All the renewed CBS shows NCIS: Hawaii was above in the linear ratings

I don’t mind cancellations happening when they can be justified. Linear ratings do still matter when it comes to a business. However, there are times that cancellations don’t make sense, and the cancellation of NCIS: Hawaii is one of them.

Part of the reason CBS claims the cancellation happened was due to linear ratings. There wasn’t the shelf space, apparently, and so the lower performers had to go. And sadly, that was the case for CSI: Vegas and So Help Me Todd. The two shows were toward the bottom of the CBS dramas.

NCIS: Hawaii wasn’t. The claims of linear ratings don’t hold weight when NCIS: Sydney Season 2 will get a linear slot despite having lower linear ratings compared to NCIS: Hawaii. It’s also not the only show that has been renewed with lower linear ratings.

SWAT, Fire Country, and more

The average demo rating is behind a lot of other shows, according to TV Series Finale. The only renewed shows that NCIS: Hawaii is ahead of is Elsbeth. The UK version of Ghosts doesn’t really count as that series was a pandemic placement, the show has already been renewed in the UK, and there are no guarantees the third season will air on CBS.

The demo figures are important. They are the 18-49 demographic that the advertisers look at. However, a lot of CBS shows are geared toward the older audiences. It’s important to look at the total figures to see that NCIS: Hawaii at least deserved a half season to wrap up storylines.

In the average audience numbers, NCIS: Hawaii sat in ninth place out of all the scripted shows in the 2023–2024 season. It was behind the likes of Tracker, NCIS, FBI, and FBI: International. Interestingly, it was just behind Blue Bloods, another series that is coming to an end and fans argue should be allowed to stick around. It’s clearly not a ratings thing for CBS.

So, what’s underneath? Here’s a look at all the renewed CBS shows that were underneath. Again, we’re not counting Ghosts as the show is already ready to go and there’s still no guarantee that CBS will bring more of that.

NCIS: Hawaii beat:

Fire Country
NCIS: Sydney
The Neighborhood
FBI: Most Wanted
SWAT
Elsbeth

We can’t really compare a comedy to a drama as they do take up different timeslots. However, there are five dramas that NCIS: Hawaii performed better than. One of those was supposed to be a Paramount+ series and not get a linear spot. NCIS: Sydney got a linear spot purely because of the pandemic, and now it’s taken shelf space instead of allowing Hawaii fans time to say a real goodbye to their favorite characters.

NCIS: Hawaii also beat the reality shows

Do you remember a time when realist shows were the strongest performers on networks? Survivor was constantly at the top for CBS. Well, that’s not the case anymore. The total audience figures for NCIS: Hawaii beat every reality show.

The demo still wins for reality shows, though. I think that tells you the state of the world when it comes to younger audiences.

But with everything above, it's clear that NCIS: Hawaii deserved another season. Keep in mind that this is just CBS. NCIS: Hawaii was way ahead other network dramas, showing that it really could have been saved.