A short order for Criminal Minds' final season that took too long

It's usually quite easy to tell just how valuable a show is to a network by how quickly its executives ask that show's producers for another round of episodes. For example, NBC's Will & Grace revival did so well during its first season (2017–18) that the network renewed it for seasons two and three before that first season had concluded.

Conversely, last-minute re-ups generally indicate a network that's wishy-washy on its decision, meaning a show is likely getting ready to be canceled. Deadline reported in May 2018 that the Criminal Minds renewal for season 14 "came down to the wire" as network and studio hashed out negotiations. 

Another sign of dwindling network interest: smaller episode counts. The number of Criminal Minds season 14 episodes wasn't initially revealed, but CBS eventually decided on 15, far less than the standard order of 22.

The final season was even shorter — just ten installments. 

It's a new day at CBS, and Criminal Minds no longer fits in

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