After the continued backlash about the cancellation of NCIS: Hawai’i and other beloved series, CBS Entertainment president Amy Reisenbach defends their decision in new comments. Weeks after the shortened 2023-2024 season wrapped up, conversations about the unexpected endings for some shows are persisting. Network TV was significantly delayed due to the dual Hollywood strikes of 2023. CBS went on a cancelation spree, and understandably, that didn’t sit well with some of their most loyal viewers.
CBS pulled the plug on fan favorites such as NCIS: Hawai’i, So Help Me Todd, and CSI: Las Vegas despite the shows having decent viewership ratings, which has baffled those who love the said shows. While Reisenbach is sympathetic to the public’s emotions over these cancelations, she stands by them while in attendance at the Banff World Media Festival (via Variety). Read her full quote below:
I’m a big fan of TV first and I sympathize and relate to all of the fans out there who are disappointed in the fact that these shows are ending. But at the end of the day, our job at CBS is to make those really tough calls. We toss and turn and have sleepless nights and have endless discussions, but we look at all of the numbers. We look at what our projections are for the future, we look at where we see opportunities to potentially have even bigger success on the schedule.
Why NCIS: Hawai’i’s Cancellation Was Particularly Frustrating For Viewers
Among CBS’ Canceled Shows, The Network Got The Biggest Backlash From NCIS: Hawai’i’s End
All three cancellations have their respective criticisms, that said, the outcry over NCIS: Hawai’i is arguably the loudest, and there are a few reasons for this. The latest local spinoff from the evolving NCIS universe, NCIS: Hawai’i ranked as the 16th overall most-watched series during the 2023-2024 season, significantly climbing in the charts from its previous year. This indicated growth in its viewership and popularity, which could have been enough reason for CBS to continue the project. For context, this is the NCIS series that was on the air the shortest period of time.
There’s also the issue of NCIS: Hawai’i season 3’s cliffhanger ending. The show wrapped up with the season-long case finally resolved, but in its closing moments, Jane Tennant came home to find Maggie Shaw waiting for her. The police procedural wrapped up before it could reveal what their reunion was building towards, but it was likely going to be the primary arc for the canned season 4. Now, NCIS: Hawai’i has a big unresolved storyline that will likely never be addressed. This taints the project’s run as a whole.
Finally, while NCIS: Hawai’i is cancelled, it is going to be replaced by a brand-new spinoff from the franchise. Taking over its original spot and following the NCIS season 22 broadcast is NCIS: Origins, which will tackle the beginnings of Leroy Jethro Gibbs in the agency. Admittedly, it is an interesting concept, especially since Mark Harmon is involved. But it shouldn’t have been done if it meant sacrificing an ongoing and objectively successful procedural.