CBS' latest announcement to replaceBlue Bloodswith another popular network TV show is bittersweet news. After more than a decade on the air, CBS decided to cancelBlue Bloods. AsBlue Bloodsseason 14is still airing, with a few more episodes left in its run, there are a few things that still need to happen before the show ends, but time is running out for the beloved police drama. Hence why the network has made moves to replace it in its lineup.
Blue Bloodshas followed the Reagan familyfor 14 years and has consistently been a widely popular and well-written show. It puts a unique spin on the police procedural by following a specific family. While CBS' replacement forBlue Bloodswill also be a police series, the Reagan family’s drama will be severely missed.DespiteBlue Bloods' popularity, it is still being canceled, which makes me worried about its replacement too.
S.W.A.T. Season 8 Will Replace Blue Bloods On CBS, And It’s A Smart Choice
Following theBlue Bloodsseries finale in December,S.W.A.T.will take over the 10 p.m. ET time slot on January 31st, 2025.S.W.A.T.currently airs at 8 p.m. on Fridays, but the new time slot could lead to more viewers for the already popular show. So far,Blue Bloodsseason 14 has had 4.8 million viewers at 10 p.m. whereasS.W.A.T.has only had an average of 4.2 million in its 8 p.m. slot. AfterBlue Bloodsis canceled, viewers could seek out a new show to watch andS.W.A.T.is the perfect replacement.
TheBlue Bloodsseason 14 finale airs December 13 at 10 p.m. on CBS.
WithBlue Bloodsleaving,S.W.A.T.would also become the only police procedural that airs on Friday evenings on CBS. More attention could be drawn to the show, which could then draw in more viewers. It is also unlikely thatS.W.A.T.’s new CBS time slotwill affect its viewership negatively, as it is still remaining in a highly sought time slot.
While I will miss watchingBlue Bloodsat 10 p.m.,S.W.A.T.also features a close team, which can try and fill the spot inBlue Bloods' absence. It will not be the same, but I have enjoyed watching both shows and I think CBS' decision to replaceBlue BloodswithS.W.A.T.will turn out to be a great decision. There is something special about the 10 p.m. spot continuing to be filled with a police procedural that makesBlue Bloods' replacement at least a little bit less hurtful.
Blue Bloods Was Wrongly Canceled & I Worry S.W.A.T. Will Be Next
S.W.A.T. Has An Unlucky History
Even thoughBlue Bloodshas remained popular over its 14-year run, the network still decided to cancel it as a result of budget cuts. Its wrongful cancelation has even been criticized by theBlue Bloodscast, as an interview withTV Insiderhas revealed thatTom Selleck, who plays Frank Reagan, is frustrated with the show’s cancelation. In the interview, Selleck speaks out howBlue Bloods' was ranked in the top 10 shows of the 2023/2024 season. He also speaks warmly of his costars and how the Reagan family has felt like a family off-screen as well.
SWAT Season 8’s Reverse Cancelation Is Great But Sabotages Hondo’s Personal Life
CBS reversed its decision to cancel the police procedural series SWAT (again), but now that season 8 is on its way, one update is bad news for Hondo.
After watching the Reagan family for years, I am particularly disappointed in the show’s ending becauseBlue Bloodshas become part of a routine for me.Almost every episode has featured a family dinnerand watching those scenes so consistently made me feel like I was sitting in with them and participating as well. Not many police procedurals feature such as a close-knit family unit as the protagonists of the series, soBlue Bloodswas truly unique. Its popularity makes its cancelation even more frustrating and sets a bad precedent forS.W.A.T.
S.W.A.T.’s instability concerns me because ifBlue Bloodswas canceled with excellent views, then it already faces a huge risk with its several reversed cancelations.
The replacement ofBlue Bloodsworries me becauseS.W.A.T.already has a history of cancelations. It was first canceled after its sixth season, but then was renewed for its seventh and final season in 2023. After writing character endings to give eachS.W.A.T.team member the perfect finale, CBS reversed its decision to createS.W.A.T.season 8.S.W.A.T.’s instability concerns me because ifBlue Bloodswas canceled with excellent views, then it already faces a huge risk with its several reversed cancelations.
Is There Hope For S.W.A.T. After Blue Bloods' Cancelation?
Blue Blood’s Cancelation Could Be Good News For S.W.A.T.
There is some hope forS.W.A.T.afterBlue Bloods' cancelation, however. Even thoughS.W.A.T.was canceled twice, it was still renewed each time.Blue Bloods' longevity also means that it was on the air for years before it was ultimately canceled, which givesS.W.A.T.more time and leeway as well. After CBS gave awayBlue Bloods' time slot toS.W.A.T., I would like to see the network nurtureS.W.A.T.and keep it on for some time before ending it, otherwise, the time change would not make much sense.
Blue Bloods' longevity also means that it was on the air for years before it was ultimately canceled, which givesS.W.A.T.more time and leeway as well.
With CBS canceling a long-running show, it also gives them the potential to moveBlue Bloods' funding ontoS.W.A.T.With 10 p.m. being a popular television spot, CBS would not put just any show there without it promising some sort of reinvestment for the network. I hope thatBlue Bloods' cancelation has some benefit come out of it, and an increased focus onS.W.A.T.could be just what CBS needs.
Blue Bloods
Cast
Blue Bloods is a television drama series that follows the Reagan family, a family of law enforcement officers in New York City. Led by Police Commissioner Frank Reagan, the series explores familial and professional dynamics as they navigate police work and politics, guided by their patriarch, the former Chief, Henry Reagan.
