There’s definitely been a trend of long-running shows getting the boot.
Something is in the air right now. Networks have taken an axe and decided to cut down several shows that otherwise looked primed for renewal. CBS has been the biggest culprit in this regard. It has taken down two of its FBI spinoffs, FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International.
CBS has also canceled SWAT, despite bringing it back from the dead twice. Did we mention that fans are still irate over the network’s decision to end Blue Bloods, despite the fact that a spinoff is in the works? Cancelations have been all the rage over the last few weeks, and One Chicago shows are off the air for the next few weeks. Should we be worried? Could our beloved franchise be next?
One Chicago is in better shape than recently canceled shows
The decision to pause new One Chicago episodes for the majority of March does not quell the fan concern. If anything, it gives us time to stress. There is some good news, though. For one, the titles in the One Chicago franchise are not airing on CBS, which is the network that has been handing out its cancelation notices like candy at Halloween.
NBC has been more selective when it comes to canceling shows outright. One need only look at the fate of Law & Order: Organized Crime, a spinoff that had been underperforming compared to other Law & Order shows. Instead of cancelation, however, the network decided to move Organized Crime to its streaming service, Peacock, so it could continue to release new episodes.
Another reason we feel good about One Chicago shows not being canceled is because there are not plans to launch new spinoffs within the franchise. True, Chicago Fire, Chicago Med and Chicago PD have been on the air for a decade each, which means its more expensive than newer shows.
The franchise continues to draw strong ratings
That being said, NBC has not floated the idea of new spinoffs to take its place. This proved to be the kiss of death for FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International, two shows that actually take place within the same universe as One Chicago.
CBS decided to go in a different direction with the upcoming spinoff FBI: CIA, which will not only feature new characters but will be exponentially cheaper to make. The conditions and circumstances that made cancelation logical for other shows do not apply to One Chicago. Besides, the ratings for all three shows have been strong.
NBC just ran out a One Chicago crossover that did terrific numbers for them in the ratings, and Med has actually seen an uptick in popularity this season, inching up on the number one spot holder, Fire. It’s always healthy to be a bit fearful of cancelation, but as it stands, One Chicago looks to be in pretty good shape.
