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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.”
So why then are they getting this new show, which has a HIGHER licensing fee than Moonlight, and canning Moonlight?!
That’s a good line there, I’ve been using it myself for “Moonlight”, because it’s completely true–Moonlight is the only show I watch and have ever watched on CBS, the rest is garbage, and I do plan to never watch another CBS show again (not that any of the new ones interest me anyway)…..if in the future someone in my family is watching a show on CBS in the same room as me I’ll ask them to change the channel or I will leave the room….that’s how serious I am about this. I’m done with CBS…..
And “The Ex-List” looks extremely lame, I thought that even before I learned it would be replacing my show! I can’t wait for it to utterly fail and get lower ratings than Moonlight!
“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.”
So why then are they getting this new show, which has a HIGHER licensing fee than Moonlight, and canning Moonlight?!
That’s a good line there, I’ve been using it myself for “Moonlight”, because it’s completely true–Moonlight is the only show I watch and have ever watched on CBS, the rest is garbage, and I do plan to never watch another CBS show again (not that any of the new ones interest me anyway)…..if in the future someone in my family is watching a show on CBS in the same room as me I’ll ask them to change the channel or I will leave the room….that’s how serious I am about this. I’m done with CBS…..
And “The Ex-List” looks extremely lame, I thought that even before I learned it would be replacing my show! I can’t wait for it to utterly fail and get lower ratings than Moonlight!
I won’t be writing any letters for the Eleventh Hour because I won’t be watching CBS after all Moonlight episodes are done.
I won’t be writing any letters for the Eleventh Hour because I won’t be watching CBS after all Moonlight episodes are done.
cbs has lost my viewership with the cancellation of “Moonlight”. i guess HGTV will be the only chanel left to watch now
Dear CBS,
What happened to “Cane”?
yours truly, Dan Steinmiller
P.S. – 1st: The Class, Then: Moonlight… If you cancel Shark – I’m done with you as a viewer and you can stick your ratings where the sun don’t shine.
Dear CBS,
What happened to “Cane”?
yours truly, Dan Steinmiller
P.S. – 1st: The Class, Then: Moonlight… If you cancel Shark – I’m done with you as a viewer and you can stick your ratings where the sun don’t shine.
I am still upset over Moonlight’s cancellation, but I’m not prepared to can CBS altogether- I still enjoy HIMYM and Criminal Minds (although I sorely miss Mandy Patinkin) and since I’m a bit of a math geek, I like Numb3rs. So, they’ll get me for those shows. I still usually try out the new shows if there’s an interesting premise, but I won’t be making that list until it’s closer to Fall.
I am still upset over Moonlight’s cancellation, but I’m not prepared to can CBS altogether- I still enjoy HIMYM and Criminal Minds (although I sorely miss Mandy Patinkin) and since I’m a bit of a math geek, I like Numb3rs. So, they’ll get me for those shows. I still usually try out the new shows if there’s an interesting premise, but I won’t be making that list until it’s closer to Fall.
I’m not getting invested in any of their new shows. I got invested in Shark and Moonlight, and now they’ve been cancelled. So forget that idea. I do like NCIS, but I’m all CSI’d out, they have over saturated the market with that show. Anything else, I’ll stick to watching on the DVD sets that come out.
I’m not getting invested in any of their new shows. I got invested in Shark and Moonlight, and now they’ve been cancelled. So forget that idea. I do like NCIS, but I’m all CSI’d out, they have over saturated the market with that show. Anything else, I’ll stick to watching on the DVD sets that come out.
No Moonlight? That was the only reason why I watched CBS. Looks like I won’t be watching it anymore! Thanks a lot
It SUCKS that they are getting rid of Moonlight it, ghost whisperer, csi’s and Big Bang Theory are the only reason i watch the station. I guess i wont watch it any more.
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
moonlight should not have been canceled !!!
I’ve watched CBS off an on for years, I must say they have very few shows that appeal to me, But now it seems they have even fewer. With the cancellation of “Moonlight” there is only 2 shows I will remain watching on CBS and that is “How I Met Your Mother” and “Rules Of Engagement” both shows have a very good storyline and are well worth your time watching, but what I don’t understand is why are they put after crappy shows like the “Big Bang Theory” and “Two and a Half Men” those two shows don’t appeal to women at all. Women need there own TV night. Why must we suffer through two guy shows just to watch shows we enjoy?
And P.S. CBS your biggest mistake ever was cancelling The Class and now it seems you’ve hit another mistake by cancelling Moonlight.. YOU OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES FOR KILLING SUCCESSFUL SHOWS!
The only shows I watch are NCIS and The Big Bang Theory (which I started watching only after they got picked up). Won’t watch any of the new stuff until the second year because you never know if they will be picked up.