CBS Cancels NCIS: Hawai’i Despite Strong Viewership and Star Power
NCIS: Hawai’i, the first NCIS series with a female lead starring Vanessa Lachey, has been axed by CBS after just three seasons. Despite being the network’s 12th most-watched non-sports program with 7.8 million linear viewers and 10 million multi-platform viewers, the show didn’t make the cut for the upcoming season.
Efforts to extend its run for a fourth season with budget cuts and other concessions fell short amidst CBS’s aggressive lineup changes, which included renewing flagship series like NCIS and launching new projects like NCIS: Origins. The cancellation decision reflects CBS’s strategic shift and focus on short-term financial gains amidst parent company Paramount Global’s ongoing sale.
NCIS: Hawai’i’s blend of crime drama set in Hawaii attracted a dedicated fan base and featured LL Cool J from NCIS: Los Angeles, adding star power and franchise continuity. Despite its strong performance, the show faced an uncertain future amid CBS’s commitment to new scripted series and rigorous renewal criteria.
