CBS’s decision to cancel Blue Bloods after 14 successful seasons left fans frustrated, and now, the network has made an unexpected move—replacing it with S.W.A.T. in the Friday 10 PM ET timeslot.
However, S.W.A.T. has a rocky history with CBS, having been canceled twice before. With lower ratings than Blue Bloods, can it survive, or is another cancellation inevitable?
Why Did CBS Cancel Blue Bloods?
Despite its strong ratings, Blue Bloods was canceled after season 14 for several reasons:
- CBS wanted to “refresh” its schedule.
- Production costs were high, even after the cast took a 25% pay cut (per The Hollywood Reporter).
- The network may have been looking to invest in newer shows instead of continuing a long-running series.
Regardless, the decision was unpopular among fans and even the cast, who tried to save the show—but CBS didn’t budge.
CBS Chose S.W.A.T. to Replace Blue Bloods—But Was It the Right Move?
New Friday Schedule on CBS:
- S.W.A.T. moved to 10 PM ET (formerly Blue Bloods’ slot).
- NCIS: Sydney now airs at 8 PM ET, taking over S.W.A.T.’s old slot.
Why S.W.A.T. Was a Surprising Choice
- S.W.A.T.’s ratings are lower than Blue Bloods.
- S.W.A.T. has already been canceled twice before, showing CBS’s lack of confidence in its longevity.
- If Blue Bloods wasn’t worth keeping despite strong numbers, how can CBS expect S.W.A.T. to succeed in the same spot?
“CBS seemingly expects S.W.A.T. to match or even beat Blue Bloods’ performance when it simply can’t,” as noted in industry analysis.
Is S.W.A.T. in Danger of Being Canceled Again?
CBS has not yet announced a renewal for S.W.A.T. season 9.
Viewership Comparison:
- S.W.A.T. season 8, episode 10 – 3.4 million viewers (+12% from the previous week).
- Blue Bloods season 14 average – 5.07 million viewers.
Even with an uptick in viewers, S.W.A.T. is still far below Blue Bloods’ numbers—which wasn’t enough to save it.
CBS is expected to decide S.W.A.T.’s future by spring 2025 (per Deadline).
Will S.W.A.T. Get a Season 9 Renewal?
- Possibility of Renewal: If ratings improve significantly, CBS might keep it for another season.
- Risk of Cancellation: If numbers remain low, CBS may cut it, just like Blue Bloods.
- Wildcard Factor: If CBS has no strong replacement lined up, S.W.A.T. might survive longer than expected.
If S.W.A.T. is canceled, CBS will need to find another show to fill the 10 PM Friday slot—again.
