Business, Not Ratings
Despite strong viewership—over 8 million weekly viewers and the #1 Friday-night slot—S.W.A.T. was canceled primarily due to financial disputes between CBS and Sony. CBS wanted to maintain a flat license fee, but Sony pushed back, citing rising production costs. When negotiations stalled, cancellation became the only solutionCinemablend+15Forbes+15People.com+15Reddit+2People.com+2Reddit+2.
A Pattern of Cancellation and Rescues
S.W.A.T. was previously canceled after Season 6 in May 2023 over licensing disagreements. Public backlash and Moore’s vocal support led CBS to reverse the decision for a shortened 13-episode Season 7. Later, in 2024, CBS greenlit Season 8. But in March 2025, CBS opted not to negotiate at all, marking the show’s final cancellation after eight seasons .
Corporate Shifts and Cost Cuts
Industry insiders and showrunner Andrew Dettmann pointed to broader corporate restructuring and cost-cutting at CBS—including the upcoming Skydance merger—as critical factors leading to the final decision. Despite being beloved by fans and executives, S.W.A.T. fell victim to shifting priorities Forbes+1New York Post+1.
😡 Why Did Shemar Moore Disagree with CBS’s Decision?
A Vocal Advocate for the Show
Moore took to Instagram to call CBS’s move a “f—ing mistake”, arguing the cancellation made no sense given the show’s strong ratings and growth over the last two years New York Post+15People.com+15EW.com+15. He urged fans to speak up and expressed disappointment, especially noting that S.W.A.T. was one of the few network shows led by a Black male, making its cancellation a blow for representation MovieWeb+12Bustle+12ajc+12.
Fighting for Crew and Legacy
Saying “we defied the odds” by surviving two prior cancellations, Moore expressed heartbreak at having to tell the crew the news again. He emphasized pride in their accomplishment but criticized CBS for not even engaging to negotiate this time around. He also hinted at other platforms like Netflix, saying, “If you’re interested in a show that’s on autopilot that the world is watching, we’d love to come play” People.com+1New York Post+1.
Representation Matters
Moore underscored the importance of S.W.A.T. as CBS’s most diverse series, and he positioned the show’s end as a loss not just for entertainment but for inclusive casting on network televisionCinemablend+15MovieWeb+15EW.com+15.
Timeline: The Rise and Fall of S.W.A.T.
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2017: S.W.A.T. premieres on CBS.
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May 2023: CBS cancels after Season 6 due to licensing fee issues.
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Days later: CBS reverses cancellation; future Season 7 is greenlit.
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2024: CBS renews for Season 8 despite earlier plans for finality.
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March 2025: CBS cancels the show for the third time without negotiation.
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May 16, 2025: Series finale airs. Spin-off S.W.A.T.: Exiles is announced shortly afterReddit+6People.com+6Forbes+6EW.com+3Collider+3Reddit+3Cinemablend+3Wikipedia+3New York Post+3.
Bottom Line: Why the Cancellation Didn’t Sit Right
| Factor | Why it mattered |
|---|---|
| High Ratings | S.W.A.T. consistently ranked high in viewership yet still got canceled. |
| Financial Disputes | Show was canceled over economics, not audience interest or creative failure. |
| Fan & Cast Pushback | Moore and fans helped save the show twice before; silencing that voice felt dismissive. |
| Diversity Loss | As one of network TV’s most diverse dramas, S.W.A.T.’s cancellation felt like a regression. |
| Lack of Negotiation | CBS didn’t even discuss renewal this time—Moore saw it as disrespect to the team and legacy of the show. |
Moore’s Final Words
Moore posted, “If you change your mind, you’ll make a lot of people smile”—reaffirming hope for revival. And while CBS opted not to negotiate, he remains hopeful for continuation on other platforms and is excited for the next chapter in his career and life with family. He ended on a personal note: “I ain’t done. My knees are ready… I’m ready to go.”People.comNew York Post+11Good Housekeeping+11Reddit+11People.comForbes+1New York Post+1
Fan & Industry Reactions
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Showrunner Andrew Dettmann called the cancellation “heartbreaking”, praising the show’s crew and their perseverance through pandemic, strikes, and production challenges New York Post+2Reddit+2Forbes+2.
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Cast members like Jay Harrington (Deacon) and David Lim (Tan) publicly shared frustration at being excluded from the new spin-off, feeling overlooked by the studio despite years of service on the seriesPeople.com+3Forbes+3New York Post+3.
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Reddit users noted strong support for Moore’s activism, with fans saying he “single-handedly saved the show” with his public pushback .
Conclusion
S.W.A.T. ended not because it failed, but because it got caught in a web of licensing costs, shifting corporate priorities, and a network unwilling to negotiate. Shemar Moore disagreed wholeheartedly—not just for his character or himself, but for representation, the dedicated crew, and the loyal fans who helped defy the odds twice before. He called the decision both “a mistake” and a missed opportunity—and remains hopeful the story could continue elsewhere.
FAQs
Q1: How many times was S.W.A.T. canceled and revived?
A: It was canceled three times total—after Seasons 6 and 8—and revived twice, for Seasons 7 and 8, before CBS refused to negotiate post-2025 cancellation Wikipedia+9People.com+9TV Insider+9.
Q2: Was low viewership the reason for cancellation?
A: No. Ratings remained strong, and the show was #1 in its time slot. Cancellation stemmed from financial disagreements over license fees Reddit+2ajc+2MovieWeb+2.
Q3: Did Shemar Moore say anything about diversity?
A: Yes—he called S.W.A.T. CBS’s most diverse show and argued that canceling it sends the wrong message about representation on network TV EW.com+9Bustle+9MovieWeb+9.
Q4: Might S.W.A.T. return on another platform?
A: Moore has suggested pitch ideas to Netflix, NBC, and others, saying they’d “make a lot of people smile” if another studio picked it up Forbes+1New York Post+1.
Q5: Will original cast members return in S.W.A.T.: Exiles?
A: Only Moore’s Hondo is confirmed. Original cast like Jay Harrington and David Lim reported they weren’t approached in time and feel overlooked TV Insider+6Wikipedia+6New York Post+6.
