NCIS: Hawaii update deals major blow to save the show campaign efforts

We're slipping further into the summer but that doesn't mean we're over NCIS: Hawaii's cancellation. The hit procedural was a draw for CBS, however, this didn't stop the network from ending the series prematurely. Since news broke that the show wouldn't be back for a fourth season, fans have been rallying to save it.

Of course, save the show campaigns are par for the course for TV lovers. Each television year we hold our breath waiting to hear whether our favorite shows are renewed. And if they aren't, many fans turn their heartbreak and hurt into action. Sometimes, due to the specific circumstances surrounding a show's cancellation, it works and the show is saved. Others, that's unfortunately not the case no matter how many people sign petitions, put up billboards, or launch social media campaigns to be as loud as possible about the importance of the show that's been yanked from the line-up.

Thanks to Deadline's interview with CBS Studios President David Stapf, it looks like NCIS: Hawaii could fall in the latter category unless there's a major change. When speaking about the procedural's cancellation along with So Help Me Todd and CSI: Vegas, Stapf had the following to say:

"[I]t’s bittersweet, I love those shows a lot, so it was tough. I understood and sympathized with how difficult a decision it was to say goodbye to those. It’s always sad, and those shows were great. Probably any other year, they would have stuck around but there’s just not as many midseason slots anymore."

He was referring to the fact that CBS has a packed roster for the 2024-2025 TV season with much of its programming having full season orders making it impossible to squeeze in shortened seasons for all three shows. This would explain why NCIS: Hawaii was canceled even after a fourth and final season that would have undergone major budget cuts was floated.

It also wasn't clear whether CBS Studios had attempted to find the canceled programs new homes but, according to the outlet, the studio did shop the shows but to no avail. This revelation has shed new light on the situation regarding NCIS: Hawaii's future. While we don't know which networks or streamers the studio shopped the show to, the fact that it's already been done and they had no takers means there's little road left for the series to continue on.

This, however, doesn't mean that the save the show campaign will end. It might simply add fuel to the fire as there is an established fan base for NCIS: Hawaii that wants more of it, particularly after that cliffhanger in the finale. One of the central concerns though was whether the series would prove to be a global success and moneymaker. With Paramount Global's pending sale they weren't given the time to see.

But if I were to throw an idea into the ring, it'd be getting the procedural licensed to Netflix. The only show from the NCIS franchise on the platform is the flagship series. If the Hawaii iteration of the franchise's proven formula is a runaway hit, perhaps it could have another shot at getting placed as a Paramount+ original or becoming an addition to Netflix's roster.

We already know CBS is open to licensing their shows to the streamer. Fire Country season 1 is coming to Netflix in August. So, hopefully, the powers that be decide to test the waters by giving NCIS: Hawaii a second life on the streamer and, from there, the road to a return or maybe even a revival (it happened for Criminal Minds!) could become clearer.

Stay tuned to Hidden Remote for more news and coverage.