CBS President Defends Controversial Cancellation Spree at Banff World Media Festival
CBS Entertainment president Amy Reisenbach recently defended the network’s tough decision to cancel *NCIS: Hawai’i*, *So Help Me Todd*, and *CSI: Las Vegas*, despite strong viewer backlash. Speaking at the Banff World Media Festival, Reisenbach addressed the criticism, particularly from fans of *NCIS: Hawai’i*, which ended on a cliffhanger and was growing in popularity.
The announcement of the replacement spinoff, *NCIS: Origins* featuring Mark Harmon, has further fueled debate about the decision to end the successful *NCIS: Hawai’i*.
In response to the continued outcry following the shortened 2023-2024 season, Reisenbach explained the rationale behind the cancellations. The dual Hollywood strikes of 2023 significantly delayed network TV schedules, leading CBS to make these controversial decisions.
“I’m a big fan of TV first and I sympathize and relate to all of the fans out there who are disappointed in the fact that these shows are ending. But at the end of the day, our job at CBS is to make those really tough calls. We toss and turn and have sleepless nights and have endless discussions, but we look at all of the numbers. We look at what our projections are for the future, we look at where we see opportunities to potentially have even bigger success on the schedule,” Reisenbach said (via Variety).
### Why *NCIS: Hawai’i* Cancellation Frustrated Viewers
*NCIS: Hawai’i* faced the loudest criticism due to its cliffhanger ending and increasing popularity, leaving fans baffled by CBS’s decision to cancel a show with decent viewership ratings.
