After its suspicious absence fromCBS' list of renewed shows last monthwhich raised eyebrows,Deadlinehas now reported that contrary to fears,Blue Bloodswill be back for another season. The cop drama has since its premiere been one of the most successful primetime shows on the network. However, its fate hung on a balance after it failed to make the list of similarly successful shows renewed on the network last week. We’re now learning that there was a reason for the ommission and that the renewal only came after the show’s producers and actors agreed to make a small compromise.
Blue Bloodshas continued to deliver thumping numbers for CBS as far as ratings go. It remains the network’s most-watched program in the Friday lineup and ranks third among broadcast dramas with a whopping 9.54 million viewers recorded per episode. Live +35-day multi-platform viewing further raises that number to 11 million. In spite of those figures, it’s a given thatveteran showsnaturally become more expensive as they age, and the linear ratings also tend towards decline. Thus, to keep business profitable,CBShad to seek a concession from producers.Deadlinereports that in order to secure a Season 14 renewal for the show, its crew and cast had to agree to a 25% cut in wages. It’s a weighty cut, however, it was one that had to be agreed upon to save the livelihood of hundreds of production staff who work on the show.
“Blue Bloods has dominated Friday nights since its premiere and remained an important anchor for CBS’ winning lineup,” CBS Entertainment President,Amy Reisenbachsaid in a statement. Further adding; “Led by the outstanding Tom Selleck, and an incredible cast and creative team, viewers continue to embrace the Reagan’s, their law enforcement family, and the series’ dramatic storytelling. We can’t wait to pull a chair up to the Reagan family dinner table for another fantastic season.”Blue Bloodsnow joins a host of other previously renewed shows includingBob Hearts Abishola,NCIS: Hawai’i,So Help Me Todd,Young Sheldon, andCSI: Vegaswhich will all be back for the 2023-2024 TV season.Blue Bloodsnow leaves behindS.W.A.T.andEast New Yorkin the list of shows still awaiting their fate to be decided by the network.
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Blue Bloods Will Welcome Back All of Its Original Cast Members
Fans can expect a full table at those Reagan family dinners as no major cast members have been announced to be departing the show.Tom Selleckwill be back to ensure the family bond remains strong as patriarch, Frank Reagan. Also returning areDonnie Wahlberg,Bridget Moynahan,Will Estes,Len Cariou,Marisa Ramirez,andVanessa Ray.Blue Bloodsfollows the professional and personal lives of the Reagan family all of whom have ties to the NYPD.
The showcontinues to rank in theTop 10 list of programsonParamount+in terms of total minutes viewed and ties withNCIS: Los Angelesas the second-longest currently running series at CBS.
CBS airs new episodes ofBlue Bloodson Friday nights at 10 p.m. ET/PT. You can stream all episodes of the series live and on-demand on Paramount+. Watch a sneak peek of the show below:
