Fans of the Tom Selleck-led series, Blue Bloods, have a reason to look forward to more. Brian Robbins, co-CEO of Paramount Global, recently announced that the long-running show may continue in the form of a new spinoff.
Despite its steady success on both broadcast and streaming platforms, the unexpected announcement of the show’s cancellation last year left many in shock. This decision sparked a fervent campaign by loyal viewers, hoping to extend the life of their favorite drama, which is currently in its fourteenth season.
Per TVLine, the fervor of the fanbase was acknowledged in a recent revelation by Paramount Global co-CEO Robbins during the company’s annual stockholders meeting. The announcement places “Blue Bloods” alongside other popular series like Dexter and Billions, which are also set to expand their universes with new shows.
The path to Blue Bloods’ final season faced challenges during production. Reports suggest that the renewal for season 14 was secured only after intense negotiations, where CBS pushed for significant budget reductions. This economic pressure led to salary cuts across the board, which the cast and producers accepted in a collective effort to preserve the jobs of the show’s extensive crew and support staff. Despite these concessions, it was understood early on that the fourteenth season would likely be the series’ swan song.
The decision to end the series became more definite following an actors’ strike, which played a critical role in shaping the final episodes’ production and scheduling. Consequently, the fourteenth season was divided into two parts, with the latter half scheduled to begin airing in October, bringing the series to its ultimate conclusion.
Blue Bloods’ cancellation is part of a broader pattern affecting several long-standing shows across various networks, including The Good Doctor, Station 19, and NCIS: Hawaiʻi. The trend shows a shift in network strategies as they grapple with rising production costs against the diminishing advertising revenues and a decline in traditional live viewership. Networks are increasingly making tough choices, opting to conclude expensive long-runners in favor of fresher, potentially less costly endeavors.
Tom Selleck’s Optimism on Blue Bloods’ Future May Have Paid Off
The series star Tom Selleck voiced his optimism about the series’ potential future, despite CBS’s decision to draw the curtain on Blue Bloods. With the recent developments, Selleck’s faith may not be unfounded. During an interview with CBS News, the actor conveyed his belief that Blue Bloods, a show that has reliably drawn viewers for nearly a decade and a half, still holds substantial storytelling potential.
I will continue to think that CBS will come to their senses. We’re the third-highest scripted show in all of broadcast. We’re winning the night.
Amy Reisenbach, President of CBS Entertainment, has firmly stated that the series will indeed conclude this year. The decision sets a definitive endpoint to the series, despite Selleck’s hopeful remarks and the evident desire of the cast to continue their journey on screen. The actor said:
“All the cast wants to come back. And I can tell you this: we aren’t sliding off down a cliff. We’re doing good shows, and still holding our place. So, I don’t know. You tell me!”
With the recent announcement from Paramount’s boss, Selleck and the crew may still have something to hold on with the promise of a new spinoff.