CBS 2024-2025 Ratings: Which Canceled Shows Are Among the Most-Watched?
Let’s be honest. Nothing stings quite like investing your time and energy into a show—only for it to get canceled out of nowhere. And when that show still pulls in millions of viewers? That just feels wrong. CBS, the long-reigning network titan known for its procedural dramas and household sitcoms, has once again sparked outrage by canceling several shows with surprisingly strong ratings.
In this deep dive, we’ll break down the 2024–2025 CBS ratings, spotlight which canceled shows are secretly thriving in viewership, and uncover the shocking reasons behind their demise.
📺 Why CBS Ratings Still Matter in the Streaming Era
Despite the streaming boom, CBS continues to dominate in linear television viewership. Older demographics, live-event junkies, and loyal audiences mean ratings still weigh heavily in the network’s decision-making process.
So why cancel popular shows? The answer isn’t just in the numbers—it’s in the dollars.
💣 The Most-Watched CBS Shows… That Were Canceled Anyway
Let’s take a look at the standout performers from the 2024–2025 lineup that met the chopping block.
1. NCIS: Hawai’i – Aloha, But Not Goodbye
Average Viewership: 6.2 million weekly
“NCIS: Hawai’i” consistently delivered solid numbers, even beating out some new entries. Fans were shocked when CBS pulled the plug after Season 3. Why?
-
Cost-cutting measures and production location expenses in Hawaii may have outweighed its ratings success.
-
Despite being a franchise spin-off, it lacked the massive licensing power of the original NCIS.
2. So Help Me Todd – A Legal Comedy With Loyal Fans
Average Viewership: 5.5 million weekly
Quirky, charming, and driven by a mother-son duo, “So Help Me Todd” had a steady audience. Viewers rallied online when the cancellation was announced.
-
CBS cited a desire to “refresh the schedule” with newer properties.
-
Ironically, its ratings topped some renewed freshman dramas.
3. CSI: Vegas – Crime Still Pays in Ratings, Just Not Enough
Average Viewership: 5.7 million weekly
You’d think reviving one of CBS’s most iconic franchises would be enough to secure a permanent spot. Not so fast.
-
Though it delivered consistent viewership, it struggled to replicate the cultural phenomenon status of its predecessor.
-
Production costs and syndication complexities likely influenced CBS’s decision.
4. Blue Bloods – The Farewell No One Wanted
Average Viewership: 7.3 million weekly (Final Season)
After 14 seasons, “Blue Bloods” still raked in massive numbers. The Tom Selleck-led family cop drama went out with a bang—against fans’ wishes.
-
High salaries of veteran actors made it a budget-heavy show.
-
CBS framed the cancellation as a way to “end on a high note.”
Still, with those numbers? Some argue it had a few good years left in the tank.
5. East New York – The Underdog with Big Numbers
Average Viewership: 5.9 million weekly
Canceled after just one season, “East New York” pulled in more viewers than many renewed shows. So, what happened?
-
A lack of studio ownership meant CBS didn’t profit as much from the show.
-
Politics behind the scenes reportedly played a role.
📉 Why High Ratings Aren’t Always Enough to Save a Show
Let’s be clear: high ratings are just one piece of a very messy puzzle. Here’s what really goes into CBS’s decision-making process:
💰 Budget Battles and Licensing Nightmares
Big names, exotic locations, and expansive sets come with a hefty price tag. CBS, like most networks, is now laser-focused on cost-efficiency. If a cheaper show gets similar ratings, guess which one stays?
🧠 Creative Control vs. Corporate Ownership
Shows owned by CBS’s parent company (Paramount Global) are favored. It’s all about retaining full control over streaming rights, international sales, and syndication.
If CBS doesn’t own it? That puts it on the chopping block.
🔄 Scheduling Strategy: Making Room for “The Next Big Thing”
Networks want to keep things fresh. Sometimes that means retiring a hit series to make space for a high-risk, high-reward newcomer. It’s a gamble—and it doesn’t always pay off.
🌍 Streaming Plays a Hidden Role
Even if a show does well on TV, CBS now looks closely at Paramount+ performance, online buzz, and digital metrics. If a show doesn’t “trend,” it risks cancellation.
👀 Audience Reactions: Fans Are Not Taking It Lightly
From trending hashtags to online petitions, loyal viewers are fighting back. Social media has erupted in frustration over some of these cancellations.
The message is clear: CBS may be making business-savvy moves, but it’s alienating parts of its core audience in the process.
🏆 The CBS Shows That Beat the Odds
While many popular shows were canceled, others managed to survive despite lower ratings:
-
FBI: International – Renewed despite averaging under 5 million viewers
-
The Equalizer – Continues strong with its devoted fanbase
-
Tracker – The Justin Hartley-led series gained early momentum and a renewal
📊 CBS’s 2024–2025 Top 10 Most-Watched Shows (Canceled & Renewed)
| Rank | Show | Status | Viewership |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blue Bloods | Canceled | 7.3 million |
| 2 | NCIS | Renewed | 7.1 million |
| 3 | Young Sheldon | Ending (Final Season) | 6.9 million |
| 4 | NCIS: Hawai’i | Canceled | 6.2 million |
| 5 | FBI | Renewed | 6.0 million |
| 6 | East New York | Canceled | 5.9 million |
| 7 | CSI: Vegas | Canceled | 5.7 million |
| 8 | So Help Me Todd | Canceled | 5.5 million |
| 9 | FBI: International | Renewed | 4.9 million |
| 10 | Tracker | Renewed | 4.6 million |
💬 What CBS Had to Say About the Controversial Cancellations
CBS has remained tight-lipped about many of these decisions, releasing standard PR lines like “creative direction” and “programming shifts.” But insiders suggest budget pressure, ownership concerns, and streaming priorities played a larger role than CBS lets on.
🛠 What Can Be Done? Can Fan Campaigns Reverse CBS Decisions?
There’s precedent. Shows like “Jericho” and even “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (NBC) saw revivals after passionate fan campaigns.
So, don’t count out a return just yet—especially in today’s content-hungry climate where streaming platforms are always on the lookout for ready-made hits.
🕵️ Is This the End for Network TV As We Know It?
Maybe not the end—but definitely a shift.
CBS and its competitors are adapting to a hybrid world where ratings, streaming, and social metrics all carry weight. That means traditional viewership alone may no longer save a beloved series.
Conclusion: CBS Cancellations in 2024–2025 Prove Ratings Aren’t Everything
CBS’s 2024–2025 lineup was full of surprises—and not all of them good. While fans expected underperformers to get the boot, no one predicted high-performing favorites like NCIS: Hawai’i, Blue Bloods, and East New York would also be axed.
The takeaway? High ratings are great—but ownership, cost, streaming synergy, and behind-the-scenes business deals carry even more weight. Whether or not that’s fair to the viewers is still up for debate.
🙋 5 Unique FAQs About CBS Ratings and Canceled Shows
1. Why does CBS cancel shows with high ratings?
CBS considers multiple factors beyond ratings, including production costs, studio ownership, and future programming strategies.
2. Can fan campaigns actually bring a canceled CBS show back?
Yes, though rare, passionate fan campaigns have revived shows in the past. Platforms like Paramount+ could become a new home.
3. What happens to CBS shows after cancellation?
Some get picked up by other networks or streaming platforms, while others disappear entirely unless syndicated.
4. Does CBS care about streaming numbers from Paramount+?
Absolutely. CBS increasingly factors in digital performance alongside traditional viewership when renewing shows.
5. Which canceled CBS show had the highest ratings in 2024–2025?
“Blue Bloods” topped the list with 7.3 million viewers weekly—even though it was canceled.
