NOT be watching any new shows this season…
Shawn G
I was looking through the listings to find out when The Unit started up again and found out that is was cancelled. Very disappointed. I just decided I am not watching any new shows. I get connected to characters and then…BAM! they just take it off the air with no closure for the series. I am one who also bought the seasons on itunes and started watching them again so I would be ready for the new season. I guess the tv execs believe that we need more crime investigation and police shows. Hey CSI…there are still alot of cities… Read more »
Just like many of these comments, my husband and I were religious in watching The Unit…I even buy the DVD series when they come out, we love them so much!! My husband was waiting anxious in Afghanistan for his recordings of the new season of The Unit and now has to hear AGAIN about another GREAT show we watched has been cancelled.