Your favorite show is probably dead. Or dying. Or on life support waiting for someone to pull the plug.
Welcome to 2025, the year television became a graveyard. Networks aren’t just canceling shows. They’re slaughtering entire lineups. Axing fan favorites mid-season. Ending decades-long franchises without warning. And leaving viewers staring at their streaming queues wondering what the hell just happened.
CBS led the massacre, canceling seven shows including SWAT (for the THIRD time), two FBI spinoffs, and Stephen Colbert’s Late Show which won’t actually end until May 2026 but the announcement still felt like a gut punch. NBC joined the carnage by gutting Suits LA right before its season finale. Hulu, Prime Video, Netflix, and Disney Plus all swung their cancellation axes with zero mercy.
The body count keeps rising. Procedurals that anchored primetime for years? Gone. Comedies that made Monday nights bearable? Canceled. Prestigious prestige TV that critics loved? Dead. Even shows that got decent ratings found themselves on the chopping block because apparently, “decent” isn’t good enough anymore when every network is hemorrhaging money.
And here’s what makes 2025’s cancellation spree particularly brutal: most of these shows didn’t get proper endings. No farewell seasons. No closure for characters viewers spent years loving. Just abrupt stops mid-story because studios decided the economics didn’t work anymore.
Share this with every TV addict you know because if you’re still emotionally recovering from your show getting canceled, you’re not alone. 2025 broke everyone’s hearts.
1. SWAT Got Canceled For The Third Time And Shemar Moore Is Done Being Polite
Credits: TV Insider
Let’s start with the most infuriating cancellation of the year. SWAT, the CBS police procedural starring Shemar Moore as Sergeant Daniel Hondo Harrelson, got canceled in March 2025. For the THIRD time. After being saved twice before through fan campaigns and Moore’s relentless social media advocacy.
The show premiered in 2017 as a reboot of the 1970s series. It consistently pulled over 8 million viewers per episode. Solid, reliable numbers that should guarantee renewal. CBS canceled it anyway after season 6 in May 2023. Fans rioted. Moore rallied them on Instagram. The network relented, greenlighting season 7 as a “final season.”
Then in 2024, CBS renewed SWAT for season 8, again calling it the final season. Production wrapped. Everyone prepared for a proper goodbye. Then in March 2025, three weeks before the finale, CBS announced: actually, we’re canceling you again.
Moore’s Instagram response was raw: “SWAT IS CANCELED… AGAIN!!! After 8 seasons… CANCELED… maybe this time for good!!! But my momma didn’t raise NO QUITTER!!!” He thanked fans, acknowledged the journey, and hinted he wasn’t done fighting.
Showrunner Andrew Dettmann called the news “heartbreaking,” praising the cast and crew who’d worked through eight seasons and countless challenges. The final episode aired May 16, 2025, bringing Twenty Squad’s story to an end whether anyone wanted it to or not.
Why cancel a show with strong ratings? CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach later admitted it was purely financial. The show cost too much relative to what it earned. In the new television economics, being popular isn’t enough. You have to be profitable.
2. Stephen Colbert’s Late Show Ends May 2026 After A Decade Of Dominance
Credits: CBS
In July 2025, CBS dropped a bomb: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the number one late night show for nine straight seasons, would end in May 2026. Not because of ratings. Not because of performance. Purely financial decision making driven by Paramount Global’s merger with Skydance Media.
Colbert took over from David Letterman in 2015, bringing his satirical edge from The Colbert Report on Comedy Central. He dominated late night, beating Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel consistently. His political comedy resonated during Trump’s first presidency and maintained relevance through Biden’s term and Trump’s return.
But late night television is expensive. Studios, writers, crew, celebrity bookings, musical guests. The margins are thin even for the top show. When Paramount looked at the balance sheet during merger negotiations, The Late Show became expendable despite being CBS’s late night crown jewel.
Colbert broke the news to his studio audience, revealing he’d only learned about the cancellation “last night.” His voice carried disbelief: “Next year will be our last season. The Late Show will be our last show in May. It’s the end of The Late Show on CBS. This is all just going away.”
The announcement sent shockwaves through television. If the NUMBER ONE late night show can’t survive, what does that say about the format’s future? CBS previously canceled James Corden’s Late Late Show in 2023, also citing unprofitability. Now they’re retiring The Late Show franchise entirely.
May 2026 feels far away but the countdown has started. Colbert has less than a year to wrap up a decade-long run that defined late night comedy for an entire political era. No word yet on what CBS plans to air at 11:35pm once Colbert leaves. But the Late Show legacy that started with David Letterman in 1993 will officially end after 33 years.
3. And Just Like That Ends After Season 3 Because Even Carrie Bradshaw Needs Closure
Credits: THR
Sex and the City fans finally got an ending. And Just Like That, the HBO Max revival that brought Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte back to Manhattan, concluded with its season 3 finale in August 2025. Creator Michael Patrick King announced the decision himself, explaining he knew while writing the final episode that this was the right place to stop.
The revival debuted in 2021, returning to the Sex and the City universe without Kim Cattrall’s Samantha. It tackled aging, grief, sexuality, and modern New York through the lens of women in their 50s. Reviews were mixed. Fans debated every choice. But it maintained solid viewership through three seasons.
King’s statement was poetic: “And just like that… the ongoing storytelling of the Sex and the City universe is coming to an end. While I was writing the last episode of And Just Like That season 3, it became clear to me that this might be a wonderful place to stop.”
The series finale featured Carrie choosing herself rather than another romantic relationship. After 27 years of watching her navigate love and loss from Sex and the City’s 1998 premiere through this final episode, the character ends single, content, eating pumpkin pie alone in her beautiful apartment.
King and Sarah Jessica Parker decided together that this was Carrie’s complete arc. No more will they, won’t they. No more searching for the one. Just a woman who built a life she loves and doesn’t need validation from romance to feel whole.
The ending sparked debate. Some fans wanted Carrie paired off. Others celebrated her independence. But unlike many 2025 cancellations, And Just Like That got to end on its own terms, with a finale that felt intentional rather than abrupt.
Don’t miss number 4 because the FBI franchise bloodbath was wild.
4. CBS Killed Two FBI Spinoffs In One Brutal Swoop
Credits: Deadline
CBS’s FBI franchise dominated Tuesday nights with three interconnected shows: FBI, FBI: Most Wanted, and FBI: International. In 2025, the network axed both spinoffs, leaving only the original series standing.
FBI: International, which followed an elite team based in Budapest, got canceled first. Deadline attributed the decision to CBS making room for other programming. The show had moderate ratings but couldn’t match its parent series’ numbers.
FBI: Most Wanted, the more successful spinoff about a fugitive task force, also got the axe despite running six seasons. Amy Reisenbach admitted in May 2025 that financial considerations drove the decision: “Ultimately those deals and the shows just weren’t penciling out for us from an economic perspective.”
Translation: the shows cost too much relative to revenue, so they had to go. Even established franchises with built-in audiences weren’t safe if the spreadsheets didn’t justify renewal.
The original FBI series survived, maintaining Tuesday nights for CBS. But the ambitious three-show FBI universe that once dominated primetime is now reduced to a single series. Fans who loved the interconnected storytelling and crossover episodes lost two thirds of the franchise in one season.
5. The Neighborhood Gets A Farewell Season After Eight Years Of Monday Night Laughs
Credits: IMDb
Not all cancellations were cruel. The Neighborhood, CBS’s sitcom about a white family moving next to a Black family in a gentrifying LA neighborhood, got the rare gift of a farewell season after CBS announced its end in early 2025.
The show starred Cedric the Entertainer as Calvin Butler and Max Greenfield as Dave Johnson, navigating friendship, cultural differences, and community with warmth and humor. It ran eight seasons, becoming one of CBS’s most reliable comedy performers.
Amy Reisenbach’s statement acknowledged the show’s quality: “The brilliant cast and creative team brought levity, laughter and poignant storylines to Monday nights for seven incredible seasons.” She added that loyal fans deserved “a proper farewell season full of the trademark humor and heartfelt moments.”
The Neighborhood represents how cancellations should work. Strong ratings. Long run. Planned ending. Everyone getting closure. Unfortunately, that’s becoming rarer as networks prioritize financial metrics over audience satisfaction.
6. Queen Latifah’s Equalizer Ended After Five Seasons Of Vigilante Justice
Credits: THR
CBS’s reimagining of The Equalizer, starring Queen Latifah as Robyn McCall, concluded in May 2025 after five seasons. The series premiered in 2021 as a contemporary take on the classic crime drama, with Latifah bringing gravitas to the role of a former CIA operative turned vigilante helper.
The show was a consistent performer, appealing to CBS’s core demographic with procedural storytelling and action sequences. But like many 2025 cancellations, financial considerations trumped ratings. The production costs didn’t align with network priorities during a year of aggressive cost cutting.
Latifah hasn’t publicly commented extensively on the cancellation, but the show’s five season run gave her character’s arc reasonable completion. Fans of the original 1980s series and Edward Woodward’s portrayal, as well as Denzel Washington’s film adaptations, got to see another version of the Equalizer legacy before it ended.
7. Suits LA Got Murdered Before Its Season Finale Even Aired
Credits: Reddit
NBC’s decision to cancel Suits LA was particularly brutal. The network axed the spinoff right before its season 1 finale aired, giving the show zero chance to prove itself could build an audience or adjust based on feedback.
