Fans now have answers regarding CBS’s decision to cancel “NCIS: Hawaii” after its three-season run. The police procedural spin-off, starring Vanessa Lachey and featuring NCIS: Los Angeles crossover star LL Cool J, is coming to an end despite its solid Nielsen numbers.
“NCIS: Hawaii” averaged 7.8 million viewers weekly and reached 10 million over 35 days on cross-platform viewing. However, these numbers were not sufficient to secure a spot in the network’s top-performing lineup. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the show’s lackluster primetime performance contributed significantly to its cancellation.
Another factor in the decision is the already crowded lineup of NCIS shows. CBS is currently airing NCIS and has introduced NCIS: Sydney, with plans to launch a new prequel, NCIS: Origins, for the 2024-2025 season. Additionally, Paramount+ is developing a series featuring Cote de Pablo and Michael Weatherley reprising their original roles.
The high costs of filming in Hawaii also played a role. Despite efforts to greenlight a fourth season with budget cuts and concessions, these measures were ultimately insufficient to prevent the show’s cancellation, as reported by Deadline.
CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach explained the network’s recent cancellations, including “NCIS: Hawaii,” by emphasizing the need for a cohesive schedule, financial considerations, and overall performance. She stated, “It is incumbent on us to always keep the schedule fresh, keep momentum going. We had to make some really tough choices this year. Everything came back [from the Hollywood strikes] really strong, but ultimately we have to look at the cohesiveness of the schedule flow. We have to evaluate the financials and the performance overall, and we make tough decisions.”
There was speculation about whether “NCIS: Hawaii” could survive on streaming platforms, given its established audience. However, CBS President George Cheeks addressed this possibility, noting that there are limited slots available on Paramount+. He said via Variety, “Budgets are challenged, so we don’t have an unlimited amount of slots on Paramount+. It’s something that we’re always open to, but it’s never a guarantee.”
Both Cheeks and Reisenbach dismissed the likelihood of “NCIS: Hawaii” continuing on streaming, confirming that the third season will be the last. This makes “NCIS: Hawaii” the shortest series in the franchise to date. The final episode of its third season is scheduled to air on Monday, May 6, at 10 p.m. ET on CBS.
