CBS has stunned television fans by canceling six popular shows before the 2025-2026 season begins. The network pulled the plug on “Poppa’s House,” “The Summit,” “Blue Bloods,” “FBI: Most Wanted,” “FBI: International,” and “S.W.A.T.” This sweeping change impacts both new series and fan favorites that have been running for years.
“Blue Bloods” will end its remarkable 14-season journey despite ranking 9th among the Top 100 Shows of 2023-2024. The network’s decision affects several other established series too. “S.W.A.T.” couldn’t survive its third cancelation after 8 seasons. “FBI: International” and “FBI: Most Wanted” wrapped up after 4 and 6 seasons. The network also axed two newcomers – “Poppa’s House,” which struggled as CBS’s least-watched scripted show, and the reality competition “The Summit.” Tom Selleck voiced his disappointment about “Blue Bloods” ending. The news isn’t all bad though – CBS renewed “Fire Country,” “Ghosts,” “Matlock,” and several “NCIS” spinoffs for next season.
CBS Cancels Multiple Shows Ahead of 2025 Season
CBS programming faces big changes as the network reveals its 2025 television lineup. Fans expressed their disappointment on social media after CBS confirmed six series would end.
“Blue Bloods” wrapped up its remarkable journey in December 2024 after 14 seasons. Star Tom Selleck voiced his concerns about the decision, stating, “My biggest goal is to make sure people realize we went out in rather spectacular success. It wasn’t tired, it wasn’t anything else”. The show’s success was evident as it ranked 9th in the Top 100 Shows of 2023-2024.
The FBI franchise took a hit when CBS ended two spinoffs. “FBI: Most Wanted” concluded after six seasons and “FBI: International” finished its run after four. Cast member Keisha Castle-Hughes from “Most Wanted” thanked Wolf Films and CBS for “supporting an incredible run of the show”.
“S.W.A.T.” star Shemar Moore revealed in March 2025 that the series would end after season 8. The show had survived two previous cancelation attempts. Moore reached out to other networks and said, “Netflix, if you’re interested in a show that is on autopilot that the world is watching, we’d love to come play”.
CBS’s least-watched scripted program, “Poppa’s House” with Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr., ended after just one season. “The Neighborhood” will also take its final bow with its eighth season in 2025-2026.
Several planned spinoffs never made it to production:
- A spinoff of “The Neighborhood” centered on Marty and Malcolm
- “The Equalizer” spinoff featuring Titus Welliver and Juani Feliz
- The reality competition “The Summit” won’t return for a second season
The network did bring good news by renewing fan favorites. “Tracker” got picked up for season 3, “Ghosts” secured seasons 5 and 6, “NCIS” continues with season 23, along with several other popular series.
CBS Reveals Strategic Shift Behind Show Cancelations
CBS’s recent wave of cancelations has caused more than just viewer disappointment – it signals a carefully planned strategic overhaul. Industry sources reveal that financial factors, not ratings, drove these decisions.
Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment, highlighted the network’s focus on budget optimization: “Our new and returning series continue to showcase CBS as the leader in launching and programming the biggest hits with mass appeal for broadcast and streaming viewers”.
The network tried to cut costs within existing shows due to financial pressures. CBS attempted to reduce minimum guarantees for “FBI” and “Most Wanted” casts before cancelation. The network chose cancelation as the more economical option after these measures failed.
Production costs played a vital role in the network’s decisions. “NCIS: Hawaii” faced a higher risk of cancelation because Hawaiian filming requirements could get pricey. Challenging renewal negotiations between CBS and NBC Universal led to both FBI spinoffs’ end.
CBS has made room for new content in its lineup. The network allocated slots for “Sheriff Country,” a “Fire Country” spinoff, and “Boston Blue,” which extends the “Blue Bloods” universe. The network also develops “FBI: CIA,” starring Tom Ellis, to fill the gap left by canceled FBI spinoffs.
Skydance’s pending acquisition of CBS parent Paramount Global might have affected the timing since renewal decisions waited for new ownership. Research shows that 46% of Americans wait for a series to end before they start watching, which shapes network strategies.
These cancelations reflect a calculated business approach rather than failed programming. One industry observer stated: “CBS is making shortsighted decisions rather than logical, thought-out plans to ensure the network’s longevity”.
