Private Practice was cancelled primarily due to a steady decline in viewership ratings throughout its run. The show struggled to maintain audience numbers compared to other successful series on television at the time, even those from the same production house.
Over its six seasons, Private Practice experienced a consistent drop in its audience. By the time of its sixth season premiere, the show garnered only 6.45 million US viewers. This marked a significant decrease in its viewership over the years.
In comparison to other popular Shondaland series that were airing concurrently in 2012, such as Grey's Anatomy and Scandal, Private Practice fell short in terms of overall ratings performance. The lower viewership made it less viable for continued production, ultimately leading to its cancellation.
