Following the cancellations of FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International, many are holding out hope that other media outlets, like NBC, can save the shows, but it is quite improbable. CBS axed the two police procedures in early March 2025, which isn’t too surprising. The network has to make some tough decisions while planning its schedule for the 2025–2026 TV season, and, unfortunately, FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International didn’t make the cut. With highly anticipated spinoffs in the works and other series performing better than the FBI TV shows, canceling them was seemingly a no-brainer for CBS.
The two TV series are spinoffs of the hit police procedural FBI, which is in the midst of airing its seventh season and was renewed through nine seasons in 2024. So, although CBS’ FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International are (most likely) ending in the spring of 2025 after their respective sixth and fourth seasons, the FBI franchise lives on through its flagship series. The cancellations of FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International remain disappointing for many fans, though.
Why NBC Is FBI: Most Wanted & FBI: International’s Best Shot At Being Saved From CBS’ Cancelation
Dick Wolf Has Ties To NBC
Since CBS changing its mind and reversing the cancellations of FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International is out of the question, one of the two shows’ best bets is NBC. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time one network has picked up another network’s TV series. However, this scenario is more likely than others because of Dick Wolf.
TV legend Dick Wolf (the founder of Wolf Entertainment) has connections to both CBS and NBC. Wolf Entertainment produces all three FBI shows on CBS. Meanwhile, the TV production company is in charge of various series on NBC, including Law & Order, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, and Chicago Fire. So, Wolf’s ties to NBC suggest that it’s FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International’s best chance at being saved. However, NBC picking up both FBI spinoffs is still a shot in the dark.
NBC Is Unlikely To Pick Up FBI: Most Wanted & FBI: International After They Were Canceled
NBC Has Its Own Schedule To Worry About
Even if Dick Wolf wanted FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International to live on via NBC, it’s quite doubtful that the network would take a risk on them because NBC would run into the same problem that led to CBS canceling the spinoffs — a full schedule. As of the writing of this article, NBC has only renewed two shows, including St. Denis Medical and Happy’s Place. However, as May gets closer, the network will start renewing more of its original TV series, quickly limiting the space needed for two extra hour-long dramas.
If NBC can’t pick up new seasons of FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International, the two police procedurals’ last hope is Paramount+.
All three One Chicago TV shows — Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, and Chicago Fire — will undoubtedly have slots on NBC’s 2025–2026 programming schedule. As for other series, medical drama Brilliant Minds will likely continue following its strong first season, Law & Order and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’s renewals are safe bets, and Suits: LA could easily score a second season despite its slow start. Meanwhile, shows such as Found, The Irrational, Lopez vs. Lopez, and Night Court could continue throughout the 2025–2026 season. Plus, reality competitions like The Voice and Deal or No Deal Island will also find spots on NBC’s schedule.
NBC also has to consider which pilots (e.g. a comedy from Tina Fey starring Tracy Morgan) it wants to pick up for fall 2025/spring 2026. And it certainly doesn’t help that the network made a deal with the NBA to broadcast games during the 2025–2026 season. All of this is to say that NBC probably won’t have room for new episodes of FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International.
Can A Streamer Save FBI: Most Wanted & FBI: International?
Paramount+ Could Be The FBI Spinoff’s Last Hope
If NBC can’t pick up new seasons of FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International, the two police procedurals’ last hope is Paramount+. The good news is that this wouldn’t be the first time the streaming service has saved a CBS TV series (SEAL Team and Evil). The bad news is that Paramount+ hasn’t made a habit of picking up failed shows.
If CBS plans on moving the two FBI spinoffs to Paramount+, the network will have relayed that in the announcement of their cancellations. However, the streaming platform could be the TV series’ final chance. Since it’s so unlikely, though, fans shouldn’t get their hopes up and should prepare to say goodbye to FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International in May 2025.
