The key issue that led to the initial cancellation of SWAT is the fact that it’s a co-production between CBS and Sony at a time when networks prefer complete ownership of their properties. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Sony TV head Katherine Pope called CBS and co-producers at CBS Studios to explain that Sony could not reduce its licensing fee below its level for season 6. This meant that CBS would have had to increase the payment to renew SWAT for season 7. As networks are also looking to cut costs, this wasn’t a favorable option for CBS.
CBS reached out to Sony with an offer to increase the show’s licensing fee in exchange for an abbreviated season that consisted of 13 episodes. Sony declined the offer. After the cancellation was heavily criticized on social media, what ultimately helped to bring back SWAT for season 7 was that series creator Shawn Ryan reportedly did not know about Sony’s offer. Ryan, a veteran of TV shows who created The Night Agent, agreed to the reduced episode count and finding ways to work with a relatively tightened budget. This agreement led to SWAT getting uncancelled and brought back for season 7.
(The issue of co-productions and ownership has impacted other shows. 9-1-1 was cancelled by Fox and picked up by ABC, given that the licensing fee was too high for Fox, while Disney (ABC’s parent company) has ownership of 9-1-1 via the production company 20th Television.)
If SWAT continues to deliver strong ratings for CBS and remains notable on Netflix, there could be conversations about a spinoff or another round of discussions about how to resume the series. For now, however, as Moore indicates, the goal is to deliver a satisfying conclusion for those who have invested in the action drama series.