Stephen Amell, Arrow star and Suits LA lead, played Ted Black, a former New York prosecutor turned Los Angeles entertainment lawyer. The show attempted to capture the Suits magic that made the original a streaming phenomenon on Netflix years after its USA Network run ended.
But Suits LA never found its footing. Reviews were mixed. Ratings were soft. And NBC, facing financial pressures across its lineup, pulled the plug before the first season completed. Amell and the cast learned their show was dead while still filming, a demoralizing experience that’s become increasingly common in modern television.
The cancellation highlighted how unforgiving the current TV landscape has become. Shows used to get multiple seasons to find their audience. Now they’re canceled mid-season if numbers don’t immediately justify costs. Suits LA never had a fighting chance.
8. Night Court’s Revival Lasted Three Seasons Before NBC Said Goodnight
Credits: Deadline
The Night Court revival, starring Melissa Rauch as Judge Abby Stone, ended after its season 3 finale in 2025. NBC canceled the sitcom despite decent ratings and a Big Bang Theory reunion between Rauch and Simon Helberg in the final episode.
The revival brought back the courtroom comedy format that made the original 1984-1992 series a hit, with Rauch playing the daughter of Harry Anderson’s Judge Harry Stone. John Larroquette reprised his role as Dan Fielding, connecting new and old generations of the show.
Three seasons isn’t a terrible run for a revival. But fans hoped for more, especially given the show’s consistent performance and critical appreciation for how it honored the original while updating for modern audiences. NBC’s decision to cancel reflected larger programming shifts rather than specific failures of Night Court itself.
Share this list with your TV obsessed friend because we’re only halfway through the carnage.
9. The Old Man Canceled After Two Seasons Despite Jeff Bridges Leading
Credits: THR
Hulu shocked fans by canceling The Old Man after just two seasons. The Jeff Bridges-led thriller about a former CIA operative forced back into action was well-reviewed and attracted prestige TV audiences.
But production was plagued with delays. Bridges battled cancer during filming. COVID shut down sets multiple times. The extended production timeline increased costs while decreasing Hulu’s patience. Despite the show’s quality, the streamer decided two seasons was enough.
The cancellation demonstrated that even A-list stars and critical acclaim can’t guarantee renewal if production becomes too complicated or expensive. The Old Man joins the growing list of shows that had potential but couldn’t overcome logistical and financial hurdles.
10. Poppa’s House Lasted One Season Despite Damon Wayans Star Power
Credits: Prime Video
CBS canceled Poppa’s House after a single season in April 2025. The comedy starred Damon Wayans and represented a return to network television for the veteran comedian. But despite his name recognition and the Wayans family comedy pedigree, the show couldn’t find an audience.
Wayans posted a gracious Instagram response: “Though Poppa’s House is coming to a close, I’m walking away with deep gratitude, lifelong friendships, and unforgettable memories. This show gave me more than I could’ve ever imagined.”
His positive response to cancellation highlighted how even industry veterans understand the current TV reality. Shows get one season to prove themselves. If they don’t immediately connect, they’re gone. No second chances. No building audience over time.
11. The Irrational Couldn’t Logic Its Way To Season 3
Credits: THR
NBC’s The Irrational, starring Jesse L. Martin as a behavioral science expert solving crimes, was canceled in May 2025 after two seasons. The procedural premiered fall 2023 and maintained modest ratings, but “modest” doesn’t cut it anymore.
Martin, known for Law & Order and Rent, brought credibility to the role. The show attempted to differentiate itself from standard procedurals by focusing on behavioral psychology rather than traditional detective work. But in a crowded procedural landscape, it couldn’t carve out enough audience to justify renewal.
12. Wheel of Time Couldn’t Spin To Season 4
Credits: THR
Prime Video’s expensive fantasy adaptation The Wheel of Time was canceled in May 2025, one month after its season 3 finale. The show, based on Robert Jordan’s beloved fantasy novels, was once among Prime’s most successful series.
But viewership declined in season 3. And more importantly, the show was expensive. Fantasy productions require massive budgets for effects, locations, and post-production. When the audience didn’t justify the cost, Prime made the brutal financial calculation to cancel despite the source material having many more books to adapt.
The cancellation devastated fans who’d waited decades for this adaptation. But it’s emblematic of streaming’s new reality: even successful shows get canceled if they’re not successful ENOUGH relative to their budgets.
13. Resident Alien Concluded After Four Seasons Of Weird Brilliance
Credits: Screen Rant
Resident Alien, the Syfy comedy about an alien (Alan Tudyk) stranded on Earth and pretending to be a small-town doctor, ended with its fourth season in August 2025. Creator Chris Sheridan admitted he knew going into season 4 that this would likely be the final season.
