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 agree with most of the previous comments even though I’m “bleeding heart liberal” from Canada. It’s really too bad we’re losing a great drama. All we need is another brutal reality show, Law and Order or CSI.
average age 55?? im 15 and me and my mates loved this show, gave us something to look foward to and talk about, it showed the real side to the army how soldiers struggle to cope with day to day things life on and off base.. made a big mistake by taking this show off really pissing me off
CBS sucks A$$. This was one of the best shows on TV. Why are there so many stupid fake cop and hospital shows? Why not cancel one of them? All the previous comments are correct. This was as close to the real truth that the general public can see about our beloved military. You keep that reality crap like survivor and the amazing race on, but you give the military the middle finger!!
I have never posted comments anywhere, nor been disappointed so badly by a network. I am over 50, but do not think that my opinion should be so disregrded. Dave (Vietnam Ranger) said it well. All I can say is that I’ll never watch CBS.
Old Army
I don ‘t usually post but thought this worthy of a few words. Nothing different to the above comments but “what a shame”. Great show and will really miss it. Wish there was some resolution in the end and we weren ‘t left hanging.
I voted for Obama and I loved this show too. Fellow posters from a more conservative viewpoint: we liberals love our country too and we admire and respect the real troops, like the operators portrayed in this wonderful show. ‘The Unit’ had an appeal across the spectrum. What the article didn’t say, was CBS killed those audience ratings by moving the show around, the classic trick that’s used to finish off a series that someone, for some reason, doesn’t like. My guess is that datum about ‘average age’; the decisions are being made by ignorant twits in their thirties, marketing… Read more »
CBS is run by a bunch of turds.
What a Shame. The only thing I ‘ll watch on CBS now is football.
I can’t believe this. Every show I love gets the ax. I use to watch shows every night 7 to 10 and have to dvr some, NOW I can’t find shows to watch. I’m also sick of reality shows. This was a great show. Nice going.
This is the only show on TV I actually liked!! Bring it back please. JONAS RULES!!!
Are y0u getting in trouble by actually letting the public know there are special opps?
GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS AND ALL THAT PROTECT US!
I loved this show and read the book it was based on and I’m only 15 even though the average age viewing the unit was 55 the only reason I think the younger age group isn’t watching is because all they watch is fox. Although I do enjoy many of their shows, Im dissapointed to see the unit go…it always seems like the.l shows I have the most interest in always gets canceled.
This was one if not the best series on television. It was intelligent. It was about military and honor. It was also about the sneaky, underhanded things that our government likes to others and its citizens. I will miss this show terribly.
I agree with most of the above. This show was so well written, not your run-of-the-mill boring plot lines. I loved watching this program, knowing there was probably a twist in the story, and the people who are dedicated to preserving our freedom. We (myself, my husband, & a bunch of friends) are soooo disappointed you canceled this show. Please reconsider!!
I also love The Unit and am younger than 55 (as if that should make any difference) . It is an intelligent, well written show, which makes it quite uncommon on todays network television schedules . If CBS is too dull to see the value in it then maybe Haysbert and company can make more episodes for another outlet . I would love to see that .
This was the only movie that I considered worthy to watch. Real men and women living a hard life for their country. I guess there is no room in modern tv for real men and women. I wish someone in the movie industry would bring back more movies with more people of old time “love your country”character. Bring back The Unit and other movies like it, the real men and women of this country need something desent to watch!!!