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.
It’s usually the same response: “I can’t believe lthey’re going to… It’s the best show…, etc.. Apparently, our comments have little effect on those making the decisions. Let’s not make believe what we say has any import or impact.
I was shocked to hear that CBS cancelled The Unit. It seems to me every time a good series comes along, it get’s cancelled. Too bad, I guess I’ll just have to go back to drinking and go fishing.
I can’t believe that the decision makers in the CBS Crystal Palace would cancel a sensible show like ” The Unit “. Personally I am sick and tired of whining celebrities in the jungle show, or LOST; which really makes no sense, game shows and so forth. Just don’t understand to what type of people they are catering to. Get ” The Unit ” back ! Get rid of the other shallow, whining, stupid show with the intrigue who has an affair/hot sex with whomsoever. WHO CARES????? Get some good sense into your programming again and get rid of the… Read more »
I agree with everyone , The Unit was really great dump some of the reality shows.
There goes another good TV show.
Well I guess intelligent older viewers do not count in Hollywood’s eyes. The need to cater to the ignorant and high school kids. Make way for some new reality show crap. Just one less hour I will spend in front of the tv.
I cant believe it..
Just heard its not renewed..
I looked forward to that show every week..
This is absurd… celebrities in panama survives ?
The Unit is one of the best shows on tv. cancel the stupid ass reality shows that are ruining tv
What the hell? Has CBS gone completely insane? There are very few network tv shows on that provide quality entertainment anymore; every channel seems packed with one reality show after another and I am heartily sick of that brand of so-called entertainment. I’ve had it with CBS. First Swingtown bites the dust, now pretty much my absolute favorite regular network tv show, The Unit.
Way to go, CBS, way to go. I wonder what goofball, cheesey reality series they’ll come up with to replace The Unit?
I really like the Unit, but it’s not a surprise. They were moving it all over the schedule so that it was difficult to find when the new episodes were playing. If they want shows to succeed, why do they make it so difficult for people to watch them? I think they have had it in for this show for awhile.
This is my 1st time on this website. Are u kidding me? I’ve been a loyal fan of The Unit since its debut. Cancelling this show would be unAmerican! What with all that is going on in today’s world, after I watch Jonas & the team save us to live another day, it gives me hope. There is so much more to this show. It delves into their families to give us a blueprint as to how the Unit’s career choice affects their wives & children. I have to believe that someone will step up & reconsider cancellation. The finale… Read more »
This was a great show and enjoyed by my sons, 21 & 18 and the old parents of 49 & 57. Its appeal wasn’t limited to an age bracket. The networks seem to be cancelling the shows people enjoyed but keep the shows that none of our family watches nor friends. I’ve studied the Nielson’s and never understood the accuracy, but good shows are going off and the junk stays on. At CBS they keep that Christine show, which is awful, but cancel a great show like the Unit, which had you on edge from the start. I just saw… Read more »
The Unit is one of the best shows on television. I think some of these stations need to hire new people to decide who gets taken off the air. Whoever decided this is definitely wrong! There are so few good shows as it is, now this decision makes it even worse!
I love the unit, it’s so sad that CBS is cancelling my favorite show.
The unit cancelled?? What the hell is wrong with cbs I will never turn that channel on !!
I keep thinking and thinking about not having this hour every week to look forward and I feel so let down. I am not prepared to say good bye to the characters I have come to know and love and identify with. This show inspires confidence in my government by giving us a glimpse into things that go on “behind the scene” in the military for our protection. I know it isn’t all real, but it’s what we all need to see. Something to believe in and rally behind. A show you are proud to watch with the family. Never… Read more »