YOU’LL HAVE TO WAIT A LITTLE LONGER FOR BLUE BLOODS THIS FALL

CBS is taking a gamble and releasing its new and renewed scripted shows in October, making fans wait an extra month before they can enjoy the shows they love.

The move stems from a strategy to generate hype for new shows through sneak peeks following NFL games. The upcoming MATLOCK reboot will air a sneak peek episode on Sunday, Sept. 22, while THE SUMMIT sneak peek will come a week later.

Networks often capitalize on the high viewership enjoyed by live sports to air new series to the fans who don’t change the channel. While this strategy has not impacted syndicated shows in the past, CBS has decided it wants to air the new seasons of its scripted shows at the same time, rather than allow the familiar series to have a head start.

The result is that the network’s primetime shows like NCIS and BLUE BLOODS will begin their seasons in October, rather than in September — the normal beginning of the fall season. CBS’s fall season will begin on Monday, Oct. 14 with the airing of NCIS Season 22, followed by the new NCIS: ORIGINS, which will premiere with a two-hour special.

Other highlights of the premiere week include the FBI franchise on Tuesday, YOUNG SHELDON spinoff, GEORGE AND MANDY’S FIRST MARRIAGE on Thursday and the final half of BLUE BLOODS’ last season beginning on Friday.

While this unique strategy is changing the premiere of the network’s scripted shows, its unscripted shows will follow their normal release schedule, with SURVIVOR, 48 HOURS, THE PRICE IS RIGHT and 60 MINUTES starting their seasons in September.

Though this decision may irk some viewers who are excited to see more of their favorite shows, it is unlikely to have a long-term impact on the network’s viewership as CBS reigns as the top dog in  TV. Earlier this year, Nielsen found it was the top network for viewership for the 16th consecutive season.

CBS is taking a gamble and releasing its new and renewed scripted shows in October, making fans wait an extra month before they can enjoy the shows they love. The move stems from a strategy to generate hype for new shows through sneak peeks following NFL games. The upcoming MATLOCK reboot will air a sneak peek episode…