CBS Just Un-Canceled S.W.A.T. Because Of Fan Backlash
After fans were outraged that CBS unceremoniously canceled S.W.A.T., the series has been renewed for a final season.
With the recent cancelation of the True Lies reboot series, it seems many networks have been willing to give shows the ax despite concerns from fans. It seems that one network may be afraid of lost subscribers, as fans of the recently-canceled hit CBS crime drama S.W.A.T. seem to have gotten their calls answered. According to a recent Deadline article, CBS has decided to bring back S.W.A.T. for a 7th season after an unceremonious cancellation.
CBS Entertainment’s President Amy Reisenbach and Sony Pictures Television Studios President Katherine Pope recently released a joint statement about the reversal. In the statement, they confirmed that they’d reached an agreement to renew S.W.A.T. for a 7th and final 13-episode season set to air during the 2023-2024 broadcast year. They referenced fans’ “outpouring of passion” and the show’s “devoted following” as key factors in bringing back the series for a final season.
They also mentioned that they would like to “give closure to the show’s storylines and characters,” that they “appreciate the talents and efforts of the cast, writers, producers and crew and everyone who has contributed to the success of S.W.A.T.,” and that they “look forward to its return next season.”
After failing to be renewed in February, S.W.A.T.’s fate had been sitting in purgatory while negotiations about season 6 between CBS and lead studio Sony Pictures Television stalled out due to differences in terms of budget and pricing and how that would impact production in the long run. This eventually led to the recent announcement that the show had been canceled, much to the shock of viewers, cast, and crew. As is hinted at in the joint statement, many crew members felt the cancelation was abrupt, with some of them seeing it as a slap in the face to their hard work.
Star Shemar Moore, in particular, recently posted a scathing Instagram reel calling out the network for the show’s cancellation. In his post, Moore, who plays series lead Sergeant II Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson, touted S.W.A.T.’s popularity and alluded to the idea that the motives behind the series’ cancelation were based on money and profit. The post served as a rallying cry, as many fans of the series and fellow crew members came out in opposition to the show’s cancelation as well. Maybe uncoincidentally, Shemar Moore has been added as an executive producer for the series’ final season.
Many fans have been endeared to S.W.A.T. over its six-season run on CBS, with its first season averaging 9.8 million viewers. Created by Aaron Rahsaan Thomas and Shawn Ryan and based on the 1975 television series of the same name, the series chronicles the day-to-day of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.) unit as they tackle intertwining issues like crime, poverty, police corruption, and others in their L.A. community.
S.W.A.T. will air its two-part finale this beginning this week on Friday, May 12, with the final episode airing next week on Friday, May 19. For fans of the series, this is a reminder that studios do sometimes listen to audiences’ fervor when there is enough momentum and money involved.
