There were two FBI shows missing from the string of renewals on CBS for the 2025–2026 season. FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted remain on the bubble.
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. A lot of people have wondered if one of these two shows will be canceled, and that’s been on our minds since the announcement of the spin-off series FBI: CIA. There are many reasons why CBS may not have renewed the two shows just yet, but here are my thoughts.
CBS has a lot of shows planned for the 2025–2026 season
With the nine renewals, it initially seems like there are a lot of places on the schedule still available. There are some unscripted renewals that have happened already, like Survivor, but what about the other scripted slots? After all, we’re waiting for renewals for FBI: International, FBI: Most Wanted, SWAT, Watson, and The Equalizer, just to name a few.
There are a lot of shows already set or potentially set for the 2025–2026 season, though. We know Sheriff Country, the Fire Country spin-off is coming, and we know there’s a chance of The Equalizer spin-off series starring Titus Welliver. Then there’s the Einstein pilot in the running.
Of course, there’s the potential FBI spin-off, FBI: CIA. With all of these in the works, it’s clear that some shows will need to be canceled.
FBI: Most Wanted or FBI: International could be on the line
There’s a chance that CBS is looking at how the pilot for FBI: CIA works out. Is this show going to bring more eyeballs than International or Most Wanted? It seems strange to think that CBS would want to change up completely from its FBI night, and there are only three timeslots. That means one has to go, right?
FBI: Most Wanted is the weakest in terms of linear ratings. There are only two OG cast members, with this show seeing the most cast turnover than the others on in the franchise. Most Wanted is behind the other two in terms of demo and total audience, according to TV Series Finale.
Meanwhile, FBI: International is the only one of the shows that films in Europe. The other two, and the planned spin-off, film in New York. This makes it much easier for the actors. The international filming is one of the reasons for the turnover of cast on the series. It also makes the show a little more expensive. While the audience is higher than Most Wanted by a fair amount, the demo is only just ahead. It could mean that this series gets the boot, putting CIA on in the middle of the block.
Either way, CBS has to plan for another packed schedule, and that likely means some disappointing cancellations on their way. In some good news, we know we have two more seasons of FBI.
FBI night airs on Tuesdays starting at 8/7c on CBS. Catch up on all three on Paramount+.
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