CBS, which has traditionally rolled out just about all of its fall series during premiere week, is mixing things up some this year by stretching out its launches over a six-week period.
“The addition of ‘Thursday Night Football’ provides the flexibility to strategically roll out our fall season in multiple waves, maximizing promotional platforms and scheduling opportunities to give our new and returning series the best possible launch,” Nina Tassler, chairman, CBS Entertainment, said in a statement.
The fall schedule rollout, announced Tuesday, will see the Eye net using the season finales of summer dramas “Under the Dome” and “Extant” during premiere week. The initial week of the television season (Sept. 22-28) will also include an hourlong premiere (two back-to-back original episodes) of “The Big Bang Theory” on a Monday.
The net’s fall gets underway on Sept. 11 with the premiere of “NFL Thursday Night Football,” and its first entertainment series to launch are Sunday’s newcomer “Madam Secretary” and veteran “The Good Wife.” These will bow on Sept. 21, the night before the start of the television season, meaning they likely won’t be facing the premieres of ABC’s dramas during the same hours. CBS airs what figures to be a very highly rated football game late in the afternoon on Sept. 21 — a Super Bowl rematch between the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos — and that should help funnel more viewers than usual into the night.
“The Big Bang Theory,” which as expected will start its season on a Monday because of “Thursday Night Football,” will air an hour of originals on Sept. 22, which will be followed by the series premiere of drama “Scorpion.” This makes sense because “Scorpion,” despite being a crime drama, shares some of the nerd sensibilities of the smash sitcom.
The second-season finale of “Under the Dome” follows at 10, where its competition will include the season opener of NBC’s “The Blacklist.” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” which will be airing Mondays at 10 this fall after five seasons on Tuesdays, bows on its new night Sept. 29.
“Mom,” which will be following “The Big Bang Theory” on Mondays at the start of the season, will premiere on Sept. 29. “2 Broke Girls” will become the Monday leadoff hitter on Oct. 27.
Tuesday’s drama lineup, including “NCIS: New Orleans” at 9 p.m., launches during premiere week, on Sept. 23.
CBS FALL PREMIERE DATES
Thursday, Sept. 11
7:30-8:25 PM/ET THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL PRE-GAME SHOW
8:25 PM/ET NFL THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL (Pittsburgh @ Baltimore)
Sunday, Sept. 21
7:00-8:00 PM 60 MINUTES (47th Season Premiere)
8:00-9:00 PM MADAM SECRETARY (Series Debut)
9:00-10:00 PM THE GOOD WIFE (6th Season Premiere)
Monday, Sept. 22
8:00-8:30 PM THE BIG BANG THEORY (8th Season Premiere)
8:30-9:00 PM THE BIG BANG THEORY (New Episode)
9:00-10:00 PM SCORPION (Series Debut)
10:00-11:00 PM UNDER THE DOME (Season Finale)
Tuesday, Sept. 23
8:00-9:00 PM NCIS (12th Season Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM NCIS: NEW ORLEANS (Series Debut)
10:00-11:00 PM PERSON OF INTEREST (4th Season Premiere)
Wednesday, Sept. 24
8:00-9:00 PM SURVIVOR (29th Edition Premiere)
9:00-11:00 PM EXTANT (Two-Hour Season Finale)
Friday, Sept. 26
8:00-9:00 PM THE AMAZING RACE (25th Edition Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM HAWAII FIVE-0 (5th Season Premiere)
10:00-11:00 PM BLUE BLOODS (5th Season Premiere)
Saturday, Sept. 27
10:00-11:00 PM 48 HOURS (27th Season Premiere)
Sunday, Sept. 28
10:00-11:00 PM CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION (15th Season Premiere)
Monday, Sept. 29
8:30-9:00 PM MOM (2nd Season Premiere)
10:00-11:00 PM NCIS: LOS ANGELES (6th Season Premiere)
Wednesday, Oct. 1
9:00-10:00 PM CRIMINAL MINDS (10th Season Premiere)
10:00-11:00 PM STALKER (Series Debut)
Monday, Oct. 27
8:00-8:30 PM 2 BROKE GIRLS (4th Season Premiere)
Thursday, Oct. 30
8:00-8:30 PM THE BIG BANG THEORY (Regular Time Period Premiere)
8:30-9:00 PM THE MILLERS (2nd Season Premiere)
9:00-9:30 PM TWO AND A HALF MEN (12th Season Premiere)
9:30-10:00 PM THE McCARTHYS (Series Debut)
10:00-11:00 PM ELEMENTARY (3rd Season Premiere)
