In a jaw-dropping shake-up that’s left millions of loyal viewers reeling, CBS has unleashed a brutal “major reset” on its prime-time lineup for 2026, axing beloved long-runners left and right while pouring resources into shiny new bets. The once-mighty “Eye Network” is slashing costs amid skyrocketing production budgets and shifting viewer habits – and no sacred cow has been spared.

The carnage is real: Fan-favorite sitcom The Neighborhood is heading for the exits in May 2026 after years of heartwarming laughs, while late-night icon The Late Show with Stephen Colbert – a cultural staple for a decade – will sign off for good later this year in a move that’s stunned the industry and sparked furious backlash from fans accusing the network of pulling the plug on sharp political satire.

But amid the devastation, one unbreakable titan rises above the ashes: Dick Wolf’s flagship procedural juggernaut FBI. Renewed through Season 9 (covering the 2026-2027 season) in a massive multi-year deal locked in back in 2024, the show starring Missy Peregrym and Zeeko Zaki remains CBS’s golden goose – proving that in this cutthroat era, only the strongest survive.

The Great CBS Purge: Why the Network is Slaughtering Its Own Hits

CBS executives aren’t mincing words: It’s “quality over quantity” time. With cast salaries ballooning in later seasons and licensing fees eating into profits, the network has been forced to prune aggressively to fund fresh faces like the promising Sheriff Country (the gritty Fire Country spinoff starring Morena Baccarin as no-nonsense Sheriff Mickey Fox) and Boston Blue (Donnie Wahlberg’s emotional Blue Bloods extension, following Danny Reagan to the Boston PD).

Insiders reveal this isn’t just about ratings – it’s survival. Long-running shows become “exponentially more expensive,” and CBS is betting big on new intellectual property that’s cheaper to produce and owns outright. The result? A network-wide bloodbath that’s left fans heartbroken and scrambling for answers.

The FBI Empire Crumbles: Tuesday’s All-FBI Block is Dead – Spinoffs Axed in Shocking Double Execution

The most gut-wrenching blow? The total dismantling of the iconic “All-FBI Tuesday” lineup that once dominated the night with seamless justice drama. For years, FBI, FBI: International, and FBI: Most Wanted formed an unbeatable trio – but CBS has pulled the trigger on the siblings.

FBI: International (starring Jesse Lee Soffer) and FBI: Most Wanted (led by Dylan McDermott) were both canceled after their current seasons, with neither returning for 2025-2026. The reasons? Sky-high costs – especially International‘s overseas filming – and a strategic pivot to avoid oversaturating the brand ahead of the hotly anticipated new spinoff FBI: CIA (featuring Tom Ellis in a high-stakes FBI-CIA task force crossover).

CBS bosses have admitted the spinoffs simply “weren’t penciling out from an economic perspective.” Fans are devastated, flooding social media with cries of betrayal: “How can you kill the family?!” one viewer raged. The once-unstoppable Tuesday block is history – consolidated back to the core FBI to let the mothership shine alone.

FBI: The Unkillable Beast – Locked In Through Season 9 as Monday’s Ratings King

While the spinoffs bleed out, the original FBI is untouchable. Renewed through Season 9 thanks to that iron-clad 2024 deal, the show has held firm even after shifting to Mondays at 9/8c in late 2025 – still claiming the crown as Monday’s #1 entertainment program.

The magic? Explosive chemistry between Special Agents Maggie Bell (Peregrym) and OA Zidan (Zaki), whose partnership remains the heartbeat of the series. “Some formulas are too valuable to mess with,” one insider told us. In an era of resets, FBI is the exception – a ratings powerhouse that keeps delivering week after week.

What’s Next for FBI? Season 8 Drama, Season 9 Teases, and the Rise of FBI: CIA

The current Season 8 (2025-2026) has leaned harder into serialized storytelling to mesh with its new Monday neighbors, diving deep into the personal toll on the JOC team. Jubal Valentine faces crushing leadership pressure, while Maggie steps up as a mentor in emotional arcs that have viewers hooked.

Looking to Season 9 (premiering fall 2026), expect the core cast to return intact – no major exits on the horizon. The show will likely absorb elements from the canceled spinoffs, ramping up global high-stakes cases right from the New York field office.

And keep your eyes peeled for FBI: CIA teases: Backdoor pilot episodes are rumored for spring 2026, introducing the new characters and setting up the franchise’s next chapter in 2026-2027. Could crossovers bring back familiar faces? Fans are praying for it.

The Late-Night Gut Punch: Colbert’s Final Bow Signals End of an Era

Adding insult to injury, CBS’s late-night purge hit hard with The Late Show with Stephen Colbert‘s cancellation. Announced as a “purely financial decision” against a tough streaming landscape, the show ends in May 2026 – retiring the entire “Late Show” franchise after decades.

Colbert broke the news to a stunned audience, saying, “I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away.” Fans erupted in boos, and recent reports of network censorship (blocking a political interview) have only fueled outrage. Is this the death knell for bold late-night commentary?

Fresh Blood Rising: Sheriff Country and Boston Blue Steal the Spotlight

As old guards fall, new stars emerge. Sheriff Country – the Fire Country spinoff with Morena Baccarin leading the charge in small-town Edgewater – has already earned a Season 2 renewal after strong early buzz. Friday nights are heating up with character-driven crime-solving and family drama.

Meanwhile, Boston Blue sees Donnie Wahlberg reprise Danny Reagan in Boston, paired with a new law enforcement family. Renewed for Season 2 amid solid ratings, it’s proof CBS’s gamble on spinoffs can pay off – even as others crash and burn.

The Brutal Truth: In 2026 TV, Loyalty Means Nothing – Ratings and Dollars Rule All

CBS’s 2026 reset is a stark warning: No show is safe forever, not even cherished franchises. While we grieve the losses – the FBI family splintered, Colbert’s mic going dark, neighborhoods fading – the survival of the original FBI offers a glimmer of hope.

Dick Wolf’s powerhouse endures, ready to carry the torch into Season 9 and beyond. In a world of endless streaming wars and budget battles, sometimes the simplest formula wins: Catch bad guys, build unbreakable teams, and keep the viewers coming back.

But for fans of the fallen? The pain is real – and the remote feels a little heavier tonight.