A few weeks ago CBS renewed a bunch of well-known popular series which included some major shows like CSI: Vegas Season 3, NCIS Season 21, and NCIS: Hawai’i Season 3 among others. While checking out the list we were taken aback to notice that the network hasn’t listed down Blue Bloods for another season which is surprising to many viewers as the show has been one of the most talked about police procedural drama television series ever!
Any exceptions from the list would undoubtedly be questioned in light of the aforementioned shows, particularly since they have anchored CBS’ Friday night primetime programming for more than ten years and have been a staple of the network’s weekly schedule. This is a fair question to ask if the rating played a crucial factor in this delay. According to new reports, the 13th season of Blue Bloods averages a 0.41 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 6.05 million viewers.
When it is compared to season 12, that’s down by 8% in the demo and down by 1% in viewership in the live+same day ratings including DVR playback. These figures are a very good indication of how a show is performing, particularly when compared to other programs on the same channel, even though they do not take into account further delayed or streaming viewing.
There is no doubt that a lower rating plays a crucial role in a show’s demise. In general, higher-rated series get renewed while lower-rated ones get canceled. The fact that Blue Bloods has been able to draw an average of 6 million US viewers for each episode of its current season is encouraging for the possibility of an additional season, provided there are no other behind-the-scenes squabbles.
To summarize, the numbers that Blue Bloods has been able to get over the years are not easy to maintain and any other major network wouldn’t question the future of such a beloved series that has been able to leave a mark in its catalog. We suspect that there have to be some serious ongoing network-to-series creator talks happening for such a major delay in its renewal.
Moreover, Deadline reported that negotiations for the renewal of Blue Bloods are proceeding, and one of the issues up for discussion is the show’s planned budget cuts. Broadcast networks frequently request budget cuts on long-running series, which inevitably cost more as they get older due to the general decline in linear ratings. After weeks of deadlock, the network is hopeful that the program will return for Season 14 as the negotiations seem to be going well.
It is only a matter of time before we get some answers regarding its renewal. It is assumed that once the 13th season approaches its conclusion, the network will give some updates, whether it’s the series’ final season or not. Right now, the fandom is just praying for some good news, even if it means that these beloved characters will only appear in one final season to give them the proper farewell they deserve after spending years on television screens.
While you wait for more updates on whether Season 14 will be renewed or not, stream prior episodes on CBS’s official website, along with other streaming platforms like FuboTV, Paramount+, and Hulu Plus, according to the viewer’s preference based on the number of membership plans to choose from. You can also stream the series by renting or purchasing it on iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Google Play, and Vudu. The series is also available for free on Pluto, depending on the viewer’s location.