CBS is no stranger to creating hit TV shows that become staples in American households. But in a twist that’s left fans scratching their heads, the network recently attempted to shop two popular series—So Help Me Todd and NCIS: Hawaii—to other platforms. The result? Crickets. No takers. Nothing. Let’s break down exactly what happened, why these shows were on the chopping block, and what it means for the future of broadcast television.
📺 Why Were These Shows Up for Grabs in the First Place?
CBS wasn’t just tossing shows overboard for fun. There were strategic (and let’s be honest, financial) reasons behind this decision.
The Cost vs. Ratings Dilemma
Both So Help Me Todd and NCIS: Hawaii had respectable fan bases, but viewership alone doesn’t always guarantee survival. The cost of production compared to the ad revenue these shows brought in just didn’t balance out.
Shifting Priorities in Network Programming
Broadcast networks are evolving. CBS is pivoting more toward reality TV, cheaper productions, and streaming ventures. Scripted dramas, especially mid-tier performers, are the first to feel the squeeze.
🔍 Why Didn’t Any Streamers or Networks Bite?
Streaming Wars Are Cooling Off
Remember when Netflix and Amazon Prime were snatching up every show they could get their hands on? Yeah, those days are gone. The current landscape is more conservative, with platforms focusing on in-house productions and cutting back on external acquisitions.
Brand Identity Clash
Platforms like Hulu, Netflix, or even Apple TV+ are building specific identities. A procedural like NCIS: Hawaii might not align with the gritty, edgy tone Netflix is curating, and So Help Me Todd may have been considered too niche or traditional.
Licensing and Ownership Nightmares
Ownership rights, licensing fees, and international distribution contracts can turn a show into a legal labyrinth. For many streamers, acquiring these shows just wasn’t worth the headache.
💔 The Fan Reactions: Disbelief and Frustration
The online reaction was swift. Twitter (or X, if you prefer) was flooded with fans expressing shock, disappointment, and confusion. After all, both shows had growing audiences and passionate fanbases.
Has CBS Forgotten Loyalty?
Longtime fans are wondering whether CBS truly values the communities that grow around these series. Canceling without proper closure feels like a slap in the face.
A Pattern of Premature Cancellations?
Fans pointed out this isn’t the first time CBS has axed a show just as it was finding its footing—remember The Code or Madam Secretary?
💡 So, What Could CBS Have Done Differently?
Better Promotion
So Help Me Todd never got the marketing push it needed. With quirky writing and unique characters, it could’ve pulled a Brooklyn Nine-Nine if given more time and exposure.
Strategic Streaming Placement
Had CBS bundled the shows as Paramount+ exclusives from the start, they might’ve driven up subscriptions and kept everything in-house.
Listen to the Audience
Fan campaigns have revived shows before (Lucifer and Brooklyn Nine-Nine were famously saved). CBS could have tapped into that grassroots energy before making such a drastic move.
🎯 What Does This Say About the State of TV?
We’re Entering a New Era of Content Curation
Networks and streamers are getting pickier. It’s no longer about quantity; it’s about alignment, retention, and ROI.
Procedural Dramas Are Losing Ground
As much as NCIS and Law & Order defined a generation, they’re struggling to maintain relevance among Gen Z and younger Millennials hooked on bingeable, serialized storytelling.
📉 The Bigger Picture: Broadcast vs. Streaming
CBS and the Legacy Media Crisis
Legacy networks like CBS are trying to compete in a streaming-first world. That means gutting anything that doesn’t deliver immediate returns.
Viewer Habits Have Changed
We no longer wait weekly for episodes. We want full seasons, smart plots, and cliffhangers. Shows like So Help Me Todd may not fit that mold.
🧠 The Irony of “Too Safe to Succeed”
CBS might’ve played it too safe. So Help Me Todd was quirky but not groundbreaking. NCIS: Hawaii tried diversity but stayed formulaic. In today’s TV landscape, safe can be the kiss of death.
💬 What Industry Insiders Are Saying
Word on the street? Executives were shocked no deals came through. One unnamed insider even called it “a reality check for the broadcast model.” Ouch.
🚨 Will Other Shows Be Next?
Watch Out for Mid-Tier Ratings
If your favorite CBS show isn’t pulling in blockbuster numbers, it might be next in line. Think: FBI: International, Blue Bloods, etc.
The CBS Strategy Is Clear
Lean into unscripted shows, IP-based spinoffs, and star-powered miniseries. Everything else is expendable.
✨ Could These Shows Still Find a New Home?
It’s unlikely—but never say never. Fan petitions are already circulating. If there’s enough noise, maybe a smaller streamer (Tubi? Roku?) will take a chance.
📌 Final Thoughts: TV Is Evolving, and So Must We
This situation is a wake-up call for everyone—from networks to viewers. The content game is changing fast, and loyalty to a show or network might not mean much anymore. It’s all about numbers, brand fit, and timing. For So Help Me Todd and NCIS: Hawaii, the stars just didn’t align.
