After being almost a sure-thing to show up on CBS’ fall schedule this year, it was announced earlier today that the “How I Met Your Mother” spin-off will no longer be a part of their new line-up this fall.
According to The Vulture, CBS is unhappy with the way the pilot turned out and will only be willing to go ahead with the series if the show runners reshot the pilot and choose new cast members. In response, Bays and Thomas agreed to do so, but only if CBS ordered the show to series, which CBS wasn’t willing to do.
Aside from creative differences, one of the big issues also could be that since it is a Fox produced series, CBS would most likely be left out when it came to syndication rights. As much money as these shows make when they air, tons come in after-the-fact when they are licensed out to other networks in syndication. With those two, huge stumbling blocks in the way, CBS decided just to cut ties and not air the show.
This doesn’t mean HIMYD will never see the light of day. Bays, Thomas and Fox are free to shop the show to other networks or even air it on Fox, but with the new season line-up pretty much already decided, I’d be very surprised if we saw it in the fall. If anything, it might show up on cable, and then probably only during the winter break or in the spring.