The Uncertain Future of S.W.A.T. at CBS
Now in its eighth season, S.W.A.T. is the second longest-running scripted series currently on CBS. However, the network has not yet confirmed whether this will be its final season.
“It’s been called the final season the last three or four seasons, hasn’t it?” S.W.A.T. executive producer Shawn Ryan remarked in a recent interview with Deadline, referring to the unpredictable renewal history of the show.
The last two seasons of S.W.A.T. were at one point considered to be its last. Following a series of early renewals, CBS abruptly canceled the police drama starring Shemar Moore in May 2023 after six seasons, only to reverse the decision days later, greenlighting a seventh and final season. Fast-forward to May 2024, and the show was unexpectedly renewed for an eighth season.
Is There Hope for a Season 9?
Ryan, who served as S.W.A.T.’s showrunner before Andrew Dettmann took over in Season 7, remains cautiously optimistic about the show’s future.
“The show is beloved by CBS executives and our audience. Creatively, I’m happy to say that it hasn’t lost a step since I handed the reins to Andy Dettmann,” Ryan said. “But with the corporate changes happening, we don’t know what the renewal criteria will be.”
CBS is undergoing an ownership shift, with David Ellison’s Skydance in the process of acquiring Paramount Global, CBS’s parent company. Ryan, who previously collaborated with Ellison on a Without Remorse adaptation for Paramount Pictures and Skydance, admits that he is uncertain about what impact these changes will have on S.W.A.T.’s future.
“I don’t know the plans or how different the renewal process will be this year. Economics will play a role, but we’re just going to keep making the best show possible and see where things land,” Ryan added.
The Role of Sony TV in S.W.A.T.’s Fate
S.W.A.T. is produced by Sony Pictures Television, an independent studio, in partnership with CBS Studios. This outside production status has influenced renewal negotiations in the past.
In 2023, Deadline reported that the show’s cancellation after six seasons was due to a dispute over the episode order, which impacted Sony TV’s financial model. However, Sony TV has also been credited with structuring deals that made it difficult for CBS to walk away, keeping the show on air while maintaining production in Los Angeles—an increasingly rare feat.
Will CBS and Sony TV Strike Another Deal?
Sources indicate that renewal discussions between CBS and Sony TV have yet to begin. When talks commence, factors such as production costs, network economics, and corporate restructuring will play a significant role in determining whether S.W.A.T. gets a ninth season.
For now, fans can only wait and hope that S.W.A.T. will continue beyond Season 8. Ryan and the creative team are dedicated to delivering compelling episodes that resonate with audiences, regardless of the uncertainty surrounding the show’s future.
Stay tuned for more updates as CBS finalizes its renewal decisions.
