It’s a time of 12 months when TV networks are gearing up for fall debuts, with previous initiatives simply specks within the rearview mirror. However for followers, these specks characterize all of the beloved reveals that had been canceled (or ended), and a few of these wounds simply gained’t heal over all the best way. Akin to CBS canceling Blue Bloods in November 2023, a choice that also ruffles feathers even regardless of the olive department of Donnie Wahlberg’s spinoff Boston Blue. coming to the 2025 TV schedule. And these new scores stats don’t precisely assist.
Now, it was by no means a secret that Blue Bloods was one of many most-watched scripted reveals for the majority of its 14-season run at CBS, even when its key 18-49 demographic scores skewed far decrease than others. The consistency of the Friday-night drama’s core viewership was an oft- touted purpose for why the community’s choice to cancel it was seen as misguided. TVLine’s viewers breakdown for the 2024-2025 season certainly helps that notion, and units up a bonkers comparability that speaks to the spectrum of community choices.
By way of complete viewers, Blue Bloods ended its run because the fourth-hightest scripted collection on TV, falling beneath three others CBS dramas: FBI, the moment hit Matlock, and Tracker’s list-topping second season. (Sunday Night time Soccer, MNF and 60 Minutes additionally scored larger complete averages.) Right here was its weekly complete:
- Blue Bloods’ Common Viewership: 7.9 million
That quantity alone, whereas not matching up with the present’s scores heights of yesteryear, would nonetheless be sufficient to attract assumptions that CBS renewed Blue Bloods moderately than axed it. However right here’s a wild element to think about: Fox renewed its total animated comedy lineup, and the full mixed viewers for all six collection remains to be smaller than Blue Bloods’ group. Take a look at this breakdown.
- Common Primary Guys – 1.79 million viewers +
- The Simpsons – 1.5 million +
- Bob’s Burgers – 1.2 million +
- Household Man – 926,000 +
- Krapopolis – 566,000 +
- Grimsburg – 505,000 +
- FOX ANIMATION TOTAL = 6.48 million
To make certain, that is akin to evaluating live-action apples to animated oranges, so it’s undoubtedly not a 1:1 ratio. A broadcast drama in its 14th season goes to be far costlier and unwieldy than most animated collection, with utterly completely different manufacturing processes concerned, and the expectations from community execs are additionally on completely different wavelengths. So I get it. However it’s nonetheless a baffling factor to note and take into consideration.
Simply to place it on the market, although: by no means cancel Bob’s Burgers, not even when there’s going to be a Boston Bob spinoff.
For now, followers can solely hope to see Tom Selleck’s Frank Reagan and others returning for household dinners with Donnie Wahlberg’s Danny at any time when Boston Blue hits CBS’ fall lineup. And till then, all 14 seasons will be streamed with a Paramount+ subscription.