CBS Cancelations: Why were FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International Binned? Can they Return?

The dreaded cancelations are here and it’s not looking good for CBS’ series slate. FBI: Most Wanted was canceled with FBI: International. The former is saying goodbye after six seasons, while the latter has been binned after four seasons. But why were these two canceled?

Why were FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International Canceled? 

The reason for the cancelations of FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International is believed to be due to financials. Universal Television makes the FBI franchise, and over the past two years, CBS has had difficult renewal negotiations with the NBCUniversal studio. 

The signs of a possible cancelation emerged last year when CBS reduced the minimum guarantees of the main cast of FBI and FBI: Most Wanted. Back then, International didn’t feel the heat because it had a small regular cast, and even then, half of them were international actors. 

Another reason is to make room for new shows. After all, multiple shows like Tracker, NCIS, NCIS: Sydney, NCIS: Origins, Fire Country, and more were renewed over the past months. So, some shows had to be canceled to make room for existing ones. 

What's next for the FBI Franchise?

The main show that began FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International, FBI, is in its seventh season. There’s also a spin-off called FBI: CIA in development at CBS. The cancelations of Most Wanted and International mean that there’s a high chance that this one would be pickedup. 

Is this the end for FBI: Most Wanted and International?

At the time of writing, it hasn’t been clarified if Universal TV and Wolf Entertainment will look for another home for FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International. The two shows still deliver solid ratings that are on par with other renewed CBS shows like the NCIS franchise. 

If they can’t find a new home for the two shows, then the season finales can be reworked as series finales since production on the current season is still going on. 

FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International are streaming on Paramount+.