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 am so very disappointed in CBS. The Unit was a phenomenal show with plots that got better each episode. The Unit was a pure goldmine that made Murder She Wrote Plots look like cartoons. Bring Back The Unit!!!!!
Wow could not believe it when I looked up the unit on line wondering when it was going to start. What a shame with all the crappy shows out there I think you guys could have picked something else to eliminate! My wife and I have been watching the show from the beginning and we were looking forward to the new season. BOOOOO!!!! CBS Take a look at the pole and bring the unit back.
I cant beleive it gone I’ve been deployed and come home to find that the Unit was taken off the air why is that? It was a good show please bring it back .
I am So tried of the networks canceling great shows like Boston Legal, Las Vegas and Eleventh Hour and replacing em with stupid crap like Glee, Ghost Whisper, The Medium and Three Rivers( it’s just another spin off of House) ! OMG! I want The Unit back!!!! My Husband and I LOVE the show we look forward to watching it and so does are neighbor’s all I can say is what a mistake!!!!! A HUGE MISTAKE CBS! A bit of advice to CBS, maybe you should start listening to the viewer’s instead of those over paid employee’s you have working… Read more »
There was 1 show I could not wait until the next week to watch, The Unit. I was wondering when it was coming back on the air and I read this today that it is cancelled b/c of money. Terrible by CBS!!! There are a couple shows on CBS I really like but that is the last time I watch that channel. CBS is dead to me!!!
Sad to see the dumbing down of the public. Reality junk is filling the time slots. Just keeps making the case for leaving network tv.
I enjoyed The Unit. From a real soldier (22 yaers) this was a big mistake taking The Unit off the air. Being stationed in Germany I don’t have much to watch, but what I do have this was right up there. For your slodiers, airmen,and marines please bring The Unit back.
cbs………you guys just lost a faithful viewer! what should we be expecting from you in the near future? let me guess…….”the hills”? better yet, i heard “flavor of love” might make a comeback! i’m very picky as to what i watch, and “the unit” really caught my attention from the very first time it aired. way to piss off your audience, good job!!!
It is a depiction (As true as possible) of what is going on around the world. People are not ready to digest such hard facts on terrorism and sell outs. Give them another X Factor and a new Jessica Simpson starlet. That what the people want. I was amazed that the show stayed on for 4 years. I hoped that the show would have a respectable finale, but as usual budget cuts were a priority. Hopefully they will make a spin off with a team of paid commandoes. Life goes on and these great actors will have greater chances in… Read more »
Very sad to learn the Unit will not be back on the air this fall. It was one of my favorites! I’m so sick of all these reality programs! We finally get a unique, quality program and it’s taken off the air? It’s perfect since we are in the midst of war, it makes one feel a connection to the soldiers, and gives a better understanding of military, and the tasks they encounter. Now we have MANY Hospital programs airing, take one of those and replace it with the UNIT!!!! I believe the people have spoken, so bring it back… Read more »
THE SHOW NEEDS TO GO BACK ON I LOVE THE UNIT I’VE WACTH IT LIKE 4 TIMES AND I MEAN FROM SEASON 1,2,3 AND 4 SO SEASON FIVE NEEDS TO BE PUT ON
I knew something was up when I saw Scott Foley in an advertisement for a Law & Order episode. Today was the first I heard of the cancellation. I am truly disappointed. In my busy life running a company, and being a husband and father of two small children, I always made time to watch The Unit. A show of action, but realistic action. A show that not only expressed the sacrifices of our military personnel, but the real sacrifices of military families. It always made me appreciate those who protect us. I would love to see The Unit back… Read more »
I too have been waiting for the Unit to return. Bring the Unit back on.
There aren’t too many shows that I truely looked forward to but, the Unit was one that I did. Others go to work and dicuss Desperate Housewives My coworkers and myself dicussed the Unit. I am so disappointed that it is no longer going to be on.
This was a great show with some great actors. Small wonder the audience got smaller. Last season it was moved to late Sunday night and was delayed numerous times due to football. It seems like the network wanted to kill this show. The new shows for this season are not half a good. Big mistake canceling The Unit.