CBS’ Attempt at a Blue Bloods Replacement Backfired Spectacularly (& Led to Another Show’s Cancellation)

Blue Bloods was an incredibly successful show that dominated the entire CBS network throughout the 2010s. Having first aired in 2010, the show introduced audiences to the Reagan family, which consisted almost entirely of law enforcement officers. Their unique bond — and the family dinners that came with it — propelled the show into popularity. It was undoubtedly carried by its main stars, which included Tom Selleck (Frank), Donnie Wahlberg (Danny), Bridget Moynahan (Erin), Will Estes (Jamie), Len Cariou (Henry), and more. With their support, it became a long-lasting and beloved police procedural.

Every episode drew millions of viewers, with the show peaking at around 14 million. Considering that the show endured through a time when popular media was gradually shifting to a streaming-centric distribution strategy, it remained a standard network TV show that generally endured, despite waning audience interest in other shows. It was a unique and remarkable series, and CBS has been hoping to recapture that success. Unfortunately, filling that coveted Friday at 10:00 PM ET time slot has proven to be more difficult than the network expected.

Blue Bloods Was Recently Canceled

The Show Ended After 14 Seasons

Despite generally maintaining its quality throughout its long run, Blue Bloods was never meant to last forever. The show nearly met its end after season 13, but the cast and crew agreed to a substantial pay cut to ensure that the series would continue. Their efforts only delayed the inevitable, as CBS ordered the cancellation, giving enough space for the show to develop Blue Bloods Season 14’s dramatic finale. Season 14, episode 18, “End of Tour” brought the series to a close on December 13, 2024. It was the 293rd episode of the show, and it ended as the show lived: Around the dinner table.