UPDATE 4:15 PM: It’s a done deal. CBS has confirmed Deadline’s exclusive about canceled S.W.A.T. getting a reprieve with a renewal for a seventh and final season through a statement. (You can read it below.) Star Shemar Moore has been added as an executive producer.
EXCLUSIVE 3 PM: S.W.A.T. may be down but not out. The drama, which was canceled on Friday after six seasons, would come back for a seventh season on CBS which would be its last, sources tell Deadline.
I hear renewal conversations between CBS and S.W.A.T. lead studio Sony Pictures Television restarted on Friday, soon after the series starring Shemar Moore was officially canceled, with the news facing immediate backlash from fans who rallied behind the popular show.
Talks have continued over the weekend into Monday, focusing on a 13-episode seventh and final season of S.W.A.T. Resolution is expected by end of day; CBS is slated to unveil its fall schedule Wednesday, May 10.
“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,” Amy Reisenbach, President, CBS Entertainment, and Katherine Pope, President, Sony Pictures Television Studios, said in a joint statement. “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.”
Intentionally — on not — Moore hinted at a potential reversal in his emotional reaction to the cancellation Friday night on Instagram.
“Its all about money, y’all. They said we’re canceled, but guess what I don’t think we’re done,” he said in a video message to fans. “CBS is either gonna wake up and realize they made a mistake. Sony is gonna do their math and realize that this is not the right move. I hope we can have a kumbaya and come back together and continue this show because it’s a good time for families across the world.”
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While a S.W.A.T. cancellation reversal would be a cause of celebration for fans of the long-running procedural, whose demise was a business decision, it might not be good news for freshman cop drama East New York, starring Amanda Warren.
Renewal negotiations between CBS and East New York lead studio Warner Bros. TV also have been bumpy — in addition to financial issues they also have included a squabble over additional streaming rights CBS requested for the series. Negotiations have progressed and are ongoing, but I hear that S.W.A.T. and East New York might be competing for one slot. Both are rare broadcast dramas with Black leads.
Canceled series finding new homes is more common; a network reversing its cancellation decision is rare. Coincidentally — or not — three previous cases involved Sony TV series: Timeless on NBC (co-created/executive produced by S.W.A.T. exec producer/showrunner Shawn Ryan), Drop Dead Diva on Lifetime and Breaking In on Fox.
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As Deadline reported on Friday, Sony was not willing to take another S.W.A.T. renewal at a flat license fee as that would compromise the show’s financial model. CBS eventually went up on the license fee but the offer came with a cut of the order, which would’ve pushed up the per-episode budget even higher and further hurt the show’s economics. It led to Sony passing, and CBS cancelling the show.
That part is now being sorted out, as I hear production executives on both sides felt that not all avenues had been explored to make a renewal work.
S.W.A.T. has been enjoying a ratings resurgence. Following its move to Fridays, the law enforcement drama has flourished, posting rare double-digit linear viewership increase year-to-year. A strong 8 PM anchor, S.W.A.T. has contributed to reinvigorating CBS’ Friday drama lineup and helped launch new breakout hit Fire Country.
Part 2 of the sixth season finale of S.W.A.T. airs Friday, May 19, on CBS.
Here is Shawn Ryan’s reaction:
