CBS is undergoing significant changes following the cancellation of two shows. On Friday, March 27, it was confirmed that Watson would not return for a third season, and DMV was canceled after just one season. Their series finales are scheduled to air on May 3 and May 11, respectively.
This decision was made a week before CBS planned to reveal its 2026-27 schedule, which played a role in the cancellation of both series. Initially, CBS had announced a series of early renewals in January, leaving only Watson and DMV uncertain. According to Deadline, the fate of Watson hinged on the success of Marshals and CIA, both of which were quickly renewed. Meanwhile, DMV awaited the outcomes of comedy pilots Eternally Yours and The Tillbrooks (formerly known as Regency).
Ultimately, CBS renewed 12 dramas for the upcoming season, including all four freshman shows: Marshals, CIA, Sheriff Country, and Boston Blue. Additionally, the network picked up two new series for 2026-27: Cupertino by Robert and Michelle King, and Einstein by Matthew Gray Gubler.
Deadline suggested that the cancellation of DMV indicated that Eternally Yours and The Tillbrooks are likely to advance beyond the pilot stage at CBS. Watson faced challenges despite initial success, experiencing a decline in viewership after its second season was delayed and moved to a Monday slot following CIA. DMV also struggled with declining multiplatform ratings despite a strong start.
Despite these cancellations, CBS has experienced success with new additions, such as the Yellowstone spinoff Marshals, which was renewed for a second season after its premiere attracted 20.6 million viewers within a week. This made it the most-watched network original series premiere without a football lead-in since 2017.
CBS Entertainment president Amy Reisenbach commented on the success of Marshals, stating, “Marshals delivered a breakout performance, capturing a massive audience across platforms and quickly establishing itself as one of TV’s most powerful new series. The overwhelming viewer response speaks to the strength of the Yellowstone world, the bold, character-driven storytelling from the creative team and the dynamic cast performances led by Luke Grimes.”
According to a press release, CBS celebrated several successes, with Marshals and Justin Hartley’s Tracker emerging as the top two most-watched shows during their premiere week. The debut of Grimes’ spinoff also set a CBS record as the most-streamed episode ever on Paramount+.
Boston Blue and Sheriff Country quickly secured season 2 renewals, with Sheriff Country attracting 7.6 million viewers and Blue Bloods drawing 8 million viewers, dominating Friday nights in total viewership.
“Two new shows on Friday night have become instant hits with audiences quickly embracing Boston Blue and Sheriff Country across broadcast and streaming,” Reisenbach shared in a statement. “These early renewals reflect the power of character-driven storytelling, compelling narratives and the exceptional talent on both sides of the camera that make these series truly stand out.”
