CBS this fall: Steady and strong, as always

Launch pad: Much-talked-about ‘Bull’ will debut in the post-‘NCIS’ timeslot.

Over the years, CBS has proven itself the steadiest of the Big Four networks.

It’s perpetually dominant among total viewers, and it’s won two of the past four years in adults 18-49. And with more new shows than usual this fall, it’s looking even stronger, media people say.

“It has no real holes, unlike the other networks,” a buyer tells Media Life.

One thing buyers are particularly happy with is the way in which CBS structured fall’s schedule. Nearly all of its new shows are moving into slots where they’ll have a strong lead-in.

That approach has worked well for the network in the past. Programs such as “NCIS: New Orleans” and “Mom” were not self-starters but rather built on established shows such as “NCIS” and “The Big Bang Theory.”

Now these new shows will do the same.

The new program buyers are most excited about, the Michael Weatherly drama “Bull,” will air after “NCIS” on Tuesdays. And CBS will use “Bang” to launch two new programs, “Kevin Can Wait” in September and “Great Indoors” in October.

“It’s still got the ongoing franchises that make the schedule powerful, and it’s building on them,” another buyer says.

Taking another shot at comedy

CBS has six new programs for fall, including three comedies. It’s adding an hour of comedy to the schedule, after scrapping Monday comedies last year in a move that failed.

It may seem risky to program more of a genre that’s struggled in recent years, but the new comedies are all safe, mostly domestic-focused programs that rely on older white male comedic actors CBS audiences are comfortable with—Kevin James, Matt LeBlanc and Joel McHale.

The network also has the early-season ratings draw of “Thursday Night Football,” which should keep it competitive with NBC and “Sunday Night Football” until “TNF” switches networks in October.

In the long term, CBS does need to start developing replacements for aging programs such as “NCIS” and “Criminal Minds.” Both shows remain key cogs in the network’s schedule, but even they can’t last forever.

“Bull” could be such a show. And “Minds” at least had a spinoff with decent numbers last year that will return at midseason.

With all that, buyers expect CBS to compete for No. 1 in 18-49s once again the coming season.

Tags: bull, cbs, cbs fall, cbs fall lineup, ncis, new fall shows, the big bang theory, the coming fall season