Deadline is reporting that CBS has renewed venerable procedural Criminal Minds for a 13th season. The show wasn’t included in the network’s recent mass renewal due to being produced by ABC Studios, meaning that lengthier financial negotiations were needed to secure another season.
Though down about a quarter this year in Live + Same Day ratings, Criminal Minds still puts up solid Live + 7 numbers, averaging a 2.4 in the demo that puts it third among CBS scripted content. Undoubtedly contributing to the show’s softer live numbers is the rapid cast turnover it’s had to deal with this year; Minds has been no stranger to an ensemble capable of innumerable permutations, but the show’s 12th season has seen the departure of Shemar Moore and Thomas Gibson, the return of Paget Brewster, the promotion of Aisha Tyler (who was originally recurring to begin the season), and the addition of Adam Rodriguez and Damon Gupton. Luckily, the entire ensemble, including the core originals that still remain, will be returning for next season, so Minds will have more than enough time to settle into this version of itself.
No renewal decision has been made about the show’s second spinoff, globe trotting Beyond Borders, as of yet. However, with that show’s weak live ratings and small episode order, a renewal seemed most likely if it was packaged somehow with the mothership. Since Criminal Minds has been renewed without the spinoff in tow, Beyond Borders is going to have to perk up in order to earn the renewal on its own merits.
Beyond Borders joins a CBS bubble that includes 2 Broke Girls, Elementary, and The Great Indoors. The Odd Couple, Training Day, and Pure Genius are long shots to return.
Criminal Minds airs Wednesdays at 9:00 on CBS.
