S.W.A.T. season 8 was already in an uncomfortable situation after CBS announced that season 7 would be the last one for the procedural before changing its mind again. As a result, season 8 saw several characters leave and awkward storylines because they had already received a proper ending in the prior season. The procedural has managed to fix some of its storylines, but now with the cancelation of S.W.A.T. season 9, there is only so much more they can do. However, several S.W.A.T. cast members are still holding onto hope that the show can be saved with the right decision.

CBS Canceled SWAT For The Third & Likely Final Time
CBS Can’t Seem To Make Up Its Mind
S.W.A.T.’s season 9 cancelation is not as disappointing as it should be because CBS has already set a precedent with pulling the plug on it. The network originally canceled the show after season 6, announcing that there would be no more seasons for the highly popular police show. However, only a few days later, it reversed its decision and renewed S.W.A.T. for a seventh and supposedly final season. After S.W.A.T. had written satisfying endings for its characters, CBS changed its mind again and renewed S.W.A.T. for season 8.

Now CBS has announced S.W.A.T.’s cancelation again, and this time, the decision is allegedly final. However, it is hard to trust them. CBS has canceled and renewed S.W.A.T. so many times that I would not be surprised if they renewed it again only to cancel it in the next season. To have so many back-and-forth decisions in such a short span of time is frustrating for a major network. It is a beloved show, which makes its continued cancelation even more annoying since S.W.A.T. was supposed to be Blue Bloods’ replacement and just followed the latter’s fate instead.

Shemar Moore Asks Other Networks Or Streamers To Save SWAT
Moore Appeals To His Instagram Followers
Shemar Moore as Hondo in SWAT season 7, episode 3, looking serious
Among the disappointed people following CBS’ decision to cancel S.W.A.T. again is Shemar Moore, who has played the show’s lead, Hondo, since its premiere in 2017. As one of the main characters on S.W.A.T., Moore has been vocal about his continued disappointment with CBS’ changing decisions. However, he has expressed his gratitude too, as the network has been a major factor in his career as it was also the home of Criminal Minds, where Moore played Derek.

After trying to appeal to his home network, Moore moved on to speak to other broadcasters and streaming services, including NBC, Fox, and Netflix. Shows have switched networks or streaming services before, so it is possible that S.W.A.T. could do the same thing. Besides appealing emotionally, Moore also emphasized S.W.A.T.’s success in ratings and popularity and how well-loved the show is. It is too early to tell whether the show will be saved, but Moore put his all into his video, which has gone viral since it was first posted.

Can Any Of The Networks Or Streamers Really Pick Up SWAT After Its Cancelation
SWAT Has Good Ratings On Its Side
Peter Onorati in SWAT
While it is not as common, shows have been picked up by other networks and streaming services after they have been dropped. 9-1-1 is a popular example of a procedural show that switched networks. Originally a Fox production, 9-1-1 moved to ABC after Fox canceled it in 2023. Another dramatic series that switched networks was Designated Survivor, which moved from ABC to Netflix. S.W.A.T. could reasonably follow the same pattern.

Given S.W.A.T.’s loyal base, both as a network TV show and as a show available to watch via streaming, it could be a great idea to have the show switch producers and keep churning out seasons. The show has maintained its popularity even after the two prior cancelations, so whoever picks up S.W.A.T. almost has a guaranteed audience. The only question now is if it’s going to be enough for the business side of the industry.

What Is The Best Future For SWAT After Its Time On CBS?
It Might Be Better To Quit While They Are Ahead
Because of Moore’s appeal and the overall success of S.W.A.T., the procedural has great potential to be saved by another network or streaming service, but that might not be the best option. S.W.A.T. could follow the path of 9-1-1 and switch networks and remain a well-loved popular show. It could also move to direct streaming, but each case risks losing what made S.W.A.T. so special in the first place.

Rochelle Aytes as Nichelle and Shemar Moore as Hondo in SWAT.
Related

I Love SWAT, But I’m Ready To Let The Show Go After Its Third Cancelation
CBS has canceled S.W.A.T. (again), meaning season 8 is poised to be the show’s last, but that isn’t stopping Shemar Moore from trying to save it.

If S.W.A.T. keeps moving back and forth between cancelations and renewals and different networks, it is just delaying the inevitable final cancelation of the show. S.W.A.T. is currently in a great place with amazing storylines and a fantastic team. If the writers gave the characters closure now only to have them return in S.W.A.T. season 9 with a different network, once again they would have betrayed the characters. It might be best to leave the show as it is and accept season 8 as the final ending rather than risk seeing S.W.A.T. ruined in later seasons.

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