With Blue Bloods officially ending after Season 14, many viewers wondered whether CBS could find a project strong enough to carry on the legacy of the long-running family–police drama. Then Boston Blue emerged as the perfect answer: younger, more flexible, and—most importantly—far more cost-effective for the network than producing Blue Bloods Season 15.
Below is a breakdown of why Boston Blue is considered a financially smart move for CBS— and why it matters for the future of police dramas on network television.
1. The Blue Bloods cast has become extremely expensive
One of the biggest factors behind Blue Bloods’ rising budget was the increasing salaries of its veteran cast, especially Tom Selleck.
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Tom Selleck was reportedly earning $200,000–$250,000 per episode
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Other lead cast members also held long-term contracts with regularly increasing pay
With a series that ran 14 seasons, salary inflation was inevitable.
Had Blue Bloods entered Season 15, production costs would have surged—far beyond what CBS could reasonably expect to recoup.
In contrast, Boston Blue begins with new contracts and a younger roster, giving CBS much more financial flexibility.
2. A younger cast means more manageable payroll
Boston Blue centers on rising talent rather than long-established TV stars. Without A-list salaries like those of the Reagan family actors, CBS can maintain a cost structure that is:
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Stable
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Negotiable
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Not forced into steep increases every season
This leads to a healthier profit margin for a long-term series—something Blue Bloods could no longer provide.
3. Production is less expensive outside New York City
Blue Bloods filmed in New York City—one of the most expensive locations in the world for television production:
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High location fees
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Costly permits
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Security requirements
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Crew living expenses
Meanwhile, Boston Blue can leverage diverse locations at significantly lower costs while still maintaining an urban police-drama aesthetic.
4. A brand-refresh allows CBS to save on marketing
CBS wanted to preserve the successful family + police formula but needed a show that wouldn’t drain their budget.
Boston Blue lets the network:
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Retain the themes and tone fans love
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Launch a fresh marketing campaign at a lower cost
Promoting Blue Bloods Season 15 would have required a large marketing push to reignite enthusiasm.
Boston Blue, on the other hand, generates buzz naturally thanks to:
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Its fresh premise
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Younger cast
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Ongoing recast drama that’s been circulating online
This results in free publicity—something every network loves.
5. More creative flexibility = lower long-term costs
Blue Bloods was built around the Reagan family structure, limiting how far the story could expand without major disruptions.
Boston Blue is the opposite:
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Characters can be added or removed easily
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Storylines can shift direction at low cost
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Writers can adjust to budget requirements
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Themes can expand into politics, crime, mental health, community drama, and more
A show capable of adapting is always more financially sustainable.
6. The modern TV landscape demands lower costs
With traditional TV ratings dropping each year, major networks must:
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Reduce expenses
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Optimize production
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Focus on shows with strong international distribution potential
Boston Blue is perfectly aligned with this strategy.
CBS can invest less while retaining the loyal Blue Bloods audience—then gradually build new viewers over time.
It’s a low-risk, high-reward approach.
7. Higher potential to attract new viewers
New series naturally draw younger audiences more easily than long-running shows.
This is crucial for CBS as it works to expand its viewer base and secure long-term profitability.
Conclusion: Boston Blue Is CBS’s Smart Financial Move
While fans may still mourn the end of Blue Bloods, CBS clearly made the right decision.
Boston Blue offers:
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Lower production costs
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Smaller financial risks
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Greater growth potential
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A refreshed extension of the police-drama brand
Most importantly, it allows CBS to maintain dominance in the procedural drama space—without paying tens of millions annually for a series that had already passed its peak.
