CBS Crime Series S.W.A.T. (2017) Canceled Again

CBS has canceled the 2017 police drama S.W.A.T. starring Shemar Moore, now in its eighth season. If you’re experiencing déjà vu, it’s because S.W.A.T. (2017), after a series of early renewals, was dramatically canceled in May 2023 after six seasons. CBS reversed the decision a few days later, airing what was then announced as a seventh and final season. Flash forward to May 2024 and S.W.A.T. (2017) was surprisingly renewed for an eighth season.



Don't expect another miraculous reprieve; this time the decision is believed to be final - and permanent.

For the past two years, S.W.A.T. (2017) studio Sony Pictures Television was able to offer financial terms that were attractive to CBS, resulting in a last-minute renewal. This time around, CBS has not pursued renewal talks, opting to end the long-running series altogether.

This is the third high-profile drama series to be canceled on the network this week, following the cancellation of FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International . All three hail from outside studios, Sony TV and Universal Television.

Drama cancellations were inevitable this year, as CBS has already reserved two drama slots on next season’s schedule for new series Sheriff Country, a spinoff of Fire Country, and Boston Blue, an expansion of the Blue Bloods universe. There are also potential spinoffs of FBI and The Equalizer in the works, as well as drama pilot Einstein starring Matthew Gray Gubler.

A massive renewal last month left the FBI spinoffs S.W.A.T. (2017) and The Equalizer on the list of potential canceled series. Of the four, only Universal TV’s The Equalizer remains standing, with talks ongoing for a sixth and possibly final season. CBS Studios’ Watson has only been on the air for a few weeks but looks promising for renewal.

As sources reported at the time of the renewals, S.W.A.T. (2017) was an obvious candidate for cancellation given its history, as it has a lower rating than the other dramas on this year's cancel list, including the FBI spinoffs. But it's still been a solid performer with the thankless task of keeping viewers in on Friday nights.

“It’s heartbreaking news, primarily because it’s been such an immense pleasure working with this cast and crew to put out a show that we’ve always been proud of,” S.W.A.T. executive producer/showrunner Andrew Dettmann said. “They are truly an extraordinary group of people who have all worked so hard and have been so dedicated for all these eight seasons, overcoming countless challenges. I can’t give them enough credit. I feel so privileged to have been a part of the S.W.A.T. family.”