The midseason lineup of CBS does not include "Person of Interest" season 5, giving fans the impression that the series is in trouble. According to reports, the network may be pushing the premiere date of the series to summer 2016, where there isn't a lot of competition.

This is apparently for the show to revive itself after the low ratings it generated in the previous season. Despite its poor performance this year, rumors claim that CBS is willing to give the show one last shot for redemption before officially axing it.

Unlike the past seasons, which had 22 episodes, "Person of Interest" season 5 will only run have 13. As per reports, producers believe that this is a crystal clear sign that the end is near for the science fiction crime drama. The cast and crew reportedly even treat season 5 as their last.

It would look like the shortened fifth season will only allow the show to tie everything in a bow and answer the questions posed in season 4. It is unclear if the show's performance in the upcoming season will turn its future around or change the mind of CBS about what is being understood as its cancellation.

Meanwhile, there's also word that the delay of "Person of Interest" season 5 was a necessary move for CBS to prioritize its own series. The sci-fi show is only licensed to the network so it wants its focus first on their native television offerings.

There's also the possibility that the fact that the season is still in production and post-production work, which may or may not take long, set to start shortly after, so it would be impracticable for CBS to pinpoint a midseason premiere date.

Whatever is the reason for the show's apparent delay remains a mystery, although one thing that's certain is that the show's fate now hangs in the balance. Whether or not it ends up sharing the same fate as "Under the Dome," which was unexpectedly cancelled after four seasons months back, only time will tell.