NBC might be able to saveFBI: Most WantedandFBI: Internationalafter CBS' surprising decision to cancel both series. For the past four years, CBS has aired all threeFBIseries on Tuesdays.FBI: Most Wantedfeatures the Fugitive Task Force, which goes after dangerous criminals who have gone on the run, whileFBI: Internationalis about the elite Fly Team, which handles international crimes that affect the United States. Shockingly, both shows became the latestseries that CBS has canceledfor the 2025-2026 TV season, even though they are among the network’s most popular offerings.
CBS recently announced that it had greenlit a new spinoff,FBI: CIA, which led to widespread speculation that one of the other spinoffs would be shown the door, as there would not be room on the schedule for all four to air in one night. While there are several reasonswhy CBS canceledFBI: InternationalandFBI:Most Wanted,the decision has upset the shows' large fanbases. However, not all hope is lost, as producer Dick Wolf has a long history with NBC that could perhaps get the two spinoffs saved.
FBI: Most Wanted & International Cancelation By CBS Explained
Both Shows Will End Permanently In May 2025
CBS' stated reason for canceling these two shows is that their ratings have taken a significant dip since the shortened 2024 season (viaTVLine).Both shows have lost about 10% of their viewers from last year, averaging only 6.5 million viewers per episode. Since several other shows are higher-rated, it makes economic sense for CBS to cancel these two series. Furthermore, the network needed to make room forFBI: CIAon its schedule in the fall, so at least one of theFBIshows was likely to be canceled or moved to streaming-only status.
FBI: Most Wanted Season 7 - Cancelation & Everything We Know
The popular spinoff FBI: Most Wanted returned for its sixth season in late 2024, but CBS has canceled the series before its seventh.
That said, CBS' cancellation of these shows is frustrating for several reasons. Each show has a strongly loyal fanbase, making this situation similar toCBS' disappointing decision to cancelBlue Bloodsdespite its popularity. Additionally,FBI: Most Wanted’s Nina Chase is raising a child withFBI’s Stuart Scola, and there is not yet any news on how that relationship will be handled now that Nina’s show is wrapping up.FBI: Internationalgot a new head of the Fly Team this season, which seems pointless now that the show is ending after his first year on it.
Why NBC Is The Best Network To Save Dick Wolf’s Canceled FBI Shows
The Entertainment Giant Already Has Two Successful Franchises On The Network
TheFBIfranchise is produced by Dick Wolf Entertainment, which also produces theOne Chicagoshowsand theLaw and Orderfranchise. All of the shows in theOne Chicagofranchise have been on for over a decade, whileLaw & OrderandLaw & Order: SVUboth have over 20 years' worth of shows under their belts. Thus, while Dick Wolf Entertainment has occasionally had a show that failed, it has one of the strongest track records in the business, meaningNBC may be willing to take a chance on the canceledFBIshows.
NBC could thus make up for its previous inability to broadcastFBIby adopting the two canceled spinoffs.
Interestingly, the only reason NBC passed onFBIseven years ago is that there wasn’t space in its schedule that year (viaTHR). NBC could thus make up for its previous inability to broadcastFBIby adopting the two canceled spinoffs. NBC also has the option of using these spinoffs to bolster interest in its Peacock streaming service by making one or both a streaming-only series, as it has done with two of its scripted series —Law & Order: Organized CrimeandDays of Our Lives.
What Are The Chances Of NBC Saving FBI: Most Wanted & International
Finding Room In Its Schedule For Two Shows May Be Challenging
The biggest impediment to NBC taking these shows on is the same one that stopped it from greenlightingFBIin the first place: finding room in its schedule.It isn’t easy to find a two-hour block free in NBC’s schedule— additionally, its primetime lineup will look differently in the fall, as some shows will be canceled and others will be airing for the first time. However, there are likely ways to make this work.
FBI: International Season 5 - Cancelation & Everything We Know
Despite being one of the most popular TV franchises on the air today, CBS has opted to cancel FBI: International and its sister series, Most Wanted.
Currently,Mondays seem like the best bet for the twoFBIshows.NBC’s Spring 2025 decision to airThe Voiceat 7 pm ET instead of 8 PM ET could potentially open up a two-hour block after the singing competition show.The Hunting Partyis not likely to be renewed, but if it is, it could be moved to Tuesday to make room forFBI: Most WantedandFBI: International.
7- 9 pm
9 pm - 10 pm
10 pm - 11 pm
That said,ifBrilliant Minds,The Irrational,andFoundare all renewed, NBC would need to find a placefor them, and the final hours of Monday and Tuesday seem to be the only free spots. Wednesdays and Thursdays are taken up withOne Chicagoand theLaw and Orderfranchise, plusFound, and Fridays are not possible because ofDateline NBC. Thus, if NBC wants to take on theFBIshows, it likely will have to pass on one or more of these other dramas.
Can FBI: Most Wanted & International Land On A Streaming Platform Instead?
NBC Owns Peacock And Is Already Experimenting With Using It For Network TV
The Peacock streaming service could help NBC sidestep scheduling issues.Shows that are exclusive to Peacock simply need to be made available on the streamer on a given day of the week; the audience can then watch anytime after release that is convenient for them. NBC has already begun exploring this possibility. It successfully moved its sole surviving soap opera,Days of Our Lives,to streaming-only in 2022 and will also streamLaw & Order: Organized Crimeseason 5beginning in April 2025.
Since CBS already canceledFBI: Most WantedandFBI International, it’s not likely its streaming platform will take the series on.
CBS also has a streaming service, Paramount+, that has had some successful original series, such asThe Good Fight,1923, andCriminal Minds: Evolution. However, since CBS already canceledFBI: Most WantedandFBI International, it’s not likely its streaming platform will take the series on. NBC might be more open to it, as this would allow it to stream all current Dick Wolf shows on Peacock except the originalFBI.
