In a shocking development, CBS has reversed its initial decision to cancel the long-running drama series, S.W.A.T., after six seasons, despite being the third-most popular series on the network in the 18-49 demographic. After there was a severe backlash to the cancelation, the network changed its mind, and renewed the series for a seventh and final season in the fall.

The show was canceled amid a new TV landscape where long-running shows that are not owned by the networks (S.W.A.T. is produced by Sony Pictures Television Studios) that air them are much harder for networks to justify the high cost of renewing them.

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What did CBS say about the cancelation reversal?

The fan backlash to the cancelation was loud, spurred on by Shemar Moore, the star of the show, also releasing an angry statement about the show being canceled.

CBS Entertainment Amy Reisenbach and Sony Pictures Television Studios President Katherine Pope released a joint statement stating, “We have listened to our viewers and their outpouring of passion for S.W.A.T. and we have reached an agreement to renew it for a final season of 13 episodes to air during the 2023-2024 broadcast year. S.W.A.T. has aired for six seasons on CBS and garnered a devoted following. We are pleased that we found a way to bring it back and give closure to the show’s storylines and characters, which audiences deserve. Once again, we appreciate the talents and efforts of the cast, writers, producers and crew and everyone who has contributed to the success of S.W.A.T. We look forward to its return next season.”

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What CBS shows were canceled in wake of this move?

The seventh season will reportedly be a 13-episode season, designed to give the show a proper resolution.

The news was not so good for two other CBS shows, one of which would quite likely have been renewed had S.W.A.T.'s cancelation remained in place. CBS canceled first year dramas, East New York, and True Lies. True Lies was the lowest-rated CSB drama, so it was clearly a dead show walking, but East New York was nearly as popular as S.W.A.T., so its cancelation was more of a surprise. Again, though, it was produced by a different studio (Warner Bros.), so it was harder to get a renewal from CBS in the current TV landscape.

Source: Deadline