May has officially arrived, and with it comes the end of yet another television season, one that has been filled once again with some truly amazing comedies, dramas, and reality shows! Of course, with the end of the TV season comes the end of the current seasons of our favorite shows as well.
For some shows, it’s simply the end of the season with new episodes coming in the fall or in early 2026 as part of the midseason slate. For others, it’s the end of the road, be it via a planned final season or an abrupt end caused by an unfortunate cancellation order from the network.
While some networks have yet to make decisions about the majority of their programs, CBS has been ahead of the crowd this season, handing out renewals and cancellations to all but one show as of May 1.
The Equalizer is the only CBS show on the bubble
Sitting on the bubble once again this season on CBS is The Equalizer, which is the only CBS primetime series awaiting its fate. The good news is that CBS remains in conversations with Universal Television and there is a good chance the show will get renewed; however, that renewal could come with a major caveat.
While it’s looking like CBS will renew The Equalizer for a sixth season, there is growing speculation that CBS will renew the show for a final season. Signs seem to be pointing towards season 6 being the final season of the Queen Latifah-led drama series which has been a mainstay on CBS’s Sunday lineup.
Should a renewal happen, it’s expected that the order will be for a shortened season. Deadline reports that the final season order could consist of just 13 episodes, which would make it the show’s shortest season to date. Still, a final season is much better than a cancellation order, as that ensures fans will at least get to see the writers bring the show to a natural end.
6 CBS shows have been canceled this season
As The Equalizer remains on the bubble, fans are anxious to see whether the show will end up joining the list of shows renewed for the 2025-26 season or if it’ll join the list of unfortunate shows CBS ended this season.
It’s been another rough year for CBS fans, with six beloved shows coming to a close this year with cancellation orders. The six shows CBS has canceled this year are Blue Bloods, FBI: International, FBI: Most Wanted, Poppa’s House, The Summit, and SWAT.
Of this list, Blue Bloods was the only show that was canceled with a final season order. Fans were hopeful that CBS would reverse the cancellation, but alas, CBS decided to bring the hit Friday night drama to a close but will continue the franchise via a new spinoff. The spinoff, Boston Blue, will see Donnie Wahlberg reprising his role as Danny Reagan with the action moving from New York City to Boston.
CBS’s other cancellations were far more shocking. When word broke that FBI: CIA was in development, fans feared one of the other FBI offshoots could be in danger; however, we never expected that CBS would cancel both FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted. Sadly, neither show has been shopped around, but the franchise will continue via the flagship series, and the CIA spinoff has been ordered to series with Tom Ellis set to lead the cast.
There was also the surprise cancellation of CBS’s new comedy Poppa’s House, after just one season, despite showing strong numbers. It seems production costs might have been too hefty for CBS, which is a shame, as the show felt like a series that could very well have gone on for many seasons. It was also one-and-done for CBS's new reality series, The Summit, which was canceled this spring months after its finale aired.
Finally, there is SWAT, which is officially coming to an end, this time seemingly for good, after two brushes with cancellation in recent years. After reversing its cancellation decisions over the last two years, it was surprising to see CBS cancel SWAT in the manner it did. The cast continues to fight to find the show a new home, so we’ll see if that, by chance, works. For now, we just know the show’s time on CBS is officially over.
Which CBS shows have been renewed?
Although CBS has canceled five shows, it did hand out renewals to the majority of its primetime hits this season, with 12 of its scripted originals securing renewals for the 2025-26 season. This includes both long-running favorites and new hits that made waves this season, such as NCIS: Origins and Matlock.
In addition to NCIS: Origins and Matlock, CBS has also renewed Elsbeth, Fire Country, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, NCIS, NCIS: Sydney, Survivor, The Amazing Race, Tracker, and Watson. CBS also renewed The Neighborhood for a final season and handed out a two-season renewal to its hit comedy Ghosts!
FBI is also returning, having been previously renewed for three seasons back in 2024, ensuring the show will remain on air through at least season 9!