Hondo (Shemar Moore) looking at someone and frowning in SWAT season 8, episode 8
In an interview with Deadline, while promoting his Netflix series The Night Agent, Ryan addresses the possibility of S.W.A.T. season 9. The creator and executive producer, who served as showrunner until Andrew Dettman took over the role in season 7, shares that executives have supported the long-running action drama. Ryan particularly cites David Ellison, the CEO of Skydance Media, who is in the process of acquiring CBS’ parent company Paramount Global. Still, in the quote below, Ryan explains why the renewal process is uncertain.

The Status Of S.W.A.T. Season 9 Explained
Renewal & Cancellation Decisions May Not Be Coming Soon
The interview with Deadline contains some new reporting on the status of CBS shows. Firstly. renewals are not expected until March or April, which is when the deal between Skydance and Paramount will reportedly close. Secondly, as it relates to S.W.A.T. season 9, talks about the show’s future have yet to begin between the production studio and the network.

It’s unclear what the likely new parent ownership of Skydance will mean for the existing slate of CBS comedies and dramas.

Still, whenever talks do begin, past sticking points are expected to remain. This includes the episode count and the license fee, which is the money that the network pays a production studio to air a series. CBS had disagreements with the production studio Sony Pictures Television over the number for each of these, with CBS wanting a lower fee. According to reports, Ryan stepped in himself and agreed to keep the show’s budget at a level that helped pave the way for a renewal.

The assumption is that the same process will play out for season 9. But as Ryan says, it’s unclear what the likely new parent ownership of Skydance will mean for the existing slate of CBS comedies and dramas. The network has so far only renewed one series, the Kathy Bates legal dramedy Matlock.

Our Take On S.W.A.T.’s Renewal Chances
CBS Should Let The Show Say Goodbye
Ellison’s Skydance and Ryan previously worked together on a movie adaptation of Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse, which ultimately didn’t move forward. It’s not yet known whether, as Ryan suggests, the positive views that executives have of S.W.A.T. will factor into a renewal. Considering how the action series recently replaced Blue Bloods in its timeslot, it would make sense for CBS to allow another veteran series to bow out on its own terms. However, financial considerations are difficult to predict.

S.W.A.T. season 8 will return to CBS on Friday, January 31 at 10 PM ET