The Equalizer is still waiting on a season 6 renewal from CBS (here's why)

The Equalizer has developed a loyal fanbase over the last five seasons. The show, while not as huge as, say NCIS or Blue Bloods, has been consistent, and Queen Latifah's titular performance has drawn widespread praise. Unfortunately, like so many other CBS titles, The Equalizer is on the bubble when it comes to cancelation.

There's been widespread debate as to why certain CBS shows have gotten the boot, while others have earned a renewal. The reasons have varied, but TV Insider's Matt Roush provided some specific insight regarding the current state of The Equalizer during a recent blog post. He notes that the show originates from an outside studio, which can oftentimes complicate negotiations when it comes time to contract extensions.

The Equalizer and SWAT have similar problems

“Guns and Roses” – After a young girl is the victim of a shootout in her neighborhood, the team races to find out if a gang war is afoot and whether the crime is connected to a shipment of stolen guns McCall is chasing down. Meanwhile, love is in the air when Aunt Vi and Delilah prepare for their respective dates, on the CBS Original series THE EQUALIZER, Sunday, Feb. 16 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on demand for Paramount+ with

"This situation has nothing to do with the quality of the show or its ratings," Roush assures fans of the crime series. If this sounds familiar to fans of CBS' scripted programming, it's because SWAT has run into the same issue over the past three years. SWAT has become a textbook example when it comes to tricky negotiations, as the show has been canceled, then revived, then canceled, then revived, and then canceled a third time.

The reasoning? You guessed it. SWAT originates from an outside studio, which has made CBS' attempts to negotiate renewals for the show more expensive than, say, renewals for a show that originates from within. It's the reason actor Shamar Moore has campaigned for other networks to pick up SWAT for additional seasons.

There are some indicators that The Equalizer may just secure a renewal, however. As some fans have been quick to point out, CBS has canceled several shows over the last few months, including two FBI spinoffs, Blue Bloods and the aforementioned SWAT. The fact that The Equalizer is still standing is a potentially good indication of renewal, as CBS could have easily lumped it in with its other canceled titles.

CBS will confirm the show's fate in May

“Haunted Heights” – McCall investigates a death in an apartment building where residents believe the structure is haunted after a young woman suspects her grandmother was pushed down a flight of stairs via supernatural means. Meanwhile, Aunt Vi helps Delilah get ready for her senior photos, on the CBS Original series THE EQUALIZER, Sunday, Oct. 27 (9:30-10:30 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on

CBS also announced plans for an Equalizer spinoff in November 2024. Deadline reported that the spinoff will focus on two characters who will be introduced in the current season of the main show: a "skilled younger female martial artist" and an "older male former top CIA operative." These two are set to debut in episode 516, and suggest that the network is still very much invested in the world of The Equalizer.

It's undoubtedly been tough to see so many titles get canned, but we remain hopeful that The Equalizer will live to fight another day! We will learn the show's fate in May, when CBS and other networks reveal their upfronts.