CBS Show Cancelations Signal Broader Industry Changes
CBS’s recent show cancelations tell us more than just network decisions – they show big changes happening across the TV industry. Networks must adapt to changing viewer priorities and money matters. These programming choices show patterns that affect everyone making content.
People thought streaming would take over traditional TV, but regular TV formats still make up about 57 percent of total viewing time. Age makes a big difference in viewing habits. Young viewers aged 16-24 spend more than half their TV time streaming. The 55-64 age group watches broadcast channels for more than two-thirds of their TV time.
Cable TV continues to lose subscribers. Traditional U.S. multichannel households will likely drop by 9.3 percent in 2025. This means U.S. broadcast TV station revenue will probably fall 6.9 percent to $37.60 billion from $40.40 billion in 2024.
Networks don’t cancel shows as quickly as they used to. The number of cancelations has dropped to just 24.5 shows yearly in the last two seasons. That’s much lower than previous years. The cancelation rate sits at 31 percent now. Networks want to keep their existing shows running when possible.
Several major changes drive these industry shifts:
- Financial consolidation – Big companies have shut down studios and changed TV leadership. Fewer people now make the big decisions
- Production costs – Sports broadcasting and high-quality content cost much more now
- IP reliance – Well-known intellectual property helps broadcasters find reliable audiences
The industry wants to use targeted advertising but has also found new value in traditional programming. CBS balances its old revenue sources with new digital projects.
These cancelations show how broadcasters now serve as launching points in multi-platform systems rather than standing alone. Industry experts believe “2025 could prove to be a pivotal year for the global media landscape”.
Conclusion
CBS’s wave of cancelations marks a pivotal moment for TV networks. Fans feel the sting from losing shows like “Blue Bloods” and “S.W.A.T.,” but these moves go beyond just changing priorities. Money has become the key driver of network strategies as production costs soar and viewers change their watching habits.
Linear television commands a strong 57 percent of total TV time. All the same, networks must adapt their business approach as demographics change and more people cut their cords. CBS seems to be playing a calculated game. They’re letting go of their 10-year-old shows to make room for new ventures like “Sheriff Country” and “FBI: CIA,” even when ratings are strong.
This isn’t just CBS’s story. The whole industry faces mounting pressure as big companies join forces, shows cost more to make, and audiences scatter. CBS’s moves stand out even more since cancelation rates across networks have dropped to 31 percent.
Nobody knows exactly what comes next. These cancelations hit loyal viewers hard, but they show how TV keeps changing into a world where shows live on many platforms, not just broadcast networks. CBS’s strategy shows how networks walk a tightrope between keeping successful old shows and dealing with the economic reality that will shape TV’s future.
FAQs
Q1. Which popular CBS shows have been canceled for the 2025 season? CBS has canceled several popular shows, including “Blue Bloods” after 14 seasons, “S.W.A.T.” after 8 seasons, “FBI: Most Wanted” after 6 seasons, “FBI: International” after 4 seasons, and “Poppa’s House” after just one season.
Q2. What factors influenced CBS’s decision to cancel these shows? The cancelations were primarily driven by financial considerations rather than ratings. CBS is focusing on budget optimization, managing production costs, and making room for new content. The network is also adapting to changing viewer habits and industry trends.
Q3. Are there any new shows planned to replace the canceled ones? Yes, CBS is developing new shows to fill the gaps. These include “Sheriff Country” (a “Fire Country” spinoff), “Boston Blue” (an extension of the “Blue Bloods” universe), and “FBI: CIA” starring Tom Ellis, which is set to replace the canceled FBI spinoffs.
Q4. How are these cancelations reflective of broader changes in the television industry? These cancelations signal industry-wide shifts, including financial consolidation, rising production costs, and changing viewer preferences. Networks are balancing traditional revenue streams with new digital initiatives and adapting to a cross-platform ecosystem where shows exist beyond just broadcast networks.
Q5. What shows are returning to CBS for the 2025 season? CBS has renewed several popular shows for the 2025 season, including “NCIS” and its spinoffs, “Survivor,” “The Amazing Race,” “Ghosts,” “Tracker,” “Fire Country,” and “The Neighborhood,” among others.
