CBS’ Friday Night Shake-Up: ‘NCIS: Sydney’ Delayed, ‘S.W.A.T.’ New Anchor

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With the 2025 TV season revving up, CBS is instigating substantial modifications to its programming schedule, particularly on Friday evenings. The second season of “NCIS: Sydney” has been delayed by a week, which is disappointing for fans excitedly waiting for the continuation of the global spin-off of the cherished series. Yet, this change is merely a piece of a broader reshuffle in CBS’s prime-time schedule following the termination of another highly popular show.

Based on a report from CBS, the second season of NCIS: Sydney was initially planned to debut on January 31st. However, due to unspecified reasons, it will now air on February 7th at 8 p.m. ET. Following this, Fire Country and S.W.A.T. will be aired. The shift in schedule is attributed to the fact that Fire Country did not re-air an episode due to the LA wildfires and the conclusion of Blue Bloods, demonstrating the flexibility of the programming during the holiday break. The press release indicates that the delay in NCIS: Sydney’s premiere is due to a forthcoming special announcement.

This change indicates that several programs are moving into time slots previously occupied by “Blue Bloods,” which concluded in December following its 14th season. The show’s ending was a significant disappointment for both fans and cast members who had hoped to keep the series alive on streaming platforms. Unfortunately, the network chose to cancel it altogether.

Over time, regular Friday night viewers grew familiar with the prime-time schedule, where Blue Bloods held the 10 p.m. spot as the main feature. Now, NCIS: Sydney heads the evening’s programming, while S.W.A.T. has moved to the 10 p.m. time slot and takes over as the new anchor. Meanwhile, Fire Country has consistently been on at 9 p.m., and it will continue to stay there.

Remarkably, the series S.W.A.T. underwent cancellations and renewals on more than one occasion. This means that in an alternate reality, the lineup for Fridays on CBS could have looked drastically different. Fortunately, due to dedicated fanbase and social media campaigns, Shemar Moore’s show remains active. Consequently, Friday evenings still hold a touch of their pre-Blue Bloods cancellation atmosphere.

As a devoted cinephile, I must admit that the void left by “Blue Bloods” seems to be filled quite adeptly with “NCIS: Sydney”. Although the cast and tales of “Blue Bloods” have become cherished favorites, this spinoff promises an array of fresh experiences. Similar to its predecessor, it’s a high-intensity procedural with a dash of humor here and there. However, this new rendition of the franchise takes the popular format a step further by introducing international intrigue against the backdrop of Australia. It’s also an excellent match for “Fire Country” and “S.W.A.T.”, both of which are high-stakes, character-driven procedurals.

This major shift might prove challenging for fans, given the long-running popularity of “Blue Bloods.” The sudden cancellation of the show, despite the cast’s eagerness to continue, appears hasty. However, CBS seems determined to maintain a consistent tone in its Friday programming as it enters a new phase, providing an opportunity for these procedurals to thrive and attract the devoted fanbase that “Blue Bloods” had. Change can be tough, but I’m looking forward to this revamped lineup and seeing what Season 2 of “NCIS: Sydney” brings.

You’ll be able to watch the fresh season of NCIS: Sydney at 8:00 p.m. ET on February 7, and then continue with CBS’s Friday night programming. If you happen to miss an episode or even the previous season, don’t worry! You can stay up-to-date by streaming episodes using a Paramount+ subscription.

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2025-01-18 19:37