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“Shocking Cancellation: CBS Unveils the Hidden Reasons Behind Axing FBI International and FBI Most Wanted!”

Added on March 4, 2025 inEntertainment News Cards, TV News Cards

All season long, the rumor mill was churning, and fans couldn’t shake the feeling that one of the FBI spinoffs was headed for cancellation—kind of like when you realize your favorite snack has been discontinued. Well, it turns out the whispers were right on the money. CBS pulled the trigger and officially axed both FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted—talk about a dramatic plot twist! In true shock-and-awe style, the network waved goodbye to these two series on Tuesday afternoon, sending fans into a frenzy.

These shows were supposed to promise suspense and intrigue, and yet, here we are—left wondering why the FBI can crack down on criminals but can’t protect its own television lineup. With FBI: International wrapping up its fourth and FBI: Most Wanted concluding its sixth season, viewers are left straddling the fence between disappointment and relief, given that at least they might get some closure. So, what gives? When it feels like CBS just played a game of musical chairs and left these two shows standing without a seat, it raises valid questions about the future of the network’s programming. Is it a casual phase-out, or are we witnessing a larger trend in television cancellations? If that’s the case, what’s next on the chopping block?

Join the conversation as we dig into this cinematic conundrum that’s left fans reeling! LEARN MORE.

All season long, there were rumblings that one of the FBI spinoffs were destined for cancellation.

The negative buzz surrounding the fates of both FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted were both right.

CBS said, “Hold my beer,” and swung the hatchet on both shows on Tuesday afternoon.

(Nelly Kiss/CBS )

The unprecedented move means FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted will conclude with their fourth and sixth seasons, respectively.

The only silver lining in this messy decision is that both series will likely get some form of closure.

(Nelly Kiss/CBS)

CBS was skewered last season for canceling NCIS: Hawai’i after three seasons, despite robust ratings, ending the Vanessa Lachey drama on a doozy of a cliffhanger.

Speaking of ratings, both FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted had decent numbers by broadcast TV standards.

FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted Were in Danger

Questions about both spinoffs emerged when news broke that FBI: CIA, a third spinoff, was in the works.

CBS had already been on a renewal spree and picked up some spinoffs of other popular series for the 2025-26 season, so schedule space was closing up by the day.

(Mark Schafer/CBS)

FBI: Most Wanted was initially a robust entry, but it faltered when it lost the bulk of its series regulars and had unsatisfying final arcs.

When Dylan McDermott was shoehorned in as the team’s leader, the damage was already done.

Producers made a good decision to transplant FBI’s Shantel VanSanten on Most Wanted, but the series has aimlessly progressed over the last few years.

It was just waiting to be put out of its misery.

(Nelly Kiss/CBS)

As for FBI: International, it has had a creatively strong run over four seasons.

The addition of Jesse Lee Soffer this season has taken some getting used to, but the rest of the characters have been great.

CBS is Poised to Make More Controversial Decisions

Despite both series being cancelled, many of the characters will likely appear elsewhere.

That said, the cancellations don’t bode well for The Equalizer and S.W.A.T.

(Courtesy of CBS)

The long-running dramas missed out on early renewals last month, indicating that CBS was crafting a new schedule without them.

As we keep saying, the broadcast TV industry is in an uncertain place due to continued obstacles, such as lower viewership.

Without content generating enough money from linear alone, predicting what will happen is more difficult.

These cancellations set a worrying precedent. That’s for sure.

(Courtesy of CBS)

What are your thoughts on CBS binning both FBI spinoffs?

Do you think it’s a slap in the face to replace them with another spinoff?

Hit the comments.

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