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.
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Why do they keep cancelling such great shows and putting on crap like The Hills. So tired of these reality shows. We need good action packed show’s and all they give us is crap!!!
Unbelievable! I loved this show! It is difficult for me to ever find a show I can watch religiously, and I found that with the Unit. Now, I am on the hunt again for a great show…BIG shoes to fill. I refuse to watch CBS now that they’ve cancelled The Unit!
The cancelation of the unit is a great loss for the TV audiance. As with many greats and cult classics such as Star Trek for example these limited four seasons will be in demand for years to come. I am really disapionted in the network. When will they understand that not every one is a sheep, not everyone is wolf some of us are sheep dogs! Our numbers are less but just as meaningful!
Loved the Unit! I think canceling it was a mistake. I wish FOX would pick it up, let them reap the rewards off such a great show.
Unreal. This was a must watch show for my wife and I. We are in our 30’s and loved the show. As the years have been going by great shows just don’t seem to fit into the mold of the masses. And the networks follow the masses. It
Canceling the Unit is mostly another reason I hardly watch CBS in the evening anymore. I’d rather watch reruns of Dr.G on discovery health! Heres hoping you all wise up before I delete CBS from my remote.
CBS you suck. You cancelled the unit? What the hell is wrong with you? Are you sure you know what your viewers want? You left it at a dead end! Atleast give everyone some closure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BEST SHOW ON T.V. WAITED AND WAITED FOR ITS RETURN. OF COURSE IT HAD SO MUCH GOING AGAINST IT…GREAT ACTORS, INTERESTING PLOTS, TERRIFIC INTERACTION BETWEEN THE MANY DIFFERENT FAMILIES, UNITS, AND PEOPLE, SO OF COURSE. IT WAS CANCELED. LET’S GET BACK TO MINDLESS, PLOTLESS SHOWS WITH ONE-DIMENSIONAL STORY LINES — OH I KNOW, HOW ABOUT SOME MORE CSI? WOW, THAT IS SO CREATIVE. LET’S DO CSI IN DENHAM SPRINGS, LOUISIANA.
Come on! This was one of the best of shows in a long time. I watched every episode. I liked the interchange between the men being very, very rough on the field and then being a gentleman at home, for the most part. Bring the show back!
I’m looking at the dates of these comments and I think alot of people are in the same boat as me. We’ve been wondering when the show is premiering and then we see this announcement! So CBS will pick up Medium(which has really dropped off in quality btw) and they can’t keep The Unit?! This article is over 5 months old and look at how many people are posting! We want this show back!
Are you kidding?!!! I have been waiting months for the Unit to return only to find out that some tunnel vision bureaucrat has cancelled it. With all of the CRAP TV you choose to cancel one of the best shows. I really don’t understand what you people are thinking. This show was entertaining, thrilling, and on the edge. It gave civilians an insight on what may be going on throughout the world. Though it was fiction it made us appreciate the military and their families. I am the wife of a retired Marine Office and knowing some of these folks… Read more »
So the geezer network has canceled a great show because the bean counters conclude the average age of viewership is 55. What crap.
This only confirms that CBS and the U.S. Congress have much in common. They both are overrun with overpaid blowhards who fool themselves into thinking they know what America needs, and lack any real understanding of what America wants.
Please bring back The Unit. It has got to be one of the best shows on TV. How do you cancle a show like this. Do these network people even pay attention to what people want.
This is (was) the best show on TV. I also have a military background and I read alot of books with stories similar to this show. If CBS won’t bring it back, hopefully another network will pick it up.