Before Blue Bloods was officially canceled, things had been a bit strange. The show was a major ratings success on Friday nights, yet CBS hinted that the cancellation wasn’t due to budget issues alone. As we entered the 2025 TV season, Friday nights felt a little emptier without the iconic Reagan family, and I wasnโt exactly surprised. But it turns out CBS may have known what it was doing, as its newcomer, NCIS: Sydney, has stepped in as a solid replacement.
One reason we were given for Blue Bloods being axed was that CBS had an abundance of content on hand. In fact, some of its NCIS shows were moved to Paramount Plus instead of airing on the network. This meant saying goodbye to the beloved New York-based family cop drama, which left fans frustrated. However, in its place, U.S. viewers have been introduced to the second season of NCIS: Sydney.
And, as it turns out, thatโs been good news for CBS.
How NCIS: Sydney Has Boosted Friday Night Ratings
Thereโs no shade thrown at Fire Country or S.W.A.T., but it seems both shows struggled without a strong lead-in. According to a report from TV Line, NCIS: Sydney premiered to 4.15 million total viewers, which helped boost the ratings for both Fire Country and S.W.A.T.โwith Fire Country up 15% and S.W.A.T. up 12% from the week prior.
That said, the ratings still havenโt matched the heights Blue Bloods reached. During the fall TV season, Blue Bloods averaged 5.07 million total viewers, and its finale brought in a staggering 6.7 million viewers, going out on a high note. Sure, ratings are typically higher during the first few weeks of the fall, and finales always draw big numbers, but itโs hard to ignore the fact that Blue Bloods had stronger viewership, a point that Tom Selleck has been vocal about for years.
Additionally, NCIS: Sydney has seen a slight dip compared to its first season, which aired on Tuesdays. The show didnโt air during the fall season, so some viewers may have lost interest. However, bringing it to Friday nights could help regain momentum and potentially increase the showโs ratings.
The Best Case Scenario
The hope is that NCIS: Sydney‘s numbers continue to improve and eventually match the strong ratings Blue Bloods enjoyed. If that happens, then the decision to cancel Blue Bloods might start to make more sense.
Otherwise, CBS could have made a misstep in letting go of Blue Bloods. If thatโs the case, I sincerely hope the network is seriously considering a spinoff to keep the Reagan familyโs legacy alive.
