The television landscape is one of constant change, with shows being born, living out their stories, and sometimes dying before their time. In 2025, CBS will face a major shake-up: both of its FBI spinoffs are being canceled. This comes as a shock to many, but honestly, it’s not entirely unexpected. As we look at the landscape of spinoffs, there’s one example from NBC that serves as a cautionary tale: One Chicago. This ambitious yet ultimately failed venture offers a lesson in what can go wrong when networks push too hard to replicate the success of their flagship shows.
So, what’s the deal with CBS’ FBI losing both of its spinoffs, and what does it have to do with the infamous failure of NBC’s One Chicago show? In this article, we’ll explore the similarities, the missteps, and why both networks might want to rethink their approach to building universes around a single hit show.
FBI Spinoffs: What Went Wrong?
The Rise and Fall of the FBI Franchise
CBS built a successful television universe with FBI as its cornerstone. The original show garnered solid ratings, and it was only natural that CBS would want to expand its empire with spinoffs like FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International. The idea was to create a cohesive universe that spanned across different locations and cases, giving viewers more of the characters and drama they loved.
But by 2025, CBS is pulling the plug on both spinoffs. Why? Several reasons contribute to this. First, the magic of the original show didn’t always translate to its spinoffs. While FBI had a solid formula that mixed procedural drama with action, the spinoffs failed to capture the same audience interest. Audiences became fatigued by the repetitive nature of the format and, in some cases, found the new shows a bit too familiar, with only slight tweaks to the original.
Over-Expansion: When Less Is More
One of the main reasons behind the failure of these spinoffs is simple: over-expansion. CBS tried to replicate the formula that worked in FBI without really considering whether these new series could stand on their own. The audiences didn’t always connect with the new characters or storylines, and the shows felt like fillers rather than integral parts of the original universe.
NBC’s One Chicago: The Show That Never Took Off
The Ambition Behind One Chicago
NBC’s One Chicago franchise was supposed to be the network’s answer to the massively successful Chicago universe on its sister network, CBS. Starting with Chicago Fire and branching out into Chicago PD, Chicago Med, and Chicago Justice, NBC aimed to create a cohesive world that could draw in viewers who loved police procedural dramas, hospital dramas, and firehouse action—all tied together with one central universe.
But the spin-off that didn’t work, Chicago Justice, was the network’s biggest failure, and it’s a critical learning point for any network looking to expand on a flagship show. The problem wasn’t the idea—it was the execution. In this case, the network’s desperation to create another Chicago-like universe clouded its judgment.
What Went Wrong with One Chicago’s Spinoff?
The fundamental problem with Chicago Justice was that it failed to differentiate itself. While Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago PD built strong character arcs and compelling storylines that pulled audiences in, Chicago Justice was one-note. It lacked the same emotional depth and connection that the other shows had. Viewers didn’t feel the same attachment to the characters in the courtroom as they did to the firefighters, doctors, or police officers.
Additionally, the show had a hard time standing out in a landscape filled with other legal dramas. There were too many similar shows already in the market, and Chicago Justice simply didn’t offer anything new or exciting enough to keep audiences engaged.
The Risks of Spinning Off a Popular Franchise
Audience Fatigue: Can Too Much of a Good Thing Become Overkill?
One of the biggest risks of spinning off a successful show is audience fatigue. Viewers love the original show because of its unique characters and fresh storytelling. But when you start offering them similar content over and over again with just a few tweaks, the magic can wear off quickly. This happened with CBS’ FBI spinoffs and NBC’s Chicago Justice.
Viewers didn’t necessarily want more of the same—what they wanted were new, fresh perspectives and innovative storylines that kept them on their toes. Unfortunately, both FBI and One Chicago spinoffs missed the mark by giving audiences more of what they already knew.
Lack of Strong Identity for Spinoffs
Another issue that both CBS and NBC struggled with was failing to create a strong enough identity for the spinoffs. A successful spinoff needs to have its own voice and tone, while still staying true to the original show. Without this balance, spinoffs often feel like a poor imitation. Both FBI: Most Wanted and Chicago Justice suffered from this issue. They were too close to their parent shows and didn’t bring anything fresh to the table.
What CBS and NBC Can Learn From Their Failures
1. Quality Over Quantity
Both CBS and NBC learned the hard way that it’s better to focus on producing one standout show than to flood the airwaves with multiple lackluster spinoffs. Just because a show works doesn’t mean every part of that universe will work. CBS should have focused on strengthening FBI before extending its brand, and NBC should have made sure that Chicago Justice offered something truly unique before giving it the green light.
2. Fresh Storylines Are Key
Both networks should learn from their mistakes and focus on creating innovative storylines for their shows, rather than trying to replicate the success of their flagship programs. FBI’s spinoffs lacked the originality needed to captivate audiences, and Chicago Justice didn’t have a fresh enough take on the legal drama genre.
3. Strong Character Development Is Crucial
The core of every successful show lies in its characters. The spinoffs of both FBI and Chicago Fire missed this mark by offering characters that weren’t as compelling or fully developed. If the audience doesn’t connect with the characters, they won’t stick around to watch the show.
Why Spinoffs Will Continue to Be a Risk for Networks
The Delicate Balance of Expanding a Universe
Expanding a universe is a high-risk, high-reward strategy. Networks must carefully consider whether there’s enough material to sustain multiple shows. Even successful shows like FBI and Chicago Fire found it challenging to create spinoffs that captured the same magic.
Could the Future of Spinoffs Be Changing?
With streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ becoming dominant players, the future of spinoffs may take a new direction. The trend is shifting towards creating limited series or single-season spin-offs rather than fully-fledged shows. This format allows networks to explore a concept without the commitment of long-term series.
Conclusion: Spinoffs Aren’t Always the Answer
In the case of CBS and NBC, both networks found out the hard way that spinoffs aren’t always the golden ticket to success. For CBS, the FBI franchise’s losses in 2025 serve as a reminder of the risks involved in trying to extend a successful show into multiple directions. Similarly, NBC’s experience with Chicago Justice offers valuable insight into how over-expansion can lead to a lack of identity and viewer connection.
Networks must focus on creating compelling content that stands on its own, rather than relying on the success of its predecessor. Whether it’s a police procedural, a medical drama, or a courtroom thriller, the key to success lies in fresh ideas, strong character development, and a unique perspective.
FAQs
1. Why did CBS cancel its FBI spinoffs?
CBS canceled both FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International due to declining viewership and a failure to connect with audiences the way the original FBI series did.
2. What was the problem with NBC’s Chicago Justice?
Chicago Justice failed to stand out from other legal dramas, lacked strong character development, and didn’t offer anything new to viewers, leading to its cancellation after one season.
3. Can spinoffs still be successful in TV?
Yes, spinoffs can be successful, but only if they bring fresh ideas, strong characters, and a unique angle that sets them apart from their parent shows.
4. How do networks know when to spin off a show?
Networks should spin off a show only when there is enough material, character depth, and audience interest to sustain a new series.
5. What can networks learn from the failure of FBI spinoffs and Chicago Justice?
Networks must focus on originality, strong character development, and fresh storylines. Over-expansion without these elements can lead to failure.
