The spinoff’s cancellation came with CBS ending a few more shows on their roster last year. Specifically, they cited cost-cutting efforts and attempts at a better overall schedule as the main reasons for pulling the plug on the police procedural. The network has since then only doubled down on these, although subsequent details contradict them. For starters, NCIS: Hawai’i ranked as the 16th overall most-watched series during the 2023-2024 season, which made it a good investment for CBS. Instead, the show is being replaced with another NCIS spinoff in Mark Harmon’s Gibbs prequel, NCIS: Origins.

At this point, it’s difficult to be optimistic about the chances that NCIS: Hawai’i will be saved. The network has already set its fall 2024 schedule, and production on all the confirmed shows is currently ongoing. Despite this, the online petition for NCIS: Hawai’i to come back continues. One source of hope could be CBS’ own record when it comes to saving shows that they have previously cancelled. Shemar Moore’s SWAT was cancelled twice and also revived twice just in the last few months. If the movement to get NCIS: Hawai’i season 4 gets more traction, maybe CBS will renew the show.Assuming that the online petition to bring back NCIS: Hawai’i succeeds, viewers will have to wait a while before it can return. It’s simply impossible for it to reclaim its old timeslot because NCIS: Origins has already taken it over. Despite this, a longer downtime would be better than not having NCIS: Hawai’i season 4 at all, leaving Jane’s cliffhanger fate unresolved.

CBS pulled the plug on NCIS: Hawai’i after just three seasons, leaving fans stunned, frustrated, and desperate for answers. But here’s the real question everyone’s asking: Can CBS still backtrack on their decision and revive NCIS: Hawai’i? In this deep-dive, we’ll uncover the truth behind the cancellation, what could lead to a reversal, and whether there’s hope left for Jane Tennant and her team. Grab your coffee and settle in — this is the comeback story fans are rooting for.

Why Was NCIS: Hawai’i Cancelled in the First Place?

The Ratings Reality

While NCIS: Hawai’i didn’t top charts like the original series, it held its own. It regularly drew 5 to 6 million viewers per episode, which is solid by today’s network TV standards.

Budget Battles Behind the Scenes

Filming in Hawaii is expensive — and when you factor in big-name stars, production crews, and logistics, the costs add up fast. CBS may have seen the show as a high-cost, medium-return investment.

Network Restructuring After the Strike

The Hollywood strikes in 2023 left CBS with a compressed schedule and renewed scrutiny of its lineup. In this shuffle, shows like NCIS: Hawai’i got the axe to make room for new blood.

Can CBS Actually Reverse the Cancellation?

Yes – And Here’s Why

Reversing cancellations isn’t unheard of. Remember Brooklyn Nine-Nine? Lucifer? Fan outcry brought them back from the dead — and NCIS: Hawai’i could follow that path.

Viewer Demand Is Growing

The #SaveNCISHawaii movement has exploded on social media. Petitions, fan videos, and trending hashtags are showing CBS just how strong the fandom is.

There’s Already a Franchise Legacy

With the powerhouse of the NCIS franchise, bringing Hawai’i back isn’t just about ratings — it’s about brand strength. Killing a branch prematurely can hurt the whole tree.

How Could CBS Realistically Bring NCIS: Hawai’i Back?

Limited Series Revival

CBS could greenlight a 6-episode event series, allowing the show to wrap up loose ends — or even test the waters for future seasons.

Streaming-Only Reboot

Paramount+ could pick up the series exclusively, just as they’ve done with other CBS originals. This would reduce cost pressures and target core fans directly.

Merge with Another NCIS Series

Imagine Jane Tennant moving to DC or LA to join another NCIS squad. It’s a smart way to keep the character alive and satisfy fans without a full revival.

What CBS Stands to Gain From a Reversal

Brand Loyalty

Reversing a decision due to fan pressure builds brand trust. It shows CBS listens and respects its viewers — a move that could pay off in the long run.

Franchise Fuel

Bringing back NCIS: Hawai’i could breathe new life into the franchise. It keeps the momentum going and opens doors for more crossover episodes.

Fans Aren’t Done Fighting — And CBS Should Take Note

#SaveNCISHawaii Is Trending

From Twitter to TikTok, fans are lighting up the internet. One Change.org petition already has over 100,000 signatures. That’s not a small number for a “cancelled” show.

Stars Are Speaking Out

Cast members like Vanessa Lachey and Alex Tarrant have voiced their gratitude and sadness, but also left the door open for return. The cast is willing. Are the execs listening?

What Would a Return Look Like?

Season 4 with a New Mission

A leaner, tighter season focusing on bigger threats and global missions could cut costs and reignite interest.

Crossovers Galore

Mix in more characters from NCIS and NCIS: LA, and you’ve got a shared universe fans won’t want to leave.

The Streaming Wildcard: Paramount+ to the Rescue?

Streaming platforms are the new safe haven for canceled network shows. If CBS won’t carry the torch, Paramount+ might be the perfect home.

They already house NCIS content — adding Hawai’i would complete the collection and drive subscriber retention.

What Happens If CBS Stays Silent?

Loss of Trust

Audiences are savvy. When a show is axed without closure, they remember. That affects future viewership across the board.

Weakened Franchise Power

Each NCIS spin-off adds to the brand’s strength. Removing one weakens the whole, especially when it ends on a cliffhanger.

Signs a Comeback Could Be Brewing

• CBS hasn’t fully closed the door. No cast member has been permanently reassigned.

• Social media engagement is through the roof.

• New leadership at CBS has hinted at “re-evaluating past decisions” post-strike.

What Needs to Happen to Reverse the Decision

Massive Fan Mobilization

Keep tagging, tweeting, sharing, and signing. This is how shows like The Expanse and Manifest got revived.

Industry Buzz

If critics and influencers continue to call out CBS, public perception could pressure the network into action.

CBS, It’s Not Too Late

Here’s the truth: if enough people care, CBS can absolutely reverse this decision. They just need the right mix of fan power, corporate will, and a little creativity.

In the end, NCIS: Hawai’i doesn’t need to be a forgotten footnote. It can still be a comeback story.

Conclusion

The cancellation of NCIS: Hawai’i hit fans hard — but all hope isn’t lost. CBS has the power, the fanbase, and the momentum to reverse this decision. Whether it comes back as a limited series, a streaming reboot, or a franchise merger, the team in paradise deserves a proper goodbye — or a fresh start. Until then, fans won’t be silent. And neither should CBS.