(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.
Terrific series. What a shame all the best series being canceled. Enjoyed the Friday night lineup
Only two shows on CBS I watch SWAT and NCIS LA and they cancelled both . Will not be watching CBS any more.
It’s a shame to cancel such a good show. I think amazon prime or Netflix should save it since Netflix has seats movies they should also have the series. Better to be saved by any streaming service. Keep on going swat. The best show.
Swat is a great series
I cannot believe that another fantastic show has been cancelled. I have watched this show from beginning and will watch to the end. Please another channel pick this show up as its one of the best shows on TV so please please keep this going.
It’s a shame the best cop show ever. Amazon prime or Netflix should renew the show. Netflix because they have all the swat movies. The most thing as long as someone saves it. Come on u guys save this most famous popular show ever. Keep true tv alive.
I am very disappointed. I’ve watched every show. I will miss it.
IT also was not good to cancel NCIS LA it was nice made me lough. NCIS Hawaii instead is borring like NCIS New Orleans netter go to see anoyher gilm
Please don’t cancel SWAT it is good and nice to see
It’s a bad move. Rhewre aren’t many shows rhat peak our interest. It’s wholesome, alot of action and shows how to have a strong community behind you!! It’s a dang shame
Finally a great show worth watching on Friday nights and CBS CANCELS not a good move. You’ll lose a lot of viewers
CBS is the absolute worst network. The only 2 shows I watch there are SWAT & The Equalizer. CBS doesn’t give a damn what their viewers like. They might as well close down.
SWAT is one of the more decent show than some of the new ones on CBS. Please don’t cancel it. Not much is left!!!
Swat is a very good show please don’t cancel it
Sorry for the misspelling of Shemar Moore’s name in my post