Poor decision making at CBS leads to NCIS: Hawaii's cancellation

Well, NCIS fans, CBS has finally handed down word that NCIS: Hawai'i won't be moving forward with a fourth season like we hoped. For those paying attention to the amount of show's the network had already greenlit versus the allotted slots on the schedule this is a move that doesn't come as a surprise. Nonetheless it's incredibly disappointing.

Not only is the Vanessa Lachey-led procedural the first series in the franchise led by a woman, it also wasn't doing poorly in the ratings. Deadline reports the program was the #12 most watched non-sports program for broadcast. In fact, it's been doing better week-to-week than FBI: Most Wanted, FBI: International, and S.W.A.T.--all of which have been renewed and the last show's renewal came as a surprise as it was supposed to end in May.

Reportedly the decision to cancel NCIS: Hawaii came down to its expense. Though there's been word that the producers were willing to take a "massive" budget cut to ensure the show's future for at least a fourth and final season, it was still considered to be too expensive to move forward. This is for two reasons: it was uncertain whether the series would become a global hit and therefore make money internationally and CBS' parent company Paramount Global is preparing sell and needs to balance its budget in the short-term.

Any other year and this wouldn't have mattered but CBS' programming slate is outperforming which means its not just ratings that are being factored in, the overall roster is. If you've noticed, the network has not only been greenlighting series for renewal, they've also handed out series orders and have to launch benched programs--Matlock and Poppa's House--in the 2024-2025 television season as well. This moment of abundance has peaked and something has had to give.

Unfortunately, NCIS: Hawaii is a series that has fallen through the cracks. The expansion of its franchise didn't help matters as it is part of the reason for the show's demise. NCIS: Sydney did better than expected on broadcast and got picked up for a season 2. NCIS: Origins, a prequel series about young Gibbs, has been the talk of fandom and will debut in the fall. And production on the yet to be named Tiva NCIS spin-off for Paramount+ is set to begin in Europe over the summer. Add the flagship's renewal and you've got four shows in this franchise filming at one time.

A fifth series from the same franchise going into production as the company balances its sheet became untenable. Though why they were all primed to start production in the same television year is unclear particularly when CBS' roster became packed. It's no secret that the network has an embarrassment of riches. Its programming tends to outperform the competition but with a stable of proven winners, including NCIS: Hawaii, fans can't help but be frustrated with decisions that have led to cancellations like this one that have nothing to do with the quality of the series or its performance.

The likelihood of Paramount+ picking up the show is low considering the streamer has NCIS: Sydney and the Tiva spin-off. Also, again Paramount Global needs to balance its sheet. Not to mention, one would assume that the news it would be moving to a new platform would have come hand-in-hand with its cancellation at CBS. We'll keep you posted if the show does get a new home but as it stands NCIS: Hawaii will end on May 6.