Following the cancelations ofFBI: Most WantedandFBI: International, many are holding out hope that other media outlets, like NBC, can save the shows, but it is quite improbable.CBS axed the two police procedurals in early March 2025,which isn’t too surprising. The network has to make some tough decisions while planning its schedule for the 2025–2026 TV season, and, unfortunately,FBI: Most WantedandFBI: Internationaldidn’t make the cut. With highly anticipated spinoffs in the works and other series performing better thantheFBITV shows, canceling them was seemingly a no-brainer for CBS.
FBI: Most Wantedseason 6 is averaging 6.5 million viewers, down 10% from season 5 (perTVLine). Meanwhile,FBI: Internationalseason 4 averages 6.53 million viewers, down 10% from last year. Consequently, both spinoffs rank below seven other CBS dramas during the 2024–2025 season —Tracker,Matlock,FBI,Blue Bloods,NCIS,Elsbeth, andWatson.
The two TV series are spinoffs of the hit police proceduralFBI, which is in the midst of airing its seventh season and was renewed through nine seasons in 2024. So, althoughCBS’FBI: Most WantedandFBI: Internationalare (most likely) ending in the spring of 2025after their respective sixth and fourth seasons,theFBIfranchise lives on through its flagship series.The cancelations ofFBI: Most WantedandFBI: Internationalremain disappointing for many fans, though.
Why NBC Is FBI: Most Wanted & FBI: International’s Best Shot At Being Saved From CBS' Cancelation
Dick Wolf Has Ties To NBC
Since CBS changing its mind and reversingthe cancelations ofFBI: Most WantedandFBI: Internationalis out of the question, one of the two shows' best bets is NBC. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time one network has picked up another network’s TV series. However,this scenario is more likely than others because of Dick Wolf.
Episodes (by the end of the 2024–2025 season)
7
135
Renewed through season 9
6
108
4
78
TBD
In development —FBIseason 7 will reportedly airFBI: CIA’s backdoor pilot in the spring of 2025
TV legend Dick Wolf (the founder of Wolf Entertainment) has connections to both CBS and NBC.Wolf Entertainment produces all threeFBIshowson CBS. Meanwhile, the TV production company is in charge of various series on NBC, includingLaw & Order,Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,Chicago Fire,Chicago PD, andChicago Fire. So, Wolf’s ties to NBC suggest that it’sFBI: Most WantedandFBI: International’s best chance at being saved. However, NBC picking up bothFBIspinoffs is still a shot in the dark.
NBC Is Unlikely To Pick Up FBI: Most Wanted & FBI: International After They Were Canceled
NBC Has Its Own Schedule To Worry About
Even ifDick Wolf wantedFBI: Most WantedandFBI: Internationalto live on via NBC, it’s quite doubtful that the network would take a risk on them because NBC would run into the same problem that led to CBS canceling the spinoffs — a full schedule. As of the writing of this article,NBC has only renewed two shows, includingSt. Denis MedicalandHappy’s Place.However, as May gets closer, the network will start renewing more of its original TV series, quickly limiting the space needed for two extra hour-long dramas.
If NBC can’t pick up new seasons ofFBI: Most WantedandFBI: International, the two police procedurals' last hope is Paramount+.
All threeOne ChicagoTV shows—Chicago Fire,Chicago PD, andChicago Fire— will undoubtedly have slots on NBC’s 2025–2026 programming schedule.As for other series, medical dramaBrilliant Mindswill likely continue following its strong first season,Law & OrderandLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit’s renewals are safe bets, andSuits: LAcould easily score a second season despite its slow start. Meanwhile, shows such asFound,The Irrational,Lopez vs. Lopez, andNight Courtcould continue during the 2025–2026 season. Plus, reality competitions likeThe VoiceandDeal or No Deal Islandwill also find spots on NBC’s schedule.
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NBC also has to consider which pilots (e.g. a comedy from Tina Fey starring Tracy Morgan) it wants to pick up for fall 2025/spring 2026. And it certainly doesn’t help thatthe network made a deal with the NBA to broadcast games during the 2025–2026 season.All of this is to say that NBC probably won’t have room fornew episodes ofFBI: Most WantedandFBI: International.
Can A Streamer Save FBI: Most Wanted & FBI: International?
Paramount+ Could Be The FBI Spinoff’s Last Hope
If NBC can’t pick up new seasons ofFBI: Most WantedandFBI: International, the two police procedurals' last hope is Paramount+. The good news is that this wouldn’t be the first time the streaming service hassaved a CBS TV series (SEAL TeamandEvil). The bad news is thatParamount+ hasn’t made a habit of picking up failed shows.
New episodes ofFBI: Internationalseason 4 air on Tuesdays at 9 pm ET, followed byFBI: Most Wantedseason 6 at 10 pm ET on CBS.
If CBS planned on moving the twoFBIspinoffs to Paramount+, the network would have relayed that in the announcement of their cancelations. Nevertheless, the streaming platform could be the TV series' final chance. Since it’s so unlikely, though, fans shouldn’t get their hopes up and should prepare to say goodbye toFBI: Most WantedandFBI: Internationalin May 2025.
