Josh Weiner
Following CBS’s wave of cancellations in 2025 — including popular shows like NCIS: Hawai’i, Blue Bloods, and Elsinore — fan outrage has been loud and swift. Social media backlash, petitions for renewals, and falling live viewership have all raised a new question: Are CBS’s decisions hurting its ratings and reputation?
📉 Immediate Drop in Viewer Engagement
Initial data suggests that CBS’s prime-time viewership is slipping since the cancellations. Loyal fans of long-running franchises have expressed disinterest in the replacement shows, leading to:
- Lower live ratings for newer series
- Decreased engagement on CBS’s digital platforms
- A drop in social media sentiment, especially among the 35–64 demographic — a traditional CBS stronghold
Streaming spinoffs or exclusive Paramount+ replacements have not yet matched the popularity or loyalty that the canceled shows commanded on linear TV.
🔥 Fan Backlash Goes Public
Petitions on sites like Change.org calling for the return of canceled CBS shows have received tens of thousands of signatures. On X (formerly Twitter), hashtags like #SaveNCISHawaii and #BringBackBlueBloods trended in multiple regions.
Even some former CBS stars and writers have voiced support for the fan campaigns, questioning the network’s decision to cut shows that were still performing well and had strong syndication value.
💔 Trust Issues With CBS’s Core Audience
One of CBS’s biggest strengths has always been its loyal, older-skewing audience — viewers who tune in weekly and support procedural dramas with long runs. But the network’s shift toward short-run dramas, experimental comedies, and streaming-first priorities is alienating these core viewers.
Many feel CBS is abandoning its identity in a rush to chase younger, more “streaming-native” audiences. Whether that trade-off pays off remains to be seen.
📺 Replacements Are Struggling to Catch On
The new shows intended to replace canceled hits have seen mixed to weak ratings. Critics have panned several for being “rushed” or lacking the character development and heart that defined older CBS programming. Even with aggressive marketing, the new lineup has failed to create a breakout hit.
🧩 Paramount’s Bigger Gamble
It’s important to note that CBS’s strategy is not standalone — it’s part of Paramount Global’s pivot toward digital and international growth. Many of the replacement shows are designed to work across platforms or be rebooted into streaming-friendly versions on Paramount+. That means CBS may be willing to endure short-term viewer loss in hopes of long-term digital dominance.
Still, the backlash could cause reputational damage that’s hard to undo if the replacement strategy fails.
📣 Final Thought: Is CBS Listening?
If enough viewers leave and ratings continue to drop, CBS may need to recalibrate — potentially reviving fan-favorite shows via limited series, streaming specials, or reunion arcs. Networks like NBC and Fox have reversed course in the past due to fan campaigns (Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Lucifer, etc.), so it’s not out of the question.
In the short term, however, CBS is facing a viewer trust crisis — one that could shape the future of network TV in a streaming-first world.
