Fourth FBI Entry at CBS Spells Doom for Either FBI: International or FBI: Most Wanted’s Renewal Prospects
CBS has had an excellent season so far, so we’re surprised they’re still intent on bringing out spinoffs of some of their successful series.
We’ve had a new NCIS entry with NCIS Origins this season alone.
The Equalizer and The Neighborhood are also set to expand with their first spinoffs, but the latest development is that the FBI is gearing up to launch its fourth entry, seemingly while the other three shows are still on the air.
This makes us concerned about FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted.
The series is titled FBI: CIA and will air as a backdoor pilot on an upcoming episode of FBI in the spring.
We’ll learn about the focal characters and the plot ahead of a formal pickup, which should give CBS ample time to gauge whether viewers are hungry for another show.
FBI: The CIA is set to follow a dedicated, straight-laced FBI agent and a street-smart CIA agent who are part of a new, clandestine task force charged with solving and preventing domestic terrorism in and around New York City.
It doesn’t sound like it will break new ground regarding procedurals on broadcast TV, but CBS is very in tune with what its viewers watch, as evidenced by the success of long-running franchises like NCIS and, of course, FBI.
It’s not uncommon for spinoffs to come and go, but the mothership remains intact.
Look at NCIS, which has lost NCIS: Hawai’i, NCIS: Los Angeles, and NCIS: New Orleans.
The mainline NCIS may be effectively a spinoff nowadays because it has lost the bulk of its original stars, but it keeps that show alive, and for now, there’s value in that.
FBI is The Main Attraction of the Franchise
FBI scored a three-season renewal last year, while FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted were given one-season renewals because those two shows haven’t broken out the same way the original has, domestically and internationally.
As a result, there’s every reason to believe that CBS will keep the mothership alive for longer than the spinoffs.
There’s no way CBS will proceed with four shows in the FBI universe next season, not when Matlock and Elsbeth have emerged as dominant performers and so many other shows are prepping spinoffs.
There will be a lack of real estate on the schedule.
CBS sacrificed NCIS: Hawai’i for NCIS: Origins, and we should expect a similar scenario here.
The big question is which show will get the pink slip.
FBI: Most Wanted has been a mess in the creativity department amid continued cast departures. It’s difficult for viewers to remain invested when characters disappear without a satisfying goodbye arc.
Yes, procedural shows are known for their revolving door, but FBI: Most Wanted has been worse than any show in recent memory.
Why FBI: International Has the Edge for Renewal over FBI: Most Wanted
FBI: International has had a revamp this season.
FBI: International Season 4 is a bit ahead of FBI: Most Wanted in the ratings and comes in at a drastically lower price tag because it is filmed across Europe, which means it has the edge when it comes down to the two shows fighting for renewal.
But both shows could go because CBS is actively revamping its schedule in an attempt to remain competitive as we head into the 2025-26 TV season.
Elsbeth and Matlock may not be making significant impacts in the traditional ratings, but each show adds colossal numbers in live + 7 viewing, outpacing much of the network’s other offerings.
It will be a nail-biting couple of months for all CBS series, but we should get answers relatively soon.
Sadly, there’s a chance we won’t get any resolution if either FBI spinoff gets canceled because of the way NCIS: Hawai’i was treated.
The cliffhanger ending was a slap in the face to the millions of viewers who followed it every week.
How do you think a fourth FBI series affects FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted?
Which of these shows would you sacrifice to bring in a new story?
Vote below and hit the comments with why your favorite deserves another show.
