In a significant shake-up of its primetime lineup, CBS announced in March 2025 that it would be canceling two of its popular FBI franchise spin-offs: “FBI: Most Wanted” and “FBI: International”. The decision marks the end of the Fugitive Task Force and the Fly Team’s operations on CBS, concluding their runs after six and four seasons, respectively.
Reasons Behind the Cancellations
While CBS has not provided an official statement detailing the reasons for the cancellations, industry insiders point to several factors:
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Budget Constraints: Both FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International were among CBS’s more expensive productions. FBI: International filmed on location in Europe, incurring higher travel and location costs. FBI: Most Wanted required frequent on-location shoots across the U.S., adding to its production expenses.
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Declining Viewership: Despite maintaining solid viewership numbers, both shows experienced a 10% drop in ratings compared to previous seasons. FBI: Most Wanted averaged 6.5 million viewers per episode, while FBI: International had 6.53 million viewers.
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Strategic Programming Decisions: CBS is reportedly focusing on new projects and has announced a new spin-off, “FBI: CIA”, which is set to premiere in the 2025–2026 season. The network’s decision to cancel the two spin-offs may be part of a broader strategy to streamline its programming lineup.
The Future of the FBI Franchise
Despite these cancellations, the original FBI series remains a strong performer for CBS. The network has renewed the flagship show through the 2026–2027 season, ensuring its continued presence on Tuesday nights.
Additionally, CBS is moving forward with the development of FBI: CIA, a new spin-off that will focus on a partnership between an FBI agent and a CIA operative tackling domestic terrorism in New York City. The series is set to debut later in 2025 and is expected to bring a fresh dynamic to the FBI franchise.
Reception and Impact
The cancellations have elicited strong reactions from fans and critics alike. Many expressed disappointment over the end of the two spin-offs, highlighting their unique contributions to the franchise. Some fans have speculated about the possibility of the canceled shows finding new homes on streaming platforms or other networks, though no official announcements have been made regarding such moves.
As CBS continues to evolve its programming strategy, the future of the FBI franchise appears to be shifting towards new narratives and characters. The success of FBI: CIA will likely play a pivotal role in determining the direction of the franchise in the coming years.
