CBS canceled both Watson and DMV after their first seasons in 2024

CBS ended Watson, a legal drama that premiered in September 2023, after its second season concluded in May 2024. The network also canceled DMV, a comedy that debuted in fall 2023, after one season. Both shows were part of CBS's lineup but did not return for additional seasons, joining dozens of other broadcast and streaming cancellations that year.

If you watched either show and want to know what happened to them, where to watch what exists, or how broadcast cancellations work, this guide covers those questions. The cancellations themselves were business decisions based on ratings and production costs — the same factors that determine whether any show continues or ends.

Key Takeaways

  • Watson ran for two seasons on CBS before cancellation, while DMV completed one season before the network ended it.
  • Both shows remain available on Paramount+ (CBS's streaming service) where they aired or were made available after broadcast.
  • Broadcast networks cancel shows based on viewership numbers, advertising revenue, and production budgets — not on quality alone.
  • Canceled shows sometimes move to other networks or streaming services, but neither Watson nor DMV found new homes after CBS ended them.
  • You can still watch existing episodes of both shows through Paramount+ or other platforms where CBS made them available.

Where to watch Watson and DMV now

Watson and DMV are both available on Paramount+, CBS's streaming service. All episodes that aired on CBS are typically added to Paramount+ either during the season or shortly after it ends. You need a Paramount+ subscription to watch, though the service offers both ad-supported and ad-free tiers.

Some episodes may also be available for purchase through digital retailers like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or Google Play, though availability varies by region and changes over time. Check those platforms directly to see current pricing and what's in stock.

If you have a cable subscription that includes CBS, you may be able to stream recent episodes through the CBS website or app, though this access is usually limited to the current season and a few weeks of back episodes.

Why CBS canceled both shows

Broadcast networks make cancellation decisions based on three main factors: viewership numbers, advertising revenue, and production costs. A show that costs $3 million per episode needs higher ratings to justify its budget than a show that costs $1 million. If viewership drops below what advertisers will pay for, the network stops producing it.

Neither Watson nor DMV drew the audience size CBS needed to continue them. This does not mean the shows were bad — it means they did not reach enough viewers in the time slots CBS gave them, or the viewers they did reach were not the demographic advertisers wanted to pay for. Broadcast television relies entirely on advertising, so ratings matter more than critical reviews.

Streaming services like Netflix or Apple TV+ use different math: they care about subscriber retention and growth rather than weekly ratings. A show that flops on CBS might survive on a streaming service because the economics work differently. Watson and DMV did not move to another network or service, which suggests neither found a buyer willing to take on production costs.

How broadcast cancellations differ from streaming cancellations

When a broadcast network like CBS cancels a show, it usually means the show is truly over. Broadcast networks own the shows they produce and decide whether to continue them based on that week's ratings and the next week's ad sales. If ratings drop, they can cancel within days.

Streaming services often cancel shows differently. They may cancel after one season even if viewership is decent, because they measure success by whether the show brings in new subscribers or keeps existing ones — not by weekly ratings. A show can also move between services: a Netflix cancellation might lead to a pickup by Apple TV+ or Amazon. This happened with shows like Manifest (Netflix to Netflix, but revived) and Lucifer (Fox to Netflix).

Broadcast cancellations are usually final. Once CBS ends a show, it rarely comes back unless another network buys the rights and wants to produce new seasons. That is expensive and uncommon, which is why most broadcast cancellations stick.

What happens to canceled show rights and reruns

When CBS cancels a show, the network retains the rights to all episodes that aired. CBS can continue to air reruns, sell the show to other networks for syndication, or make it available on Paramount+. The actors and crew are paid for the work they did, but they do not own the show itself.

Some canceled shows enter syndication, where local stations or cable networks buy the rights to air old episodes. This is less common now than it was 20 years ago, because streaming services have changed how people watch television. Watson and DMV are unlikely to appear in syndication, but they will remain on Paramount+ as long as CBS keeps the service running.

If you own physical media (DVDs or Blu-rays) of either show, you own that copy forever. CBS cannot take it back. Digital purchases through Amazon or Apple are technically licenses, not ownership, so they could theoretically disappear if the licensing agreement ends — though this is rare for recent shows.

Can canceled shows come back or move to other networks

Yes, but it is uncommon. A canceled broadcast show can move to another network, a cable channel, or a streaming service if that outlet wants to buy the rights and produce new seasons. This requires the new network to believe the show will draw enough viewers to justify production costs — a high bar.

Some shows have been revived years later: Arrested Development moved from Fox to Netflix, Lucifer moved from Fox to Netflix, and Manifest was revived by Netflix after NBC canceled it. These are exceptions, not the rule. Most canceled shows stay canceled.

For Watson and DMV, no other network or service has picked them up. This suggests the shows did not have enough of a following or enough perceived value for another outlet to invest in them. That could change if either show develops a cult following on Paramount+, but it would require significant audience growth and active campaigning by fans.

How to find out about future cancellations and renewals

CBS announces renewals and cancellations in May and June each year, after the broadcast season ends. The network makes decisions based on the full season's performance, not just the first few episodes. You can find these announcements on CBS's official website, entertainment news outlets like Variety or The Hollywood Reporter, or fan sites dedicated to TV news.

If you want to follow a show you care about, set up alerts on Google News for the show's title plus "renewed" or "canceled." You can also follow entertainment reporters on social media — they break cancellation news quickly. Fan campaigns and petitions sometimes influence networks, though they rarely reverse a cancellation decision on their own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Watson and DMV for free anywhere?

Both shows are on Paramount+, which requires a paid subscription. Some episodes may be available free on the CBS website or app if you have a cable login, but this access is usually limited to recent episodes. You cannot watch full seasons for free legally, though both shows may appear on free ad-supported platforms in the future.

Will Watson or DMV ever come back with new episodes?

It is unlikely. CBS has not indicated plans to revive either show, and no other network has picked them up. If a show does not find a new home within a year or two of cancellation, it usually stays canceled. A revival would require significant fan demand and a network willing to invest in production.

Why did CBS cancel Watson after two seasons but DMV after one?

Both shows failed to draw the audience CBS needed. Watson lasted longer because it may have had slightly better ratings or a lower production budget, but both ultimately did not perform well enough to justify continuing. Broadcast networks make these decisions based on viewership data and advertising revenue, not on how many seasons a show has aired.

Can I buy Watson and DMV episodes to own permanently?

You can purchase episodes through Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or Google Play, though availability varies by region. These are digital licenses, not permanent ownership — the license could theoretically expire if the rights agreement ends, though this is rare. Physical media (DVDs or Blu-rays) would be true ownership, but neither show may have been released on disc.

Where can I find other shows similar to Watson or DMV?

For legal dramas like Watson, try The Good Wife, Suits, or The Practice on streaming services. For comedies like DMV, search Paramount+ or other services for workplace comedies or ensemble casts. Entertainment news sites and streaming service recommendation pages can point you toward shows with similar themes or tone.