Fourteen seasons is an impressive run for any television series, especially a police procedural like Blue Bloods, and although the end is sad, one of CBS’s decisions regarding the show’s final run of episodes softens the blow. The drama series premiered in September 2010 and immediately captured the attention of many. Blue Bloods season 1 averaged 13 million viewers, and the show continued pulling in amazing numbers, but it has been going down in recent seasons. Season 14 is averaging around 5.5 million viewers, and CBS believed it was time to pull the plug.
Many are upset that Blue Bloods has been officially canceled after season 14, seeing that the show has a passionate and dedicated fanbase who believe its cancelation is unwarranted. The police procedural continues telling intriguing and unique stories after 14 seasons and more than 280 episodes (which is uncommon), and some feel that it could have retained its greatness in a potential Blue Bloods season 15. Nevertheless, Blue Bloods won’t make it to episode 300, but the audience has time to prepare for the end.
Blue Bloods Season 14’s Two-Part Release Is Better Since It’s Being Canceled
CBS Split Season 14 Into Two Parts
The good news is that CBS is splitting Blue Bloods season 14 into two parts, the first of which will end in May 2024. Then, the drama series will take about a five-month break before returning with part 2 in October. As of the writing of this article, Blue Bloods season 14, part 1 has two episodes left, bringing its total to 10. Meanwhile, part 2 will contain eight episodes, meaning season 14’s total episode count is 18, the second-lowest for any season of the CBS show.
The reasons behind the cancelation are likely related to production costs since it’s filmed on location in New York and features high-profile actors.
At first, learning that CBS would chop Blue Bloods season 14’s story into two parts was frustrating because many are eager to see what happens next. However, now that it’s confirmed that season 14 is Blue Bloods’ last, the network’s decision regarding the two parts stretches out the end and postpones the series finale until December 2024. Of course, CBS reached this conclusion because of production delays related to the 2023 writers and actors strikes. But now, the police procedural will last a little bit longer and fans have time to prepare their goodbyes.
Why Blue Bloods Season 14 Is The Last One
Production Costs Likely Persuaded CBS To Cancel Blue Bloods
Even though the CBS drama has a strong and vocal fanbase (proven by its efforts to save Blue Bloods), the network made the tough call to end it after season 14. The reasons behind the cancelation are likely related to production costs since it’s filmed on location in New York and features high-profile actors. Consequently, the show is expensive, and CBS seemingly couldn’t justify spending the money on producing season 15. At least the series is prepared for the end and fans have more stories to look forward to, including the remaining episodes in Blue Bloods season 14, part 1.