With a phenomenal run of six seasons, CBS’ S.W.A.T has earned the reputation of being the “bubble show” as TVLine calls it for the viewers who have been its dedicated audience. The American police procedural television series revolves around Los Angeles Police Department Sergeant Daniel Harrelson and his unit.
Recently, the official network confirmed that the season 6 finale will be aired in episodes, with the first part premiering on Friday, May 12, 2023, from 8 to 9 p.m, while the second part will premiere the following week, on Friday, May 19, 2023, from 8 to 9 p.m. on CBS. As always, it will be later available for streaming on Paramount Plus.
Despite the network nearing the season’s ending and the show garnering dependable ratings, the series faces an uncertain road ahead.
The viewers are getting agitated over the delayed decision of the creators of the show to renew the season, especially when it has been airing on the official network for so long.
With that said, here’s the latest update on S.W.A.T Season 7 and it’s not what you think.
Has CBS renewed S.W.A.T for a seventh season?
In conversation with THR’s latest TV’s Top 5 podcast, longtime S.W.A.T executive producer and former day-to-day showrunner, Shawn Ryan discussed the future of a six-season-long American procedural show, while also discussing his new thriller, Netflix’s The Night Agent.
The executive producer was transparent in discussing the trends of broadcast television, which has led to the emergence of certain difficulties that impede the smooth renewal of S.W.A.T. for the seventh season. Ryan mentions how “the economics are completely different” and consequently, it might be difficult for the police show to come up for future episodes. He also reveals that it’s not a matter of ratings and that CBS will have to navigate through the procedures involved with Sony Pictures Television Studios, which aids in the production of the series:
“It’s not the same place; the economics are completely different. Right now, it’s up in the air whether S.W.A.T. will get picked up for a seventh season and that has nothing to do with ratings. You would never see that situation 15 years ago. S.W.A.T. is third in the demo at CBS; there’s no reason why the show shouldn’t be picked up other than the economics of the business are changing. CBS and Sony will or will not figure out a way to economically make a season seven work.”
How has the overall performance of S.W.A.T Season 6 impacted the renewal of the show?
According to TVLine, S.W.A.T season 6 has managed to garner 6.8 million total viewers, and “a 0.7 demo rating (with Live+7 playback) — up in viewers and off just a tenth in the demo compared to its Season 5 tallies. Out of the 14 dramas that CBS has aired this TV season, it ranks No. 10 in the total audience but is in a five-way tie for third in the demo, trailing only Fire Country and FBI.”
Based upon these fluctuating economics of TV, Ryan addresses the inadequacy of the ratings for episodes of S.W.A.T no matter how concrete and dependable they are. Much to the surprise of the network, a relatively low-rated series could also get renewed, surpassing a long-running drama, even when the latter possesses a considerable budget. This scenario can be associated with Blue Bloods, which is another CBS show that stars Tom Selleck.
Screen Rant contends, “Renewals, and the question of which programs have a chance to grow and evolve, have been questions asked of streamers like Netflix that have gained a reputation for their cancellations. But traditional broadcast networks, with dramas like S.W.A.T, are dealing with their own financial realities that aren’t as cut and dry as they once might’ve been.”
For more updates on S.W.A.T Season 7, stay tuned to Web News Observer!