S.W.A.T. has run out of lives. CBS has canceled the police drama starring Shemar Moore, now in its eighth season that will wrap in May.
If you are having a case of déjà vu, that is because, following a string of early renewals, S.W.A.T. was dramatically canceled in May 2023 after six seasons, only for CBS to reverse the decision days later with a pickup of what was announced at the time as a seventh and final season. Flash-forward to May 2024 when S.W.A.T. surprisingly was renewed for an eighth season.
Don't expect another miraculous reprieve; this time the decision is believed to be final — and permanent.
During the past two years, S.W.A.T. lead studio Sony Pictures Television was able to propose financial terms that were appealing to CBS, sealing eleventh-hour pickups. This time, CBS did not engage in renewal talks, opting instead to end the long-running series outright.
This is the third high-profile drama cancellation at the network this week, following the axing of FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International. All three come from outside studios, Sony TV and Universal Television.
Production costs must have been a major consideration, otherwise it makes no sense. Even this season the individual weekly ratings have been great, almost all of them have been from 7.9 to 8.2. Maybe if the actors want to keep their jobs they should consider staying at the rate of money they are getting, otherwise why would the network keep a show where they don't make any money?
Just get too expensive?