Robert posted earlier about CBS’s new 2008 fall schedule. I’ll compare the Eye’s Fall 2008 schedule to its Fall 2007 schedule, and look at what worked, what didn’t work and what might happen next fall.
Unlike ABC who is introducing only 2 new shows next fall, CBS is introducing 5 new shows (and four hours of shows) (Worst Week, The Mentalist, Project Gary, Eleventh Hour, and The Ex-List). That’s pretty close to the 5 new shows (and 4.5 hours of shows) introduced in fall 2007 (The Big Bang Theory, Cane, Kid Nation, Moonlight, and Viva Laughlin)
There will be just 4 hours of unscripted programming in Fall 2008 compared to 6 hours in Fall 2007, but no more employment for striking writers, since CBS is simply replacing the 2 Crimetime Saturday hours with drama reruns. CBS won’t be introducing any new unscripted programming next fall.
CBS started last fall down about 8% vs. the previous season, but the strike hit them the hardest of the big networks, as they sunk to almost 20% behind 2006-7 at one point. The failure of their new shows was a big factor. Only one new show from their Fall 2007 lineup, The Big Bang Theory, returns for Fall 2008.
Next fall, CBS is betting more heavily on comedies, introducing 3 shows/ 2 hours (Worst Week, The Ex-List, Project Gary) likely as at attempt to grab a somewhat younger demographic. Last fall CBS introduced only one comedy.
CBS will introduce 2 new drama hours (The Mentalist, Eleventh Hour) vs. 3 new drama hours last fall. Based on past experience, yet knowing little about those shows, I’m going to guess that we’ll be seeing “Save Our Eleventh Hour“ letter writing campaigns underway next season. Here’s a quote that future fans can feel free to use “Eleventh Hour is the only show I watch on CBS, the rest of their schedule is garbage. If they drop Eleventh Hour, I’ll never watch another CBS show again.” You’ve been warned.
CBS Fall 2007 Schedule Shows vs. Fall 2008 Schedule Shows
|
2007 |
2008 |
|
| Monday | ||
| 8-8:30p | HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER | THE BIG BANG THEORY |
| 8:30-9p | THE BIG BANG THEORY | HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER |
| 9-9:30p | TWO AND A HALF MEN | TWO AND A HALF MEN |
| 9:30-10p | RULES OF ENGAGEMENT | WORST WEEK |
| 10-11p | CSI: MIAMI | CSI: MIAMI |
| Tuesday | ||
| 8-9p | NCIS | NCIS |
| 9-10p | THE UNIT | THE MENTALIST |
| 10-11p | CANE | WITHOUT A TRACE |
| Wednesday | ||
| 8-8:30p | KID NATION (8-9p) | NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE |
| 8:30-9p | GARY UNMARRIED* | |
| 9-10p | CRIMINAL MINDS | CRIMINAL MINDS |
| 10-11p | CSI: NY | CSI:NY |
| Thursday | ||
| 8-9p | SURVIVOR: CHINA | SURVIVOR |
| 9-10p | CSI | CSI |
| 10-11p | WITHOUT A TRACE | ELEVENTH HOUR |
| Friday | ||
| 8-9p | GHOST WHISPERER | GHOST WHISPERER |
| 9-10p | MOONLIGHT | THE EX-LIST |
| 10-11p | NUMB3RS | NUMB3RS |
| Saturday | ||
| 8-9p | CRIMETIME SATURDAY | Drama rerun |
| 9-10p | CRIMETIME SATURDAY | Drama rerun |
| 10-11p | 48 HOURS MYSTERY | 48 HOURS MYSTERY |
| Sunday | ||
| 7-8p | 60 MINUTES | 60 MINUTES |
| 8-9p | VIVA LAUGHLIN | THE AMAZING RACE |
| 9-10p | COLD CASE | THE UNIT |
| 10-11p | SHARK | COLD CASE |
*originally titled Project Gary.
