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’m saddened by the cancelation of The Unit. My husband and I are 30 years old, 25 years younger than the shows ‘average viewer’ and this show was the only one we both enjoyed. What a disappointment.
I have followed the show since the very first episode. I love the action and the behind the scenes drama. This a very well written show. Having a military back ground I can also relate to many of the situations that so often occur on the missions. If the network just has to cancel the show they could atleast do a grand finale to show what happens to the unit and its members so we the viewers get some type of closure. I really think they are making a big mistake in canceling the show.
Am 23 and looking forward to enlisting( Special Forces). The Unit gave me the insight of what to expect and how to cope so you gotta bring it back!
My wife and I have been watching The Unit for all 4 seasons and its one of our favorite shows. I cannot believe that all of these great actors and writers get the axe over the issue of only having 11.1 million viewers its fourth season. What?? This is a great show unlike so many of the knock off forensic and courtroom shows now on primetime. PLEASE BRING IT BACK CBS!!!
I am 26 and have been watching the show with my husband from the beginning. So phooey to those that say the demographic was over 55, what does that matter. I loved this show because it was so different than anything else on t.v. I wish they would have at least had a series finale instead of leaving like they did. Wherever these companies get their information from might want to cancel them because they are dead wrong about who is and isn’t watching this show.
There is so much garbage on TV right now. This was a great show! Very disappointed.
This really stinks. My husband, father-in-law and I looked forward to the Unit every week. It seems like every show gets canceled thats great. these days. But they add stupid shows to replace the good ones. The Unit was the show that gets you at the edge of your seat the while show. It was one great episode after another, I don’t think there was one episode i didn’t like. Please bring it back. Its fans need closure
Shut the front door!!!
I cant believe that Im reading this. My wife and I are in our 30’s and we watch the show along with friends our age. You must bring it back…
Such a bummer, this was one of my favorite shows. I too have been waiting to see when it would come back on. I am 40 and I think I would be a pretty good demographic.
My husband and I have been waiting for the show to come back on and now I find out that they have cancelled it I cant believe it!!! I am in my 30 also and I know a lot of other younger people that watch it also. Please bring it back!!!
My wife and I are in our early 30’s, and a lot of my friends watch it as we do, so the opinion that the show is being cancelled because the majority of viewers are older plain stinks! Plus, viewers is viewers… It doesnt matter how old people are, if they are interested in a show, that counts. At least bring it back for one more season. Like Jonathan, I feel cheated not knowing the end.
I am deeply upset about the cancellation of “The Unit” It was truly up on my favorite list of all time.
I was just checking to see when the new season woudl start and was dumbfounded by this announcement. I am 31 and have no military background, but think this is a well written show. I will definitely miss the drama and feel cheated that I do not know the end of the story.
I am in the military and i love this show. This show keeps me interested and on my toes and i love it. I love the story and characters and how they relate with my life and i will be sad to see it go. PLEASE BRING IT BACK!
This is one of my favorite shows and I was anxiously awaiting its return. I’m in my mid-60’s and loved this show. Doesn’t my viewing opinon count, or all of the TV shows geared to the “texting generation” and “computer generation” who don’t even know what “real” life is ! Its real, its different and shows people what our military can really do! Are these guys being pressured by politics to keep things quiet about what goes on in our country’s defense? Maybe someone hit a sore spot. Well, I’ve lost interest in CBS, PERIOD. I’ll not watch this station… Read more »