CBS Networks surprised fans when they chose to cancel its most highly budgeted show on their program grill. The action series chronicling the lives and work of a group of Special Weapons and Tactics officers in the Los Angeles Police Department, starring Shemar Moore, has been running on the small screen for six consecutive seasons with a steady double-digit rise in ratings, even after the show was moved to Friday nights.
But why is CBS canceling one of its most high-budgeted and rated shows? Moreover, it’s one of the few shows with a male black man in the lead role and a favorite across mainstream television. So, today we embark on the problem and unpack the controversy surrounding the cancelation of CBS’s SWAT.
SWAT’s last episode, scheduled for airing on Friday night, seems to be the last one of the series, but this is a shocker for most followers of the show because everything seemed to be greenlit for a seventh season. So, why the confusion? Did CBS have a change of heart? Or is it something concerning the writers, directors, and cast? If you’re confused about your favorite cop show not popping up on the television next season, let’s explain what happened.
Why Was SWAT Canceled?
It seems that after six seasons of double-digit ratings on a steady rise, the CBS network’s most highly budgeted show starring Shemar Moore is canceled. Apparently, Sony and CBS couldn’t agree on the price tag for the show, unchanged license fees, and budgetary issues that have made the show financially unviable in a context where the numbers and not what fans think is the thing to follow, as, with all productions, the companies behind them have the fiduciary responsibility to report profits to the shareholders. Otherwise, it’s a waste of money, but in SWAT’s case, something changed.
But Then CBS Had A Change Of Heart
After CBS and Sony couldn’t agree on the numbers, CBS chose in early May to cancel the show, but only a few days after they made that announcement, CBS decided to un-cancel the show, reverse their decision, put Shemar Moore as an executive producer and sign a deal with Sony for a seventh season of thirteen episodes which will be the show’s final run scheduled for fall 2023 in the prime time slot.
Also Read: Why Was Night Court Cancelled on NBC Network? Answered
Shemar Moore’s B*tch-Fit On Social Media Had A Lot To Do With It
Lead actor Shemar Moore took it to his social media to say that money was the reason behind the cancelation, hinted at how that made him upset, and that riled up fans on social media who tweeted at the production company and caused the topic to go viral across the internet. Then, Katherine Pope —head of Sony— and Amy Reisenbach —head of CBS— went and signed the deal that gave the okay for SWAT to come back to the television for its final half-season run and have Shemar Moore as an executive producer, something that will surely beef up his salary on top of his acting gig.
CBS has a lot on its plate when the final episode of SWAT’s upcoming season takes seven breaths of air because that coveted prime-time spot needs a show there. Considering that SWAT was a reboot, CBS is considering bringing back Matlock or putting in some other pilot.
As it turns out, regardless of just how good SWAT might be, that’s a very expensive show to make, and with the current economy in the United States, it’s simply easier to do a lot of pilots and cheap shows that might eventually take off and become profitable for the company.
Therefore, it is possible that CBS will also do a few pilots for this potential new show. They might even look into reviving other shows from the past or creating something entirely new. It just depends on what they feel has the most potential for them and whether the writers and producers can come up with something original that is different than any other show currently on air.
Whatever the case may be, it is certain that CBS has many options when it comes to creating a new show. They just need to make sure they choose something that will be successful and turn a profit for them in the long run.
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