Summer on broadcast TV is a wasteland of repeats and cheesy reality shows, but it doesn't have to be. New shows that were aired in the summer were generally burn-offs of shows they didn't think would make it during the regular season. The cable nets have proven that it is possible to air quality (watchable) scripted series in the summer. The broadcast nets need to follow suit, even if it means starting with a show that gets only “neutral” ratings. If I were CBS, I would keep Flashpoint as a summer-only show and add one or two new shows each summer. Instead of making big announcements about year-round scheduling that turns out to be more reality shows (yes, I'm looking at you NBC), just start premiering a couple of shows a year during the summer, and resist the temptation to move them to the regular season.

As far as AI vs. DH, I'd knock no show that got a 3.0 or better rating in the 18-49 demo during the regular season. For the summer, I'd set the bar at 2.0. You and CBS may both set that bar lower than I.

For CBS, outside of some of its lineup of Monday night repeats (which perform admirably), Big Brother is the only thing that performs well in the demo. I brought up the scripted vs. unscripted because it seems like *new* scripted shows airing in the summer will be extinct soon on all the broadcast nets unless the bar gets set lower than a 2.0 in the demo.

I don't really see why the fact that the shows that beat it in the demo were reality shows matters. Do you knock Desperate Housewives because American Idol gets better numbers? While I would be quite pleased if the vast majority of “reality” shows got horrible ratings and were canceled (the exceptions mainly being on Discovery), the fact is, they get good ratings, particularly in the demo.

Especially given that this is a co-production (making it significantly cheaper for CBS) and how well it is apparently doing in Canada, I could see this coming back next summer (if it maintains these numbers).

Unless I'm missing a show somewhere, only 3 scripted shows premiered on broadcast networks this summer. Fear Itself never got off the ground. Swingtown has officially bombed (only holding the 1.3 demo from its repeat lead-in last night). Flashpoint has gotten respectable (though not spectacular) ratings so far. If CBS wants to provide real, year-round scheduling, then they need to start somewhere. Flashpoint could work as that starting point.