Renewed and canceled shows 2024: Which series will be back and who got the axe?

Updated: May 17, 2024 - May is here and the networks--with exception to The CW--have nearly wrapped deciding which series will be making it to their 2024-2025 television seasons. In fact, CBS has finished and their schedule is ready to go. We're expecting schedules from FOX, NBC, ABC, and The CW the week of May 13, so we truly are nearing the end of cancellation season.

There have been quite a few upsets as the networks have pieced out what's working on their slates, which series they can afford to keep on their rosters, and which programs just aren't cutting it. Below, you'll find a rundown of which shows have been renewed and which got axed. For the latter, I'll dive into the reasons why the series was canceled. Here's what's returning next TV year and what's singing a swan song.

Renewed and canceled ABC shows

The Conners renewed for seventh and final season

As expected, The Conners will be moving forward with a season 7 at ABC, however, it will be its last. Fans may also have to brace for an incredibly short farewell, too. When word began circling that the comedy would be renewed, it came with the news that if its final season were to be greenlit it would only have six episodes. Now that the renewal has come through, we wait for confirmation on the episode count.

Why was Station 19 canceled?

Station 19 was canceled before the premiere of its seventh season. Reportedly, the decision was made early so that the firefighter drama could have the farewell season it deserves. Though there wasn't an official reason given by ABC for the cancellation, sources have attributed the axing to finances. The procedural isn't cheap due to its action sequences which include explosives and its also a veteran on the network. Still, fans haven't given up the fight to save the series and have been steadily campaigning for the show to land elsewhere, be it another network or streamer.

Why was The Good Doctor canceled?

Like Station 19, the Freddie Highmore-led medical drama was a veteran on ABC. Reportedly, Highmore and the producers were open to moving forward with a shortened season 8 if it came to that, but the network decided to final season the series instead. Again, this was attributed to finances in spite of The Good Doctor's ratings ahead of its final season.

Why was Not Dead Yet canceled?

The end of the Gina Rodriguez-led comedy's cancellation was expected as its sophomore run has struggled to have the same viewership as its freshman season. Not Dead Yet was the least watched sitcom on ABC, averaging 2.7 million viewers.

Renewed and canceled CBS shows

SWAT gets an unexpected renewal

Once again, SWAT was saved from the sharp blade of the cancellation axe. The move by CBS was a stunning one as the show's seventh season has been steadily writing members of the main cast out since it was supposed to be a farewell run. However, it will be getting a season 8, so we'll have to wait and see if those rides into the sunset will stick or if Hondo will be working with a new team. The eighth season was not announced as a final season, so it's possible SWAT could live on beyond it.

Why was Bob Hearts Abishola canceled?

Once again, and this will be a repeated refrain throughout this article, money factored into the decision. Networks are pinning down what's cost-effective for them in this TV era and, for CBS, Bob Hearts Abishola didn't fall into that category because it wasn't making gains in the ratings. The comedy was the least watched program in the genre on the network last season and during its final season run. It had also gone through major budget cuts ahead of season 5, so the cancellation didn't come as too much of a surprise. Still, considering the team behind the series did want to continue on with the show, it is a disappointing blow for them and the fans.

Why was Blue Bloods canceled?

Though icon Tom Selleck is hoping that CBS "comes to their senses," the network confirmed that Blue Bloods will be drawing to a close in December. With a fourteen season run, the procedural has had a longer life span on the network than most series. As such, with much of the cast comprised of actors who've been with the show since season 1, it's quite expensive to make. Even with the budget cuts that allowed season 14 to move forward, CBS wasn't willing to push the series to a season 15 even with the team behind the procedural interested in continuing the story. In this case, Blue Bloods' high ratings didn't outweigh the show's cost.

Why was Young Sheldon canceled?

It's less that Young Sheldon was canceled and more that the series was coming to its natural conclusion. The comedy was never supposed to have a long run because its premise centers on Sheldon's childhood into his teen years which dramatically change his life, what with the loss of his father and his move to attend Cal Tech at 14. Unlike other series, which were abruptly ended, Young Sheldon is headed toward a planned ending and there's a spin-off coming next television season--Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage.

Why was NCIS: Hawaii canceled?

This cancellation shook the internet! Mainly because NCIS: Hawaii had been doing everything that is expected of a CBS drama. The ratings were good, it'd secured the #12 spot for non-sports programming across broadcast. The fanbase was energized and tuning in live as well as on Paramount+. The writing resonated with its audience and the team behind the procedural were firing on all cylinders. So what led to its cancellation had nothing to do with what the series had to offer; it had to do with money.

Though NCIS: Hawaii isn't a veteran series it's still expensive for CBS to make. In an era in which its franchise is expanding, with NCIS: Origins coming in the fall and NCIS: Tony & Ziva headed to Paramount+, and the flagship doing well along with the unexpected success with NCIS: Sydney on broadcast, this entry in the franchise fell through the cracks. Particularly because CBS' parent company Paramount Global is preparing to sell so the sheet has to be balanced, and there was no guarantee that Hawaii would turn into the global hit, and therefore a moneymaker, like its predecessors. Nonetheless, it's still a decision that stung.

