Stop us if you’ve heard this one: SWAT has been canceled by CBS but it may not be the end of the hit show!
In the weirdest case of deja vu, CBS announced that SWAT has been canceled and will be ending at the end of its current eighth season. As fans know, this isn’t the first time the ax has fallen on the show. The first was in 2023, when CBS canceled the show after production on Season 6 had wrapped, meaning they couldn’t craft a proper finale.
CBS reversed its SWAT cancellation the first time
The huge outcry over that led to CBS quickly reversing their decision to renew SWAT for a 13-episode seventh season. That was put off by the 2023 Hollywood strikes before premiering in early 2024. It was clear the producers intended for this to wrap up the show.
Which was why it was so surprising that CBS renewed the show for an eighth season. It’s still been a good ratings winner but it looks like the third time is going to be the “charm” for its axing.
However, Shemar Moore isn’t giving up! The actor who stars as Hondo posted a six-minute video on Instagram pushing for someone else to pick up the show.
“We defied the odds and we made a hit television show that the world loved to watch. So, I say to CBS, if you’re done — I know it’s about money, optics, politics — I don’t think you’re making the right choice.”
It’s a bold cry for Moore and could it pay off?
Can SWAT be saved?
TVLine reported that SWAT’s ratings have been rougher this year with an average of 4.9 million viewers, down 20% from season 7. In fact, it’s last in the ratings of the 14 dramas aired on CBS this season, which was no doubt a key reason for its cancellation (not helped by moving into the 10 p.m. Friday slot once occupied by Blue Bloods).
Another network stepping in can be tricky as a show that’s run for eight seasons is a bigger risk to pick up than one that’s run shorter. The faltering ratings are also a factor, so ABC and NBC may decide that SWAT has run its course.
Netflix could be an option, as the series has done well with previous seasons on the streamer. Still, there’s a big difference between enjoying reruns of a past network hit and financing an entire year with cast members that command high salaries, not to mention the budget for the big action sequences.
There can be hopes as SWAT has beaten the odds twice before so just maybe they have one more miracle renewal left in them. We can hope this isn’t truly the end of the road for this amazing crime drama!
SWAT airs Fridays at 10/9c on CBS.