S.W.A.T. may well have never ever been the flagship show of CBS, but it has managed to hold its personal more than the years. The series, which centers on the everyday lives of a Los Angeles S.W.A.T. group, has been recognized to provide strong ratings for the network, thanks to its speedy-paced storytelling and a dependable cast led by Shemar Moore. S.W.A.T. hasn’t been on the air as extended as CBS shows like NCIS and Blue Bloods, but that does not matter—the series became one particular of the network’s most well-known shows, even experiencing a resurgence soon after CBS moved S.W.A.T. from Thursday to Friday nights.

That’s why it came as a big shock to a lot of when CBS all of a sudden announced the cancelation of S.W.A.T. soon after six seasons. Fortunately, the network at some point reversed its choice, opting to move forward with Season 7 of the series, and even though it was initially understood that it would be the show’s final season, CBS renewed S.W.A.T. for Season 8. Since then, the network has got every person questioning why it attempted to ax the show in the initial location.

S.W.A.T.

This action-packed series follows a specialized tactical unit in the Los Angeles Police Department, led by Sergeant Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson. The group tackles higher-stakes crimes in the city even though addressing challenges of race, loyalty, and justice. The series is notable for its intense action sequences and the private dramas of its members.

Release Date

November 2, 2017

Main Genre

Crime

Seasons

7

Story By

Robert Hammer, Rick Husky

Network

CBS

Directors

Billy Gierhart

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Sony Brought ‘S.W.A.T.’ to CBS in the First Place

Hollywood has been intrigued by S.W.A.T. and its inner workings for as extended as any individual can try to remember. In the 1970s, Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg made their personal S.W.A.T. series even though it only ran for one particular season, it stayed on the air just extended adequate to inspire a 2003 film of the identical name. This film attracted various Hollywood stars, with Samuel L. Jackson, Colin Farrell, LL Cool J, and Michelle Rodriguez major the cast. A couple of years later, Sony came to Shawn Ryan, the Emmy-winning producer behind The Shield, with plans to take S.W.A.T. back to the silver screen and primarily do a remake of the film.

At that time, the studio currently had Aaron Rahsaan Thomas, finest recognized for his function on CSI: NY, Southland and Sleepy Hollow, on the project. They believed it would be a strong concept for Ryan, who was set to renew his all round deal with Sony, to come on board, as well. Aside from Ryan, the studio also tapped Fast and Furious franchise director, Justin Lin, who signed on as one particular of the show’s producers, and with each other, the 3 males pitched S.W.A.T. to CBS and sold the network on it. CBS even agreed to spend a penalty charge if it decided not to place the show on its air that, of course, did not come about.

‘S.W.A.T.’ Gained New Viewers With a Time Slot Change

When S.W.A.T. premiered in 2017, CBS knew quickly that it had a further hit in its hands, as the show’s pilot episode, which Lin directed, accomplished record ratings as it was watched by a reported 6.82 million viewers when it initial aired on November 2. CBS Entertainment also later revealed that S.W.A.T. recorded 10.52 million viewers in its Live+7 ratings, the highest audience recorded for its time period. Aside from the veteran producers and filmmakers functioning on the show, the series had a further secret weapon: its most important star, Shemar Moore. By the time S.W.A.T. went on air, Moore had currently established himself as one particular of the most bankable Television stars in the company following his time on the other CBS hit crime drama, Criminal Minds. During an interview with Assignment X, Ryan even mentioned that receiving Moore on board the show was the “secret sauce” to generating S.W.A.T. a achievement.

On CBS, S.W.A.T. faced stiff competitors from the get-go, as the network was currently dwelling to various extremely-rated crime dramas. Following its premiere, the show’s viewership all through Season 1 remained steady, averaging 5.89 million viewers across its 22 episodes. It didn’t do as effectively as NCIS or Blue Bloods, but it performed adequate to warrant a second season. During the 2018 by way of 2019 period, CBS had currently been the quantity one particular network for 11 straight seasons and its scripted series lineup played a big part in generating that come about. That mentioned, CBS also suffered a ratings dip all through its shows as the broadcast sector dealt with the rise of streaming. For S.W.A.T., that meant a slightly decrease typical rating for Season 2, and as broadcast networks continued to endure, the series’ viewership dipped additional, even though CBS kept renewing it.

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You Will Never Guess Who Is Returning for ‘S.W.A.T.’ Season 8

Audiences believed he was gone for excellent.

Eventually, CBS decided to shake issues up, moving S.W.A.T. to its Friday evening time slot exactly where it joined Blue Bloods and Magnum P.I. As it turns out, that single move was all that S.W.A.T. necessary to regain its momentum. Following the shift, the series saw a 35 % raise in its Season 5 ratings, averaging 4.28 million viewers. Just a year later, S.W.A.T. saw a further 17 % raise in ratings for Season 6, averaging an estimated 5.01 million viewers per episode. Despite the recovery, having said that, there was difficulty up ahead.

Despite Its Ratings Resurgence, ‘S.W.A.T.’ Was Not Safe From Cancelation

Following the relative achievement of S.W.A.T. Season 6, there had been affordable expectations that the crime drama would be picked up for at least a further season. Unbeknownst to fans, having said that, the predicament had changed drastically behind the scenes. Broadcast networks had been struggling to retain up with streaming and shows either faced the ax or dealt with salary cuts. For instance, Blue Bloods agreed to a 25 % salary reduction just to be capable to move forward with Season 14 (CBS has considering the fact that canceled the series, as well). Meanwhile, the extended-operating NCIS spinoff, NCIS: Los Angeles, got canceled soon after its personal 14-season run.

As for S.W.A.T., there had been currently some indicators of difficulty when Sony Television boss, Katherine Pope, informed CBS it couldn’t supply the network a decrease license charge for Season 6. CBS previously negotiated a lowered charge for S.W.A.T.’s earlier seasons, but not this time about. A couple of weeks later, the network presented Sony with a counteroffer: they would spend a larger licensing charge, but the show would only run for 13 episodes. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the supply wasn’t excellent adequate for Sony, and CBS at some point informed the studio that it was canceling S.W.A.T. When news of the show’s cancellation spread, it drew sturdy reactions from the fans, as effectively as Ryan and Moore. Ryan even later revealed that he was never ever informed about CBS’ counteroffer. The show’s co-creator then approached the network, informing them that he could, in reality, provide a shorter season.

CBS, in turn, agreed to reverse the cancelation, bringing back S.W.A.T. for what was understood to be the show’s final season. However, the network picked up the crime drama once more for Season 8. Whether S.W.A.T. will continue its run beyond the 2024 to 2025 season remains to be noticed, but the show has currently discovered life beyond broadcast following Sony’s deal with Netflix.

S.W.A.T. is offered to stream on Netflix in the U.S.

Watch on Netflix