Summary

• CBS's reversal of S.W.A.T.'s cancellation after a fan outcry reflects the current trend of unexpected renewals and cancellations in the streaming era.
• Despite solid ratings, S.W.A.T.'s cancellation initially caused confusion due to its recent success. The back-and-forth decision has left fans questioning the reasoning behind the final season order.
• The 13-episode order for S.W.A.T. season 7 will provide closure for the beloved characters and storylines, while also boosting CBS's Friday-night lineup. The show's success makes the renewal a smart move for the network.

In a twist as shocking as those seen on screen, CBS reversed its cancelation of S.W.A.T. season 7. This comes on the heels of other networks and streamers doing the opposite: for example, Amazon canceled A League of Their Own only after renewing it for a second season. In the age of streaming — and in the face of dual Hollywood strikes — it's clear that no series is safe from the chopping block. Originally, CBS canceled S.W.A.T. ahead of its season 6 finale, despite solid ratings. These general trends, the cancelation of once-renewed or high-performings shows, makes S.W.A.T.'s sudden season 7 renewal all the more unexpected.

While it's now clear why S.W.A.T. was really canceled, the decision sparked some initial confusion given the procedural's sixth-season ratings bump. While viewership hit record lows during 2020's season 4, that number rebounded to second season levels during seasons 5 and 6 of the series. Although the reneged cancelation is of little consequence now, the entire back-and-forth has resulted in continued confusion as to why the action-drama series received a final season order at all, and what the remaining 13 episodes mean for S.W.A.T.'s ending.

CBS Reversed SWAT's Cancelation After Huge Backlash

Shortly after CBS first canceled S.W.A.T., the network waffled on its decision to ax the Shemar Moore-led series amid backlash. "We've done nothing wrong," Moore, former star of CBS' 16-season Criminal Minds, said. However, the S.W.A.T. star wasn't the only one venting frustrations; the show's outraged fanbase pushed CBS to reconsider its decision more deeply. In listening to the "outpouring of ion" for the series, CBS caved and resurrected it for a final outing (via Deadline). When news of season 7 hit, S.W.A.T. ranked as a Nielsen top 10 streaming series, proving that the network made a smart decision.

The 13-episode order for S.W.A.T. season 7, originally meant to air in the 2023–24 broadcast season, is tasked with bringing closure to the long-running series and its beloved characters. "S.W.A.T. has aired for six seasons on CBS and garnered a devoted following," reads a t statement from CBS Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television Studios. "We are pleased that we found a way to bring it back and give closure to the show’s storylines and characters, which audiences deserve." The show's ratings surge has not only proven S.W.A.T.'s own success, but reinvigorated the CBS' Friday-night lineup, making the season 7 renewal a smart move on many levels.

How SWAT Season 7 Can Properly Wrap Up The Show In Final 13 Episodes

With S.W.A.T. season 7 confirmed, it's worth wondering how the procedural action-drama will end. Given the series' genre, it tends to contain its overarching plots to a single season, with little of the narrative bleeding into a subsequent season. The S.W.A.T. season 6 finale, for instance, culminated in the arrest of cartel boss Sancho Zamora, rather than keep him around as a villain for the next season. Instead, the show will move on, with its characters thrust into new professional and personal situations. Alongside a final action-packed arc, viewers can expect an emotional send-off and some much-needed closure for the S.W.A.T. crew.