NBC might be able to save FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International after CBS’ surprising decision to cancel both series. For the past four years, CBS has aired all three FBI series on Tuesdays. FBI: Most Wanted features the Fugitive Task Force, which goes after dangerous criminals who have gone on the run, while FBI: International is about the elite Fly Team, which handles international crimes that affect the United States. Shockingly, both shows became the latest series that CBS has canceled for the 2025-2026 TV season, even though they are among the network’s most popular offerings.
CBS recently announced that it had greenlit a new spinoff, FBI: CIA, which led to widespread speculation that one of the other spinoffs would be shown the door, as there would not be room on the schedule for all four to air in one night. While there are several reasons why CBS canceled FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted, the decision has upset the shows’ large fanbases. However, not all hope is lost, as producer Dick Wolf has a long history with NBC that could perhaps get the two spinoffs saved.
FBI: Most Wanted & International Cancelation By CBS Explained
Both Shows Will End Permanently In May 2025
CBS’ stated reason for canceling these two shows is that their ratings have taken a significant dip since the shortened 2024 season (via TVLine). Both shows have lost about 10% of their viewers from last year, averaging only 6.5 million viewers per episode. Since several other shows are higher-rated, it makes economic sense for CBS to cancel these two series. Furthermore, the network needed to make room for FBI: CIA on its schedule in the fall, so at least one of the FBI shows was likely to be canceled or moved to streaming-only status.CBS’ stated reason for canceling these two shows is that their ratings have taken a significant dip since the shortened 2024 season (via TVLine). Both shows have lost about 10% of their viewers from last year, averaging only 6.5 million viewers per episode. Since several other shows are higher-rated, it makes economic sense for CBS to cancel these two series. Furthermore, the network needed to make room for FBI: CIA on its schedule in the fall, so at least one of the FBI shows was likely to be canceled or moved to streaming-only status.
That said, CBS’ cancellation of these shows is frustrating for several reasons. Each show has a strongly loyal fanbase, making this situation similar to CBS’ disappointing decision to cancel Blue Bloods despite its popularity. Additionally, FBI: Most Wanted’s Nina Chase is raising a child with FBI’s Stuart Scola, and there is not yet any news on how that relationship will be handled now that Nina’s show is wrapping up. FBI: International gets a new head of the Fly Team this season, which seems pointless now that the show is ending after his first year on it.
Why NBC Is The Best Network To Save Dick Wolf’s Canceled FBI Shows
The Entertainment Giant Already Has Two Successful Franchises On The Network
The FBI franchise is produced by Dick Wolf Entertainment, which also produces the One Chicago shows and the Law and Order franchise. All of the shows in the One Chicago franchise have been on for over a decade, while Law & Order and Law & Order: SVU both have over 20 years’ worth of shows under their belts. Thus, while Dick Wolf Entertainment has occasionally had a show that failed, it has one of the strongest track records in the business, meaning NBC may be willing to take a chance on the canceled FBI shows.
Surprisingly, the only reason NBC passed on FBI seven years ago is that there wasn’t space in its schedule that year (via THR). NBC could thus make up for its previous inability to broadcast FBI by adopting the two canceled spinoffs. NBC also has the option of using these spinoffs to bolster interest in its Peacock streaming service by making one or both a streaming-only series, as it has done with two of its scripted series — Law & Order: Organized Crime and Days of Our Lives.
What Are The Chances Of NBC Saving FBI: Most Wanted & International
Finding Room In Its Schedule For Two Shows May Be Challenging
The biggest impediment to NBC taking these shows on is the same one that stopped it from greenlighting FBI in the first place: finding room in its schedule. It isn’t easy to find a two-hour block free in NBC’s schedule — additionally, its primetime lineup will look different in the fall, as some shows will be canceled and others will be airing for the first time. However, there are likely ways to make this work.
Currently, Mondays seems like the best bet for the two FBI shows. NBC’s Spring 2025 decision to air The Voice at 7 pm ET instead of 8 PM ET could potentially open up a two-hour block after the singing competition show. The Hunting Party is not likely to be renewed, but if it is, it could be moved to Tuesday to make room for FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International.
That said, if Brilliant Minds, The Irrational, and Found are all renewed, NBC will need to find a place for them, and the final hours of Monday and Tuesday seem to be the only free spots. Wednesdays and Thursdays are taken up with One Chicago and the Law and Order franchise, plus Found, and Fridays are not possible because of Dateline NBC. Thus, if NBC wants to take on the FBI shows, it likely will have to pass on one or more of these other dramas.
Can FBI: Most Wanted & International Land On A Streaming Platform Instead?
NBC Owns Peacock And Is Already Experimenting With Using It For Network TV
The Peacock streaming service could help NBC sidestep scheduling issues. Shows that are exclusive to Peacock simply need to be made available on the streamer on a given day of the week; the audience can then watch anytime after release that is convenient for them. NBC has already begun exploring this possibility. It successfully moved its sole survivor soap opera, Days of Our Lives, to streaming-only in 2022 and will also stream Law & Order: Organized Crime season 5 beginning in April 2025.
CBS also has a streaming service, Paramount+, that has had some successful original series, such as The Good Fight, 1923, and Criminal Minds: Evolution. However, since CBS already canceled FBI: Most Wanted and FBI International, it’s not likely its streaming platform will take the series on. NBC might be more open to it, as this would allow it to stream all current Dick Wolf shows on Peacock except the original FBI.
That said, streaming FBI: Most Wanted or FBI: International is risky. Not everyone who watches the show is currently subscribed to Peacock, and that part of the audience that isn’t might balk at the idea of paying extra to access these spinoffs, especially if they aren’t interested in the platform’s other offerings. Of course, streaming these shows is better than not having them available at all. It may be worth the risk of taking part of the franchise to streaming if it means viewers can still enjoy new seasons of these FBI spinoffs.
