CBS Tried Replacing Blue Bloods—Now They've Lost Two Shows Instead

The show, which initially premiered in 2010, was an extraordinary hit that ruled the CBS network for nearly a decade. The Reagan family, mostly made up of law enforcement personnel, was at the heart of this series. Their strong bond, as well as the shared family dinners, contributed significantly to its widespread appeal. The show’s longevity and popularity were undoubtedly boosted by its principal actors, such as Tom Selleck (as Frank), Donnie Wahlberg (Danny), Bridget Moynahan (Erin), Will Estes (Jamie), Len Cariou (Henry), among others. Together, they made this series a lasting and cherished police procedural.

Each episode consistently attracted approximately 14 million viewers at its peak, which is impressive given the era when traditional broadcasting was transitioning towards streaming platforms as the primary medium. Remarkably, this show stood out among others, maintaining its status as a popular network television program even as viewer interest in other shows decreased. The series was exceptional and CBS has been aiming to replicate its success. However, it turns out that finding a suitable replacement for the Friday 10:00 PM ET slot has been more challenging than initially anticipated.

Blue Bloods Was Recently Canceled

The Show Ended After 14 Seasons

Although Blue Bloods consistently held its high standard for several seasons, it wasn’t destined to run indefinitely. The show nearly ceased production after season 13, but the actors and crew accepted a significant salary reduction to keep the series alive. Their sacrifices merely postponed the ultimate fate, as CBS eventually decided on canceling the show, providing a smooth transition for its conclusion. The final episode, “End of Tour,” aired in season 14, episode 18, on December 13, 2024. This marked the 293rd episode of the series, and fittingly, it concluded as the show began: Gathered around the dinner table.

The closing scene revealed Eddie and Jamie confirming a pregnancy, Frank exhibiting his family’s accomplishments with pride, and Erin failing to step up in a critical situation. This moment signified growth for all characters, making for an emotional finale that left the cast, crew, and viewers tearful. After 14 seasons of suspense, the series came to an unexpected conclusion. CBS is keeping the story alive by holding onto the option of , where Donnie Wahlberg will once again portray Danny Reagan. However, instead of being based in New York City, this spin-off will bid farewell to the Big Apple as it focuses on Boston.

CBS Hoped That SWAT Would Fill Its Slot

The Gamble Proved To Be an Utter Failure

As a devoted TV enthusiast, I must say that when CBS decided to bid adieu to their beloved procedural, it wasn’t just about saying goodbye to a popular show. It was more about letting go of a prime-time slot that draws an enormous audience and could easily catapult another series into stardom. After wrapping up ‘Blue Bloods’, CBS opted to pass the torch to a newcomer, and lucky for us, it’s ‘S.W.A.T.’. This 2017 series is a revival of a 1975 TV show and a 2003 movie, focusing on the Los Angeles Police Department. Shemar Moore (playing Hondo) was the leading man right from the first episode, making his presence felt since day one.

After spending eight full seasons on the air, CBS anticipated an increase in viewership for the show by relocating it to the previous spot of Blue Bloods. However, they unintentionally established a problematic timeslot instead. Reports suggest that the audience size plummeted by about 1 million following the shift, decreasing from roughly 4.5 million viewers down to around 3 million. Although it saw some recovery in later episodes, it continued to decline as time passed. Eventually, CBS decided to terminate the show, and this is not the first instance of the network canceling this particular series.

2023 saw CBS ending the popular series S.W.A.T., causing quite a stir among cast and crew. Unlike concerns over viewership or budget, the problem lay in CBS’s ability to afford the substantial licensing fees from Sony for continuing the show, leading to its premature end. However, the network later decided to bring it back for season 7 before canceling it again by announcing the final season finale. The last episode, Season 8, Episode 22, titled “Return to Base,” is scheduled for May 16, 2025, and may be the concluding chapter unless another revival occurs. Interestingly, CBS’s attempt to replace Blue Bloods‘ slot with the action-oriented procedural did not yield substantial results.

Blue Bloods Is Irreplaceable

Even Boston Blue Will Likely Struggle

The unfortunate reality is that no series can truly replicate the warmth and affection that Blue Bloods consistently radiates. Contrary to popular belief, it wasn’t just another police procedural that drew viewers in. Its unique appeal lay in its intricate character flaws, complex family dynamics, and captivating setting, which boasted an authenticity that set it apart from others. According to Tom Selleck, a significant contributing factor was the heartwarming family dinner scenes, as they provided an opportunity for the cast to bond both on and off-screen, creating a distinctive atmosphere. S.W.A.T., while intriguing in its own right, seems to be missing that family connection that made the New York-based show so successful.

Attempting to air S.W.A.T. in that timeslot with the hope of replicating its success was setting up for failure. The audience craved a series with similar emotional depth, but Hondo’s adventures fell short compared to Frank’s personal struggle to maintain family harmony amidst urban turmoil. The inconsistent cancellations and slot changes for S.W.A.T., such as shifting it to different time slots, also affected its momentum negatively. Viewers were accustomed to watching episodes weekly at a specific time, but the change in setting forced them to adapt, potentially losing some viewers. This minor adjustment appears to have had an impact on its viewership, and it seems plausible that it did.

The new series aims to bridge the gap left by “Blue Bloods”. It will introduce Danny in a fresh urban setting with an entirely different cast, including a new family. Dinner table scenes might return, adding warmth similar to the familial ambiance of the original show, but it won’t be able to exactly mirror the Reagan family dynamic. The original series boasted an exceptional ensemble of characters, and its popularity exceeded all expectations. While “S.W.A.T.” and “Boston Blue” aspire to emulate its success, they may not achieve what the Reagan family saga accomplished.

2025-05-10 03:58

CBS Tried Replacing Blue Bloods—Now They’ve Lost Two Shows Instead