It’s now been over six months since the last episode of Blue Bloods was released on CBS, but that hasn’t stopped fans of the show from enjoying it. Blue Bloods tells the story of the Reagans, a family of New York City police officers who deal with personal and professional challenges every day. The show released a new season every year from 2010-2024, but it was announced at the end of last year that Blue Bloods Season 14 would be its last. However, fans have continued to flock to the series in the months since it went off the air, helping it reach #8 on Paramount+ streaming charts at the time of writing. Blue Bloods has even surpassed MobLand, the latest crime thriller series from Guy Ritchie starring Tom Hardy and Pierce Brosnan that just went off the air at the start of June.
Blue Bloods’ streaming success can partially be credited to the passionate fan base who hasn’t quite been able to let go of the series, but it’s also due to the wait for the looming Boston Blue spin-off getting closer by the day. It was announced earlier this year that Donnie Wahlberg would reprise his role as Danny Reagan in Boston Blue, which will bring the actor to his hometown. The show has been steadily building out its ensemble over the last few weeks, with names such as Maggie Lawson, Marcus Scribner, Gloria Reuben, Ernie Hudson, and Sonequa Martin-Green all attached to star. CBS has yet to assign Boston Blue an official release date, but the show is expected to air on the network later this year before it begins streaming on Paramount+.
What Else Is Streaming on Paramount+ Right Now?
The most popular TV show on Paramount+ right now is Criminal Minds: Evolution, which is followed closely by NCIS and The Chi. Ghosts has also earned a spot in the Paramount+ top 10. As for movies, Jack Quaid’s Novocaine has been the most popular film on Paramount+ since it made its streaming debut last month, and Sonic the Hedgehog 3, which features the franchise debut of Keanu Reeves, has also been a hit for months. The Nice Guys, starring Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling, has also found success on Paramount+ lately, along with Mean Girls.
Blue Bloods is one of the most popular shows in the world on Paramount+. Stay tuned to Collider for more streaming updates and coverage of Boston Blue.
Ever thought you knew your streaming hierarchy? Think again. CBS’s police procedural Blue Bloods—even in its final season—has bulldozed Guy Ritchie’s freshly dropped crime thriller to claim the top spot on the streaming charts. With fans buzzing not only about the ratings but also about an impending spin-off, this showdown is more than just numbers—it’s a cultural moment.Head-to-Head: Blue Bloods vs. Ritchie’s Thriller
★★★★★ Streaming Numbers That Speak Volumes
While specific viewership stats are guarded secrets, insider reports confirm that Blue Bloods outranked the new crime thriller directed by Guy Ritchie within its first two weeks of release. Ritchie’s latest effort—while flashily marketed—lagged far behind the long-proven charm of the Reagan family saga.
✅ Why Blue Bloods Had the Edge
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Legacy and Loyalty: Fourteen seasons, decades of family drama—and viewers aren’t ready to say goodbye.
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Comfort in Ritual: Sunday night dinners with Frank Reagan feel like home; Ritchie’s thriller didn’t offer that familiarity.
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Character Investment: Fans have grown attached to the Reagans. A brand-new story lacks that emotional baseline.
Spin‑Off Hype: Are We Finally Getting a Follow-Up?
🔔 Paramount Drops a Hint
At a June 2024 shareholder meeting, Paramount Global’s co-CEO Brian Robbins confirmed that franchise extensions for “Dexter, Billions, and Blue Bloods” are on the way screenrant.com+12collider.com+12aol.com+12screenrant.comhellomagazine.com+2vpnranks.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2. Talk about affirmation. Then in February 2025, CBS officially handed a straight-to-series order to a Blue Bloods spin-off — tentatively titled Boston Blue, starring Donnie Wahlberg en.wikipedia.org.
🎬 Who’s In, What’s Coming
The spin-off centers on Danny Reagan (Donnie Wahlberg), who’s also serving as an executive producer screenrant.com+3reddit.com+3hellomagazine.com+3. More details about the storyline and cast remain under wraps. But if Boston Blue lives up to its title, expect the Reagan legacy to expand—possibly taking place in Boston with new cases and familiar family values in tow.
Why the Timing Is Perfect
🏁 Riding the Wave of Finale Fever
Blue Bloods wrap-up episodes aired December 2024, leaving fans hungry for more. The perfect moment to announce Boston Blue.
📈 Ratings Boom
The show consistently ranked as CBS’s #8 most-watched series in its final season, even outperforming newer programs reddit.com+2aol.com+2cynopsis.com+2.
📺 A Franchise-Friendly Industry
With Dexter and Billions spawning spin-offs, TV is chasing what works—past glory and built-in fanbases.
What Spin‑Off Format Fans Are Predicting
1. Danny’s New Journey
Think Law & Order: OC but Reagan-style, with Danny leading homicide or detective teams. Fans on Reddit dream about pairing him with new characters or even moving him outside NYC aol.com+1collider.com+1reddit.com.
2. Prequel Possibility
Another Reddit favorite: a prequel featuring younger Henry Reagan, offering gritty 1970s policing vibes and fresh context for the Reagan legacy screenrant.com+1reddit.com+1.
3. Female-Driven Spin‑Off
Many believe that Erin Reagan (Bridget Moynahan) could headline her own legal-leaning procedural—giving prominence to a woman-powered crime-solving narrative cynopsis.com+11collider.com+11vpnranks.com+11.
4. FDNY Crossover
Remember Mira Sorvino’s Fire Commissioner cameo? CBS even dropped hints in final season plotlines about possibly exploring the FDNY side of things onechicagocenter.com+1reddit.com+1.
Potential Pitfalls: Can the Spin‑Off Deliver?
⚠️ Pilot Syndrome
Network prequels often leak vital twists prematurely, leaving little to explore once the show goes full series.
🤝 Casting & Chemistry Risks
Danny without familiar faces like Baez, Erin, Frank, and Jamie? That franchise glue might vanish—risking audience engagement.
💰 Budget vs. Reality
CBS pulled the plug on Blue Bloods partly due to cost. A spin-off must be leaner without losing essence.
How Fans Are Feeling
Reddit reactions range from excitement to skepticism—and even frustration. One user noted:
“Blue Bloods is a great show everybody I know watches it and is very sad that it’s ending.” cynopsis.com+7reddit.com+7vpnranks.com+7
Another lamented the network’s preference for reality television, claiming it edged out meaningful family drama .
That pull of nostalgia, community, and authentic storytelling is what Boston Blue must capture—or risk failing at its legacy.
Will Boston Blue Hit Streaming or Broadcast?
Given Paramount’s streaming strategy, early episodes may premiere on Paramount+, followed by CBS network broadcasts. It’s the hybrid model: streaming-first to drive subscriptions, network airing to sustain ad revenue.
What to Watch for Next
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Cast confirmation: Will Bridget Moynahan, Will Estes, Marisa Ramirez, or others cameo?
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Premise leak: Boston or NYC? New precinct or legal office setup?
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Tone and style: Gritty detective vs. family-rooted procedural.
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Release timeline: Fall 2025 is rumored—but CBS could surprise.
Conclusion: A Winning Formula If Done Right
Blue Bloods beating Guy Ritchie on the charts proves one truth: audiences crave character-rich, emotionally resonant crime drama. Now, with Boston Blue in development, CBS and Paramount have a shot to capitalize on that edge. Done well, it could reignite the Reagan tradition—and redefine what it means to build a modern crime franchise.
