After managing to survive for two extra seasons,S.W.A.T.is being canceled for a third time by CBS, and it’s curious if there’s a chance that another platform can pick it up. The crime drama has been on air since 2017 and has previously experienced two cancelations before being renewed one season at a time. However, it seems as thoughS.W.A.T.may finally end as CBS is not budging on the issue of its renewal.
S.W.A.T.season 8was already in an uncomfortable situation after CBS announced that season 7 would be the last one for the procedural before changing its mind again. As a result, season 8 saw several characters leave and awkward storylines because they had already received a proper ending in the prior season. The proceduralhas managed to fix some of its storylines, but now with thecancelation ofS.W.A.T.season 9, there is only so much more they can do. However, severalS.W.A.T.cast members are still holding onto hope that the show can be savedwith the right decision.
CBS Canceled SWAT For The Third & Likely Final Time
CBS Can’t Seem To Make Up Its Mind
S.W.A.T.’s season 9 cancelationis not as disappointing as it should be becauseCBS has already set a precedent withpulling the plug on it. The network originally canceled the show after season 6, announcing that there would be no more seasons for the highly popular police show. However, only a few days later, it reversed its decision and renewedS.W.A.T.for a seventh and supposedly final season. AfterS.W.A.T.had written satisfying endings for its characters, CBS changed its mind again and renewedS.W.A.T.for season 8.
Dear CBS, Now You Know Why Canceling Blue Bloods Was A Mistake After Its Replacement Failed To Meet Expectations
CBS canceled Blue Bloods after 14 seasons, which is proving to be a mistake, given the fate of the police procedural show’s replacement.
Now CBS has announcedS.W.A.T.’s cancelation again, and this time, the decision is allegedly final. However, it is hard to trust them. CBS has canceled and renewedS.W.A.T.so many times that I would not be surprised if they renewed it again only to cancel it in the next season.To have so many back-and-forth decisions in such a short span of time is frustratingfor a major network. It is a beloved show, which makes its continued cancelation even more annoying sinceS.W.A.T.was supposed to beBlue Bloods' replacementand just followed the latter’s fate instead.
Shemar Moore Asks Other Networks Or Streamers To Save SWAT
Moore Appeals To His Instagram Followers
Among the disappointed people following CBS' decision to cancelS.W.A.T.again is Shemar Moore, who has played the show’s lead, Hondo, since its premiere in 2017. As one of the main characters onS.W.A.T.,Moore has been vocal about his continued disappointment with CBS' changing decisions. However, he has expressed his gratitude too, as the network has been a major factor in his career as it was also the home ofCriminal Minds, where Moore played Derek.
To express his disappointment,Moore spoke directly to his followers andS.W.A.T.fans via a social media postfollowing the news of its cancelation. In the video, he thanked his fans' continued support and CBS for allowing the show to prosper, but not without emphasizing the mistake CBS is making with their decision. He announced that “the family over at S.W.A.T…. ain’t done chasing bad guys.” Moore’s love forS.W.A.T.and his disappointment at its cancelation were made immensely clear in the video.
After trying to appeal to his home network, Moore moved on to speak to other broadcasters and streaming services, including NBC, Fox, and Netflix. Shows have switched networks or streaming services before, so it is possible thatS.W.A.T.could do the same thing. Besides appealing emotionally,Moore also emphasizedS.W.A.T.’s success in ratingsand popularity and how well-loved the show is. It is too early to tell whether the show will be saved, but Moore put his all into his video, which has gone viral since it was first posted.
Can Any Of The Networks Or Streamers Really Pick Up SWAT After Its Cancelation
SWAT Has Good Ratings On Its Side
While it is not as common,shows have been picked up by other networks and streaming services after they have been dropped.9-1-1is a popular example of a procedural show that switched networks. Originally a Fox production,9-1-1moved to ABC after Fox canceled it in 2023. Another dramatic series that switched networks wasDesignated Survivor, which moved from ABC to Netflix.S.W.A.T.could reasonably follow the same pattern.
CBS has canceled and renewedS.W.A.T.so many times that I would not be surprised if they renewed it again only to cancel it in the next season.
GivenS.W.A.T.’s loyal base, both as a network TV show and as a show available to watch via streaming, it could be a great idea to have the show switch producers and keep churning out seasons. The show has maintained its popularity even after the two prior cancelations, sowhoever picks upS.W.A.T.almost has a guaranteed audience. The only question now is if it’s going to be enough for the business side of the industry.
What Is The Best Future For SWAT After Its Time On CBS?
It Might Be Better To Quit While They Are Ahead
Because of Moore’s appeal and the overall success ofS.W.A.T., the procedural has great potential to be saved by another network or streaming service, but that might not be the best option.S.W.A.T.could follow the path of9-1-1and switch networksand remain a well-loved popular show. It could also move to direct streaming, but each case risks losing what madeS.W.A.T.so special in the first place.
WhenS.W.A.T.was canceled for the second time in season 7, the show’s writers were given enough notice to write near-perfect endings for eachcharacter. This gave theS.W.A.T.family closure, but it also backfired when CBS broughtS.W.A.T.back for season 8 and the writers had to backtrack some of their storylines to fit within the new season. Now thatCBS has canceledS.W.A.T.season 8 with just a few episodes left in the show, this once again gives the writers a chance to give everyone proper closure, but it should be final this time.
I Love SWAT, But I’m Ready To Let The Show Go After Its Third Cancelation
CBS has canceled S.W.A.T. (again), meaning season 8 is poised to be the show’s last, but that isn’t stopping Shemar Moore from trying to save it.
IfS.W.A.T.keeps moving back and forth between cancelations and renewals and different networks, it is just delaying the inevitable final cancelation of the show.S.W.A.T.is currently in a great place with amazing storylines and a fantastic team. If the writers gave the characters closure now only to have them return inS.W.A.T.season 9with a different network, once again they would have betrayed the characters. It might be best to leave the show as it is and accept season 8 as the final ending rather than risk seeingS.W.A.T.ruined in later seasons.