The show was critically beloved, with Tudyk’s performance earning praise for balancing physical comedy with genuine emotion. But Syfy’s parent company was cutting costs across all networks, and Resident Alien, despite its quality, became a casualty.
At least the show got to end somewhat on its own terms, with Sheridan able to write toward conclusion rather than ending on a cliffhanger.
14. E! News Ended After More Than 30 Years
Credits: IMDb
One of the biggest entertainment media casualties was E! News itself. After more than 30 years covering celebrity gossip and Hollywood news, NBCU canceled the show in July 2025. The final episode aired September 25.
The cancellation reflected larger shifts in how people consume entertainment news. Social media, podcasts, and YouTube have replaced traditional entertainment news programs. E! News couldn’t compete with the instant gratification of Instagram and TikTok.
An entire era of celebrity journalism ended when E! News went off the air. No more red carpet pre-shows. No more “Who wore it better?” No more daily rundowns of paparazzi photos and publicist-approved interviews.
15. Goosebumps Got Bumped By Disney Plus After Two Seasons
Credits: THR
Disney Plus canceled Goosebumps after two seasons, though producer Sony Pictures Television is reportedly shopping it to other platforms. The R.L. Stine adaptation performed well initially but couldn’t maintain momentum.
The cancellation shows that even beloved IP and solid viewership don’t guarantee survival. Disney Plus is ruthlessly cutting content as it focuses on profitability over subscriber growth. Goosebumps became another victim of that strategic shift.
16. Mid-Century Modern Lasted One Season Despite Nathan Lane And Matt Bomer
Credits: THR
Hulu’s Mid-Century Modern, starring Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer, and the late Linda Lavin, was canceled after one season. Co-creator Max Mutchnick (Will & Grace) confirmed the news on Instagram: “Ten great episodes… Not enough. But we loved making every single one of them.”
The show had critical appreciation and a stacked cast. But it couldn’t break through in Hulu’s crowded comedy slate. Even Nathan Lane’s legendary comedic talent couldn’t save it from cancellation.
17. The Waterfront Sank On Netflix After Strong Initial Performance
Credits: THR
Netflix canceled The Waterfront after one season despite the show performing well initially. It was in the global top 10 for several weeks following release. But Netflix’s renewal algorithm apparently decided it didn’t have long-term staying power.
The cancellation frustrated fans who’d invested in the characters and story. But Netflix has been increasingly ruthless about canceling shows that don’t maintain viewership momentum. One strong debut isn’t enough anymore. Shows need sustained engagement.
18. Duster Cleaned Out After One Season On HBO Max
Credits: THR
Duster, starring Red, White & Royal Blue’s Rachel Hilson and Yellowstone’s Josh Holloway, was canceled by HBO Max after a single season. The show received positive reviews but couldn’t build enough audience to justify renewal.
Short-lived series that get critical acclaim but soft viewership have become 2025’s defining TV tragedy. Quality doesn’t guarantee survival. Economics do.
19. Countdown Ran Out Of Time On Prime Video
Credits: THR
Jensen Ackles’s Prime Video thriller Countdown was canceled in October after one season. The Supernatural star played Detective Mark Meachum hunting the killer of a Homeland Security officer.
Ackles has a devoted fanbase from his 15 years on Supernatural. But that wasn’t enough to save Countdown from Prime’s cost-cutting measures. Even established stars with loyal followings can’t guarantee their shows survive anymore.
20. English Teacher Failed Its Final Exam
Credits: THR
FX’s English Teacher was canceled after two seasons. The comedy about a high school English teacher navigating modern education’s cultural landmines had critical support but modest ratings.
FX has historically been patient with shows, allowing them to build audiences. But even that network has tightened standards in 2025’s brutal environment. English Teacher became another casualty of the new television economics.
Drop a comment: Which cancellation hurt you most? What show are you still mourning? Share this with your TV group chat because misery loves company and 2025 was miserable for television.
Follow for more updates as the cancellation carnage continues. Because at this rate, the only shows surviving 2026 will be reality competitions and reruns. And honestly? Even those aren’t safe anymore.
When 2025 started, nobody predicted it would become television’s bloodiest year. But between CBS’s cancellation spree, streaming services slashing content, and late night television facing extinction, the TV landscape transformed into a graveyard. SWAT got canceled three times. Stephen Colbert’s Late Show ends next year. And Just Like That wrapped the Sex and the City universe forever. Twenty shows in one article and this doesn’t even cover everything that got axed. The message is clear: in modern television, nothing is safe. Not ratings winners. Not critical darlings. Not even shows that get canceled and uncanceled twice. When networks decide the economics don’t work, your favorite show dies. And 2025 proved they’ll kill absolutely anything without hesitation.
