“Why Blue Bloods Being Network TV’s 4th Most-Watched Drama Didn’t Lead to CBS Renewing It”
CBS had its reasons for canceling Blue Bloods, despite it being one of the network’s highest-rated dramas. The Tom Selleck-led cop and family show remained a top performer throughout its final season, yet CBS stuck to its decision to cancel it, with the series airing its last episode on December 13, 2024. As of now, CBS plans to air SWAT in its place, a decision that has frustrated many fans.
What makes this move especially difficult for viewers is the fact that SWAT had previously been saved from cancellation twice, even though it garnered significantly lower ratings than Blue Bloods. The cancellation of Blue Bloods was met with heavy resistance from fans and cast members alike, with both Donnie Wahlberg and Tom Selleck expressing their hope that CBS would reverse its decision. Yet, despite the outpouring of support, CBS stood firm. While the network had its reasons, these justifications have done little to quell the disappointment of those hoping for a different outcome.
Ratings of Blue Bloods Season 14
Blue Bloods remained a ratings powerhouse right until its final episode, ranking as the sixth-highest-rated show on network television and the fourth-highest on CBS. The series averaged an impressive 7.9 million viewers per episode—especially notable considering it aired on Friday nights at 10 PM, a time slot when many people are out. The last two episodes saw an even bigger surge, with the series finale attracting 11 million viewers.
In comparison, SWAT ranked much lower, sitting as the 16th-highest-rated series on CBS with an average of 5.6 million viewers—about 2 million less than Blue Bloods. With this stark difference in ratings, it feels especially unfair that CBS canceled a fan-favorite show with strong viewership in favor of one that has struggled to capture as large an audience. Although airing SWAT in the same timeslot may be an attempt to boost its ratings, it’s uncertain if it will be successful.
Why Ratings Didn’t Save Blue Bloods
Ultimately, the viewership numbers may have mattered less than some hoped. CBS had already made up its mind that Blue Bloods would end after season 14. Even though the show maintained strong ratings and a loyal fan base, CBS was slow to renew it after season 13, only agreeing to a 14th season if the cast and crew took a 25% pay cut. While the cast’s willingness to sacrifice speaks to their dedication, it also highlights the financial concerns that influenced CBS’s decision to cancel Blue Bloods.
The production costs of the show played a significant role in CBS’s choice. With many of the core cast members having been with the series for all 14 seasons, their salaries had risen over time, and the large ensemble cast, along with the high costs of filming in New York, made the show more expensive to produce. Despite its popularity, the financial burden was simply too great for CBS to justify continuing the series.
The Backlash and Fan Outrage
The cancellation of Blue Bloods sparked an intense backlash, and understandably so. The show’s blend of police procedural and family drama, along with its portrayal of a supportive family dynamic, set it apart from other similar shows. It also won favor with real-life police officers for its respectful treatment of the NYPD. Fans were emotionally invested, and many have expressed frustration over the show’s removal from the network. Some viewers have even pledged not to watch other CBS programs in protest.
The high ratings of Blue Bloods make the cancellation even harder to understand. Many shows are canceled due to poor ratings, so audiences can usually accept those decisions. However, when a show is as popular as Blue Bloods, with higher ratings than other CBS renewals, its cancellation feels especially unjust. This has led some viewers to believe that CBS may have had other reasons for canceling the show, reasons that are not immediately clear.
Additionally, the passion of the Blue Bloods cast for continuing the series only amplifies the sense of loss. Many of them were hopeful until the very end that CBS would change its mind, particularly after the strong ratings during the final episodes. Had the show ended naturally because it felt like the right time, viewers may have found more peace with the conclusion. But the sudden and seemingly arbitrary decision to cancel the show has left fans feeling betrayed.
In the end, Blue Bloods’ cancellation remains a sore spot for both its devoted audience and its cast, and the frustration over the decision is unlikely to fade any time soon.
