Why Did CBS Cancel Watson and DMV? An Explanation of TV Changes
CBS is undergoing some shifts following the cancellation of two of its shows.
On Friday, March 27, it was announced that Watson will not return for a third season, and DMV has been canceled after its inaugural season. The series finales for both shows are scheduled to air on May 3 and May 11, respectively.
This update came just a week before the network intended to reveal its 2026-27 schedule, which played a role in the decision to end both series.
In January, CBS had initially proclaimed a series of early renewals, leaving Watson and DMV in a precarious position. According to Deadline, the future of Watson hinged on the performance of Marshals and CIA, both of which received swift renewals, while DMV awaited decisions on comedy pilots Eternally Yours and The Tillbrooks (previously known as Regency).
CBS ultimately renewed a total of 12 dramas for the upcoming season, including all four freshman shows: Marshals, CIA, Sheriff Country, and Boston Blue. The network also greenlit two new shows for 2026-27: Robert and Michelle King’s Cupertino and Matthew Gray Gubler‘s Einstein.
Deadline suggested that the cancellation of DMV could allow Eternally Yours and The Tillbrooks to advance beyond the pilot phase at CBS. In contrast, Watson faced hurdles after an initial successful run. Following a delay that moved its second season to a Monday slot after CIA, Watson experienced a drop in viewership. DMV, meanwhile, also struggled, as its delayed multiplatform ratings fell despite a strong start.
Despite the multiple cancellations, CBS has found success with new offerings like the Yellowstone spinoff Marshals, which has been renewed for a second season after its premiere attracted 20.6 million viewers within a week. This marked the most-watched network original series premiere without a football lead-in since 2017.
“Marshals delivered an impressive performance, reaching a vast audience across platforms and quickly establishing itself as one of television’s most significant new series,” said CBS Entertainment president Amy Reisenbach in a statement. “The overwhelming response from viewers highlights the strength of the Yellowstone franchise, engaging character-driven storytelling from the creative team, and the dynamic performances led by Luke Grimes.”
According to a press release, CBS has seen several victories, with Marshals and Justin Hartley‘s Tracker ranking as the top two most-watched shows during their premiere week. Meanwhile, the premiere of Grimes’ spinoff became CBS’ most-streamed episode ever on Paramount+.
Boston Blue and Sheriff Country also received swift season 2 renewals, with Sheriff Country averaging 7.6 million viewers and Blue Bloods achieving 8 million viewers, dominating “every Friday night in total viewers.”
“Two new series on Friday night have become instant favorites, with audiences quickly embracing Boston Blue and Sheriff Country across both broadcast and streaming platforms,” Reisenbach commented in a statement. “These early renewals reflect the power of character-driven storytelling, captivating narratives, and the exceptional talent behind and in front of the camera that make these series stand out.”
