(Photo by: Sonja Flemming/CBS)
Hondo and his team won’t be back protecting the public for the 2023-24 TV season. CBS has cancelled SWAT, so there won’t be a seventh season. The sixth season currently airs on Friday nights. *Update below.
A police action drama series, the SWAT TV show stars Shemar Moore, Alex Russell, Jay Harrington, Kenny Johnson, David Lim, and Patrick St. Esprit. The crime thriller centers on Sergeant Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson (Moore), a Los Angeles native and former Marine who’s been tapped to lead a new “last stop” Special Weapons And Tactics unit (S.W.A.T.). The rest of the team includes seasoned David “Deacon” Kay (Harrington), cocky Jim Street (Russell), expert driver Dominique Luca (Johnson), and informant-connected Victor Tan (Lim). Commander Robert Hicks (St. Esprit), a senior LAPD official with the Special Operations Bureau, is responsible for managing all Metro Division S.W.A.T. units.
The sixth season of SWAT averages a 0.42 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 5.07 million viewers in the live+same day ratings (includes all DVR playback through 3:00 AM). Compared to season five, that’s down by 6% in the demo and up by 18% in viewership. In the live+7 day ratings, the drama gets a nearly 30% boost in viewership.
Despite the rise in viewership. CBS still opted to cancel the series. Sony Television, which produces SWAT, and the network couldn’t agree on a licensing fee. According to Deadline, Sony had not increased the licensing fee for the past few years even though costs had increased and the studio’s profits had dropped.
CBS execs let the exclusivity on the series expire and were eventually willing to increase the licensing fee but dropped the episode order. That would have driven the per-episode cost even higher for Sony, and ultimately an agreement couldn’t be reached.
The word is that finding a new home for SWAT is highly unlikely, given the show’s budget.
“For six seasons, the amazing talents of the SWAT cast led by Shemar Moore, the writers, producers and crew guided by executive producers Shawn Ryan, Andy Dettman, and Aaron Rahsaan Thomas brought us compelling, action packed episodes that also addressed important social issues and contributed to the success of our primetime line-up,” said Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment. “We sincerely thank them for their incredible work and passion and also thank our dedicated fans who tuned in every week.”
After tonight’s episode, there are two more episodes to air. The de facto series finale, titled “Legacy,” will be released on May 19th.
What do you think? Have you kept up with the SWAT TV show? Are you disappointed this CBS series wasn’t renewed for a seventh season? Are you surprised that it was cancelled?
Update: The CBS series has been revived and renewed for a seventh and final season.
I am very unhappy with CBS I watched Swat all the time and very disappointed that you canceled it. I feel you don’t care about the viewers. I watch Swat and Blue Bloods. I hope that NBC picks it up like Magnum P I was. A lot of your shows sucks very unhappy with you.
Ouch! Didn’t see that one coming 🙁
The networks do not give a crap about viewers. I only watch 4 shows on CBS. SWAT and Blue bloods were my favorite shows on tv. East New York is ok. Survivor is just habit at this point. Someday soon the networks will be gone, all because of greed.
I am so mad at CBS for canceling the TV show SWAT. I love this show, I have been watching it from the beginning. Why do they always do this to good shows.
Ditto, I hate CBS too. After MacGyver was cancelled, I hung around for SWAT. Now, our relationship is over CBS. Try asking the viewers what WE want.
I am wicked pissed!!!! I LOVE this show and now CBS is ******** with our happiness.
im so pissed i watched swat from beginning and i love that show ..stupid cbs .they always do that ..that channel should go bankrupt ..i hate you cbs .
Another good show bites the dust before its time. It happens all too often.
3 season 2 late, this show was going down the drain
CBS needs to give the viewers what they want. I feared this outcome as long as the decision drug out. Last year’s shock was Magnum PI. At least NBC saved it. Gonna really miss the SWAT cast. 🙁
I absolutely love SWAT. LOOK forward to Friday’s. it’s a great show.its time to think about the viewers and NOT THE BUDGET. THEY MAKE PLENTY. KEEP SWAT !
Why is CBS cancelling Always good programs ? It is a non sense…. Hope another comptant will take this show which is an excellent serie.
WHY DOES CBS Cancel ALL THE GOOD SHOWS & Keep THE HORRIBLE ONES?! I look forward to Every Friday nite so I can sit down & watch it. Typically if the show isn’t doing well after 1 or 2 seasons they cancel it. BUT SWAT is doing well yet they still giving up on it!?
I agree.
I am very disappointed with Sony a n d CBS for canceling SWAT, this is complete stupidity on their part.
Then you will add a sh I w that is irrelevant to anyone who loves SWAT
Bien sûr que je suis déçue de cette décision et je souhaite vraiment qu’une maison intelligente reprenne cette série. Il y a déjà tellement peu de bons programmes alors si en plus on supprime les bons pour d’obscures raisons… Ça n’a pas de sens… Il y a plus qu’assez de navets à la TV… Révisez votre copie.