UPDATE 4:15 PM: It’s a done deal. CBS has confirmed through a statement that Deadline is receiving a grace period with an extension for a seventh and final season, exclusively through the canceled SWAT. (You can read it below.) Star Shemar Moore has been added as executive producer. Primetime Panic
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EXCLUSIVE 3 PM: SWAT may be down, but not out. The drama, which was canceled Friday after six seasons, would return on CBS for a seventh season, which would be its last, sources tell Deadline.
I hear renewal talks between CBS and SWAT main studio Sony Pictures Television resumed on Friday, shortly after the series starring Shemar Moore was officially canceled, with the news immediately following from the fans who rallied behind the popular show faced backlash.
Talks continued over the weekend into Monday, focusing on a seventh and final 13-episode season of SWAT Resolution, which is expected by the end of the day; CBS is expected to release its fall schedule on Wednesday, May 10th.
“We listened to our viewers and their passion for SWAT, and reached an agreement to renew it for a final 13-episode season to air in the 2023-2024 air year,” said Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment, and Katherine Pope , President of Sony Pictures Television Studios, said in a joint statement. “SWAT aired on CBS for six seasons and has garnered a loyal following. We’re glad we found a way to bring it back and complete the show’s storylines and characters, which audiences deserve. Once again, we appreciate the talents and efforts of the cast, writers, producers and crew and everyone who contributed to the success of SWAT. We look forward to his return next season.”
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Deliberately — or not — Moore hinted at a possible reversal of his emotional response to Friday night’s cancellation on Instagram.
“It’s all about the money, y’all. They said we were cancelled, but guess what I think we’re not done yet,” he said in a video message to fans. “CBS will either wake up and realize they made a mistake. Sony will do the math and determine that this is not the right move. I hope we can have a kumbaya and get back together and continue this show because it’s a good time for families around the world.”
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While a reversal of the SWAT cancellation would be cause for celebration for fans of the long-running trial whose ending was a business decision, it may not be good news for the Newman cop drama East New York, starring Amanda Warren.
Renewal negotiations between CBS and East New York-based lead studio Warner Bros. TV have also been rocky – in addition to financial problems, they also included a dispute over additional streaming rights that CBS had applied for for the series. Negotiations are advanced and ongoing, but I’ve heard that SWAT and East New York may be competing for a spot. Both are rare radio dramas starring black protagonists.
Canceled series finding new homes are more common; A network reversing its cancellation decision is rare. Coincidentally – or not – three previous cases involved Sony TV series: Timeless on NBC (co-created/executive producer by SWAT Executive Producer/Showrunner Shawn Ryan), Drop Dead Diva on Lifetime, and Breaking In on Fox.
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As Deadline reported Friday, Sony was unwilling to accept another SWAT renewal at a flat royalty because it would jeopardize the show’s financial model. CBS eventually increased the license fee, but the offer came with a cut in the order, which would have pushed up the per-episode budget even more and further hurt the show’s economics.
That part is now being sorted out as I hear production leads on both sides feel all avenues have not been explored to make a renewal work.
SWAT is seeing a resurgence in ratings. After being postponed to Friday, the law enforcement drama thrived, posting rare double-digit linear viewership growth year-on-year. A heavy-duty 8 p.m. host, SWAT helped revitalize CBS’ Friday drama lineup and launch new breakout hit Fire Country.
Part 2 of SWAT Season 6 finale airs Friday, May 19 on CBS.