CBS, out of all of the major networks, tends to keep things pretty status quo when it comes to their programming and scheduling. They are television’s most-watched network so there really isn’t a lot of incentive for change but they’ll be doing things a tad differently, with the help of some familiar faces.
The revivals and reboots have cooled this season, especially after the failure of last season’s Murphy Brown revival. Big changes in the corporate upper ranks have also influenced its programming decision as this is the first development season without Leslie Moonves, who stepped down as CBS CEO amid allegations of sexual harassment. CBS is facing an interesting time as their Upfronts Presentation comes just a day before the series finale of The Big Bang Theory, which has been a cornerstone of the network for years.
CBS has tried to go for a diverse shift with parts of its 2019-20 fall schedule. At the same time, there are a lot of familiar faces and names on both side of the camera including Big Bang Theory co-creator Chuck Lorre, The Good Wife‘s masterminds Michelle King and Robert King plus more FBI from Dick Wolf next season. Along with the on-screen return of Everyone Love Raymond‘s Patricia Heaton and NCIS vet Pauley Perrette, CBS’ tried and true formulas for the most part still dominate the net’s five new shows for the fall and the midseason contenders. CBS Entertainment president Kelly Kahl elaborated on the approach:
“Our new lineup features both classic CBS shows and genres that viewers love, as well as some new series that push the boundaries of what you might expect from us. We are also saving some very strong series for the second part of the year as part of a strategy to roll out new and returning series throughout the season.”
Of course, with a few tweaks here and there, like S.W.A.T. moving back to 10 PM on Wednesdays, most of CBS’ upcoming schedule looks a lot like its previous schedule — as seems to be the case for most of the networks this year. Magnum P.I. is also moving from Monday night to Friday’s where it should thrive a bit more after a so-so performance on Monday’s. It also looks like the recently renewed MacGyver will make its comeback midseason.
CBS is also striving for more diversity this year. On screen, we’re seeing different voices and faces of color, gender and economic status in leading roles more representative of what America is in 2019. The Missick-led new drama All Rise has a lot of the typical criminal justice system tropes primetime procedurals have trafficked in for decades, but, like the Kings’ Evil with Luke Cage and The Good Wife alum Mike Colter, it also goes into deeper realms.
Check the CBS Fall 2019-20 Schedule below:
MONDAY
8-8:30 PM –The Neighborhood
8:30-9 PM — BOB ♥ ABISHOLA
9-10 PM — All Rise
10-11 PM — Bull
TUESDAY
8-9 PM — NCIS
9-10 PM — FBI
10-11 PM — NCIS: New Orleans
WEDNESDAY
8-9 PM — Survivor
9-10 PM — SEAL Team
10-11 PM — S.W.A.T.
THURSDAY
8-8:30 PM — Young Sheldon
8:30-9 PM –The Unicorn
9-9:30 PM — Mom
9:30-10 PM — Carol’s Second Act
10-11 PM — Evil
FRIDAY
8-9 PM — Hawaii Five-0
9-10 PM — Magnum P.I.
10-11 PM — Blue Bloods
SATURDAY
8-9 PM — Crimetime Saturday
9-10 PM — Crimetime Saturday
10-11 PM — 48 Hours
SUNDAY
7-8 PM — 60 Minutes
8-9 PM — God Friended Me
9-10 PM — NCIS: Los Angeles
10-11 PM — Madam Secretary