Shows in BOLD CAPS are/were new, shows in italics are unscripted, 2007 shows in strikethrough did not return.
Rules of Engagement and Harper’s Island are slated as mid-season replacements.
I didn’t think it was worthwhile to compare the announced Winter 2009 and future schedules to this years for two reasons. One, this years Winter and Spring schedules were somewhat cobbled together in response to the writers strike. Two, schedules announced so far in advance have a habit of changing.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
11th hour looks to have a real good chance to be successful if its even close to decent. that timeslot is ratings gold.
the other timeslot that is ratings gold is the one after 2.5 men; worst week should pull decent numbers but cbs seems to be searching for a real hit here otherwise it would be complacent w/rules.
the Wednesday comedies will only succeed if old christine viewers migrate, which i kind of doubt. I would of liked cbs try some single camera sitcoms here, instead of playing it safe.
there is no reason to believe ex-list will pull in any better numbers than moonlight especially since it looks to tackle the same demo as moonlight.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
WORK WEEK? Not a good idea for a show name. People will be calling it WORST SHOW - if it doesnt get great ratings right off the bat.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
CBS chance to have the 19-49 female demographic they covet died when Moonlight was canceled..
Since Joel Silver seems to be shopping Moonlight to CWTV among others, maybe there will be another season.
May 14th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
cbs has lost my viewership with the cancellation of “Moonlight”. i guess HGTV will be the only chanel left to watch now
May 17th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Yeah CSI isnt any fun to watch anymore b/c they got rid of the good characters and NCIS is ok. None of there new shows really apeal to me either
May 28th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
moonlight should not have been canceled !!!
June 10th, 2008 at 1:09 am
Are you moving your viewership to FOX or ABC or CW or to cable networks? CBS is acting stupid, FOX is beating their hind ends right now. FOX knows what works. CBS does not. One of the 4 networks should pick up Moonlight.
June 21st, 2008 at 6:25 pm
Now that Moonlight is gone as far as I am concerned CBS is gone too.
June 30th, 2008 at 8:26 am
My family wont be watching cbs anymore since cancelling Moonlight. It was the families favorite show.
July 11th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
yes!
how i met your mother is coming back for another season!!!
thats sooo great!
August 7th, 2008 at 1:28 am
All I can say is, CBS must not think much of their audience if they think anyone would be interested in The Ex-List. The whole premise of the show is stupid. I guess they will find some people with no taste to watch. Maybe they need to pay attention to what the viewers say instead listening to some bimbo with no taste. I hope The Ex-List is a total flop. I believe the CBS viewers have good taste and will boycott it. CBS believing The Ex-List will be a hit, makes me wonder who they are listening to.
August 12th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
rules of engagement best comedy with two and a half men
August 13th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Here's a novel idea…why don't you corporate dodos stop already with all of the friggin "reality" shows and stop cancelling interesting and unique shows like Cane and Moonlight?!?!?!? Seriously, if I have to sit through another show where people have to be voted off week by week, get engaged to someone they've only known for 3 weeks, or any other of these "reality" shows, I'm (and like Jerry Maguire's "Who's Coming With Me?" speech) going to stop watching network TV all together. I have a sneaking suspicion I won't be alone either. Now….WHO'S COMING WITH ME?!?!?
September 4th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Fed Up Viewer, I TOTALLY AGREE with your comment! My husband and I LOVED Cane! They have enough reality and comedy shows already. I think Cane brought something different , and something INTERESTING! I think they had a wonderful cast of actors and actresses! I am VERY UPSET to hear it won’t be returning, but The Big Bang Theory will?? COME ON! I don’t accept that no matter how you put it! I am a loyal fan of this show since day one! I was ANXIOUSLY AWAITING the return this fall! Surely they can come up with a better reason to cancel than the writer’s strike! This show was by far the best thing since Sopranos! When they were cancelled, my husband was really unhappy, but I told him about Cane and he was hooked immediately! If there is a petition out there anywhere to bring Cane back, I will gladly add my name!