The Equalizer as well as FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International may have been yanked from the CBS schedule, but execs on Wednesday were still touting the strength of the three dramas.
When boasting about its top performers from the 2024-25 season, all three shows were given shout-outs by CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach. But the net still opted not to renew The Equalizer for a sixth season, Most Wanted for a seventh season, and International for a fifth as part of its pickups for 2025-26 that included eight new shows and 18 returning ones.
“It’s not easy to end shows and we had a lot of options this year,” Reisenbach told reporters Wednesday. “The schedule is really full and so we always have to look at all of our shows, look at the aggregate information, the creative of where they are in their life cycle, what the finances look like, what the ratings are, and then we make those tough decisions.”
Sunday’s episode of The Equalizer served as a series finale. There is no plan by Universal Television to shop the show. The series finale of FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International airs on May 20.
“We love working with Dick Wolf and we’re so excited to bring CIA onto the schedule,” Reisenbach continued of their new drama starring Tom Ellis. “We have to be fiscally responsible and ultimately, those deals and the shows just weren’t penciling out for us from an economic perspective. But we want to be in the business with Dick. We’re excited to launch a new two-hour block next season.”
When asked if there was even the smallest chance that they would reconsider the cancellation of S.W.A.T., Reisenberg said no.
FAQs
Q1: Why did CBS cancel The Equalizer and the FBI spin-offs?
A1: CBS cited declining viewership and the need for fiscal responsibility as primary reasons for the cancellations.
Q2: Will there be any spin-offs or continuations of these series?
A2: Currently, there are no confirmed plans for spin-offs or continuations, but the possibility remains open, especially on streaming platforms.
Q3: How have fans reacted to the cancellations?
A3: Fans have expressed disappointment and launched social media campaigns advocating for the shows’ return.
Q4: Could these shows be picked up by other networks or streaming services?
A4: While not confirmed, the popularity of the series makes them potential candidates for revival on other platforms.
Q5: What does this mean for CBS’s future programming?
A5: CBS is likely to focus on financially sustainable content, possibly exploring new genres and formats to meet changing audience demands.
