Two CBS shows, ‘Watson’ and ‘DMV,’ are wrapping up after cancellations last month. Both shows had trouble gaining a steady audience, and their final episodes will air in early May.

‘Watson’ and ‘DMV’ Face the Axe

CBS recently confirmed it won't renew the medical drama ‘Watson’ and the comedy ‘DMV’ for another season. CBS announced the cancellations before unveiling its 2026-27 schedule, officially ending both series. ‘Watson,’ starring Morris Chestnut as the titular physician inspired by Sherlock Holmes’ famous sidekick, debuted in January 2025. It's currently airing its second season, which will conclude on May 3. ‘DMV,’ a workplace comedy centered on staff at a Los Angeles-area Department of Motor Vehicles office, premiered in October 2025. Its first and only season is set to wrap on May 11.

Both shows faced challenges in ratings and viewership. ‘Watson’ experienced a notable dip after CBS shifted its timeslot from Sunday to Monday, only to return it to Sundays later. This shuffle seemingly failed to boost its audience. Meanwhile, ‘DMV’ maintained consistent live ratings but saw declines in delayed viewing across streaming and other platforms. Because of these ratings trends, both shows ranked low on CBS, so their cancellations, though unfortunate, were expected.

Renewals and New Series on CBS

The end of ‘Watson’ and ‘DMV’ comes as CBS commits to a broad slate of returning and new shows. The network renewed a dozen dramas for the upcoming season, including fresh series like ‘Marshals,’ ‘CIA,’ ‘Sheriff Country,’ and ‘Boston Blue.’ The latter is a spinoff from the recently cancelled ‘Blue Bloods,’ which itself ended after 14 seasons in late 2024. CBS added previously ordered dramas like ‘Cupertino’ and ‘Einstein’ to its upcoming lineup.

On the comedy front, CBS is betting on two pilots—‘Eternally Yours’ and ‘The Tillbrooks’—to fill gaps left by cancellations. ‘Eternally Yours’ follows two vampires struggling with their daughter’s relationship with a human, starring Ed Weeks and Allegra Edwards. ‘The Tillbrooks’ is a multi-camera family sitcom set in 19th-century England, featuring Kate Walsh and Rhys Darby. Neither pilot has been fully picked up yet, but executives seem excited about ‘Eternally Yours,’ which got a good early reaction.

What Went Wrong for ‘Watson’ and ‘DMV’?

Ratings tell only part of the story; other reasons also led to the cancellations. CBS’ strategy to refresh its schedule means some shows—regardless of quality—get cut to make room for new content. ‘Watson’ had a concept blending medical drama with Sherlock Holmes-inspired deduction, but it didn’t quite catch on with viewers as hoped.

‘DMV’ offered a workplace comedy with a quirky premise, but it struggled to build a strong following in a crowded comedy market.

Both shows being relatively new—‘Watson’ in its second season and ‘DMV’ in its first—made them vulnerable. Networks often give new series a limited window to prove themselves in ratings and streaming metrics. After months of uncertainty, CBS made its decision to finalize the next season’s schedule. The network’s willingness to back numerous other dramas highlights its focus on proven performers and promising newcomers.

Looking Back at CBS’ Recent Cancellations

‘Watson’ and ‘DMV’ join a list of CBS shows that have been recently cancelled despite having devoted fans. One big name was ‘Blue Bloods,’ a police procedural that ran for 14 seasons before CBS surprisingly ended it in 2023. The show was a top-rated staple, blending crime stories with family drama around the Reagan family. Its cancellation sparked petitions and disappointment among viewers and cast alike. Yet, CBS moved forward with ‘Boston Blue,’ spinning off the family crime drama to a new city and fresh characters.

Streaming platforms have helped preserve shows like ‘Blue Bloods’ for new and returning audiences. Prime Video added the first five seasons of that series shortly after its finale, allowing fans to revisit the Reagan family’s story. But for ‘Watson’ and ‘DMV,’ no such streaming revivals have been announced so far.

By ending ‘Watson’ and ‘DMV’ this May, CBS is making space for new shows. We'll have to wait and see if the new pilots manage to attract viewers.