Why Dick Wolf Chose CBS Over NBC for FBI—The Real Story Behind the Switch
Why Dick Wolf Chose CBS Over NBC for FBI—The Real Story Behind the Switch
Introduction
When you think of Dick Wolf, you probably picture NBC’s iconic lineup of Law & Order shows. After all, Wolf practically built the network’s identity around gritty legal and crime dramas. So when FBI premiered in 2018, many fans assumed it would air on NBC too. Surprisingly, it landed on CBS instead. But why? What could have pushed the mastermind behind NBC’s most successful franchises to take his latest series to a rival network?
Let’s dive deep into the surprising reason behind this major television move—and why it turned out to be one of Wolf’s smartest decisions yet.
The Legacy of Dick Wolf and NBC
Dick Wolf and NBC go together like peanut butter and jelly. Since the 1990 debut of Law & Order, Wolf has been NBC’s golden child. The original series spun off into SVU, Criminal Intent, Organized Crime, and more, cementing NBC as the king of procedural dramas.
For nearly three decades, NBC was Wolf’s creative home. It seemed unthinkable that his next big project would end up anywhere else. So why did FBI break tradition?
Why CBS Wanted FBI
CBS has long dominated the procedural drama genre. With hits like NCIS, Criminal Minds, and CSI, the network already had a strong grip on crime-focused storytelling. But by 2018, some of its older franchises were aging, and CBS needed fresh blood.
Enter FBI. A Wolf-produced drama offered CBS exactly what it craved: a new tentpole series that fit perfectly alongside its lineup while also attracting a loyal Wolf fanbase.
NBC’s Oversaturation Problem
At the time, NBC already had a full slate of Wolf shows on its schedule. With Law & Order: SVU, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, and Chicago Med, the network was swimming in Wolf content. Adding FBI might have created redundancy, making it difficult for the show to stand out.
CBS, on the other hand, had room for a new procedural powerhouse. That breathing space gave FBI a better shot at becoming the network’s next big hit.
The Business Side of the Deal
Television isn’t just about storytelling—it’s about business. Behind the scenes, production and distribution rights played a key role in where FBI landed.
CBS Studios co-produced FBI alongside Universal Television, meaning CBS had a financial stake in the series. That stake gave CBS extra motivation to push hard for the rights, ensuring it wouldn’t just be another NBC show but rather a CBS crown jewel.
Dick Wolf’s Strategic Vision
Wolf is a master strategist. He understood that planting FBI on CBS would diversify his portfolio. Instead of relying solely on NBC, he could expand his influence across multiple networks. This move allowed him to dominate crime drama storytelling on two of the biggest broadcast giants at the same time.
It was less about loyalty and more about legacy. Wolf wanted to prove he wasn’t confined to one network—he was bigger than that.
The Perfect Fit: CBS and FBI
CBS audiences love structured, case-of-the-week dramas with an overarching character narrative. FBI fit seamlessly into that formula. By joining CBS’s powerhouse lineup with NCIS and Blue Bloods, FBI quickly found its tribe.
If the show had aired on NBC, it may have been overshadowed by Wolf’s other juggernauts. On CBS, it became a marquee series in its own right.