Why was So Help Me Todd canceled?

Though the series has garnered praise as an off-beat legal dramedy, its viewership is low comparatively to the other scripted series on CBS. Despite boasting an average audience of 6.2 million viewers (at the time of cancellation), it ranked as the least watched drama on offer from the network. This is where CBS' embarrassment of riches factors in because, while that viewership number is nothing to sniff at especially when taking into account how shows on other networks are fairing, it does mean it drew the short stick as CBS makes room on its roster for new series.

Why was CSI: Vegas canceled?

CSI: Vegas was in the same position that So Help Me Todd was...literally. Both shows tied for last with an average of 6.2 million viewers. That simply was not enough for a renewal at a network where the scripted dramas outperformed during the television year.

Renewed and canceled CW shows

Everyone Else Burns was renewed but its future at The CW is uncertain

A renewal for Everyone Else Burns made headlines and the network ordered a second season ahead of the UK comedy’s stateside premiere but the show was pulled three episodes into its run on The CW, so it’s unclear whether the network will still be moving forward with a season 2 (at least on-air, it could run on the CW App).

Wild Cards is likely to be renewed

Fans of Wild Cards, like myself, are waiting with bated breath for The CW to renew the comedic procedural for a second seasons. All signs point to a renewal. The series had good ratings by the network's standards, reaching an average of 500,000 viewers on the night and reaching 1 million in the Live+7 numbers. Also, CW President of Entertainment Brad Schwartz commented on the show's renewal potential.

"We have not renewed it yet but that is a conversation that’s happening right now. It’s the type of show that could run for ten seasons, those shows don’t exist much anymore. It really could be something."

The remaining pre-Nexstar CW shows are on the bubble

As I previously reported, there's been word that The CW isn't likely to renew all three of the pre-Nexstar originals which means that All American, All American: Homecoming, and Walker are heavily on the bubble. The football drama, starring Daniel Ezra, has the surest path forward, particularly if the team behind the series is interested in doing a soft reboot that would center new and younger characters. The arcs for the current main cast seem to be coming to a close which gives the series the opportunity to pivot in order to stay on air.

It'd be a tougher road for All American: Homecoming as the spin-off already went through major budget cuts to ensure its third season. Said junior outing won't be premiering until July and a summer slot doesn't bode well for a renewal. As for Walker, though it's the most watched series on The CW, its licensing fee being just north of $500,000 an episode may not be enough for its studio to carry it further, or even want to, honestly. American studios have found it difficult to make scripted programming at the networks $1.5 million licensing fee cap without an international partner, hence why much of CW's roster is comprised of co-productions.

Why was Superman and Lois canceled?

The writing was on the wall for Superman and Lois after the main cast was severely cut for its fourth season and it was only allotted a ten episode run. However, the call to end the series apparently didn't come from The CW, it came from its studio, Warner Bros. The Wrap reports, that according to CW's President of Entertainment Brad Schwartz, "They don’t want a competing Superman product in the marketplace," which is why Superman and Lois is ending. Superman, the first movie in James Gunn and Peter Safran's DCU is scheduled to release next year just months after CW's superhero drama concludes.

Renewed and canceled FOX shows

FOX has only canceled Housebroken. The animated series, whose second season aired in summer 2023, had been kept in limbo in regards to a renewal or cancellation announcement. Now that the news has broken, it's likely that the program was canceled due to its ratings. TVLine reports that the show averaged 460,000 total viewers and had a 0.1 demo with Live+7 numbers factored in.

Since 911: Lone Star won't be returning until Fall 2024, we may be in for a wait on whether the procedural will be renewed.

Renewed and canceled NBC shows

Law and Order: Organized Crime has been renewed but it won't air on NBC

Fans of Stabler's series can rest easy, as long as they have a Peacock subscription, because Law and Order: Organized Crime will be returning for another season. It just won't be on NBC. The studio closed in on a deal with the network's streaming arm to ensure the future of the procedural. While it's unknown what changes might be made to the series as it heads to the streamer, we can bet that it'll be just as good if not better.

Why was Quantum Leap canceled?

Much to the chagrin of fans, Quantum Leap joined the canceled ranks of Magnum P.I. and La Brea. But, per TVLine, it was to be expected as the series was last in audience for NBC's dramas--averaging 3.2 million total viewers--and only outperformed the two aforementioned shows in the demo.

Why was Extended Family canceled?

Interestingly, Extended Family wasn't the worst performing comedy on the network so ratings may not have been the reason NBC didn't move forward with a season 2. It might have come down to the need to make room for Reba McEntire's new series, Happy's Place. Though the Jon-Cryer led program ranked ahead of George Lopez's Lopez vs. Lopez, it didn't get the greenlight.

Stay tuned to Hidden Remote for more TV news and coverage!