S.W.A.T. Gets Axed — Again
CBS officially dropped S.W.A.T. for the third time in March 2025, ending its eight-season, 163-episode runen.wikipedia.org+15decider.com+15hellomagazine.com+15justjared.com+4cbr.com+4collider.com+4cinemablend.com. Even strong ratings—averaging over 8 million viewers per episode—weren’t enough to keep it on air . Industry insiders pointed to shifting licensing costs, strategic scheduling, and CBS’s decision not to pursue further negotiations as reasons behind the third cancellation .
Shemar Moore’s Emotional Statement
In an Instagram video, Shemar Moore shared raw emotion as he told the cast and crew:
“We are canceled, again… it sucks.” noticias.network+15decider.com+15nypost.com+15
Moore paid heartfelt tribute to his team and the show’s legacy, describing the moment he had to break the news as “sad” and “heartbreaking” .
“I Ain’t Done Yet” — A Bold Declaration
Moore didn’t let the cancellation silence him. He proclaimed,
“I ain’t done yet.”
“Hey Netflix, how you doing?… So, Netflix, if you’re interested… we’d love to come play.”people.com+7decider.com+7justjared.com+7
He reminded Netflix of how quickly S.W.A.T. surged to #1 on its platform — in just two weeks, and stayed in the Top 10 for up to nine months people.com+15hellomagazine.com+15parade.com+15.
A Nationwide Invitation
Not stopping at Netflix, Moore extended an olive branch to other networks:
“NBC, Fox, ABC, hey, you want to come flirt with me? You’re invited to the barbecue. Pick your favorite restaurant. I will pay the bill.” justjared.com+4hellomagazine.com+4cbr.com+4
He emphasized his role not only as lead actor, but as executive producer, emphasizing the show’s value and entertainment pedigree .
S.W.A.T.’s Streaming Dominance
Moore highlighted the show’s Netflix performance: it quickly climbed from #15 to #1, maintaining top rankings for months . This demonstrates S.W.A.T.’s massive streaming appeal — a key selling point for a revival.
Cast, Crew & Executive Reactions
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Executive producer Shawn Ryan called the news “heartbreaking”justjared.com+3decider.com+3en.wikipedia.org+3.
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Showrunner Andrew Dettmann echoed his sadness and pride in the team’s workpeople.com+2people.com+2nypost.com+2.
History of Combacks
S.W.A.T. proved it can beat cancellation: once after Season 6 and again after Season 7. Moore attributes this to fan support and his own advocacy .
Why CBS Pulled the Plug
Even with solid ratings, disputes over licensing fees and shifting costs between CBS and Sony Pictures TV became the breaking point noticias.network+12people.com+12nypost.com+12. CBS’s decision not to negotiate this time around left the show without support .
Moore’s Rallying Cry to Fans
Shemar launched a Change.org petition urging networks and streaming platforms to step in. It quickly gathered tens of thousands of signatures, showing how deeply fans care cinemablend.com+14parade.com+14justjared.com+14.
What’s Next — Spinoff & Hope for Revival
Sony quickly greenlit S.W.A.T. Exiles, a 10-episode spinoff starring Moore, refocusing on Hondo training a new generation nypost.com+15en.wikipedia.org+15cinemablend.com+15.
Moore said of the new project:
“We entertained the world, defied the odds… WE DON’T LOSE!!!! ROLL SWAT!!!”cbr.com+5people.com+5people.com+5collider.com+1nypost.com+1
While Exiles keeps the franchise alive, Moore remains determined to bring back the original series through a streaming partner.
Conclusion — This Isn’t Over Yet
Shemar Moore’s response to S.W.A.T.’s cancellation isn’t resignation — it’s a battle cry. With ratings, fan support, and streaming success on his side, he’s positioning the show for a comeback.
His words: “I ain’t done yet” echo louder than any cancellation notice. If fighters get knocked down and rise again, S.W.A.T. just might do the same — under Moore’s leadership.
❓ FAQs
Q1: Has S.W.A.T. been saved before?
Yes—it’s been canceled twice and revived, thanks to fan and cast advocacypeople.com+12people.com+12decider.com+12.
Q2: Where can I stream S.W.A.T.?
Seasons 1–7 are on Netflix and Prime Video; Season 8 is on Paramount+ people.com.
Q3: What exactly did Moore say to Netflix?
He said: “Hey Netflix, how you doing?… in a short time, we went to #1… we’d love to come play.”people.com+7hellomagazine.com+7justjared.com+7
Q4: Will S.W.A.T. return?
A spinoff (Exiles) is in development, and Moore is actively campaigning for a revival of the original via streaming .
Q5: Why did CBS end S.W.A.T. if ratings were strong?
Despite solid viewership, CBS dropped the show due to licensing fee disputes and strategic shifts in programmingpeople.com.
