CBS gives full-season orders to all four new dramas
In a remarkable show of strength, the network extends four hour long freshman shows
It's a clean sweep for CBS. The network has given extended orders to all of its new dramas. NCIS: New Orleans, Scorpion, Madam Secretary and Stalker will be with us at least until the end of the 2014-15 season.
"These four shows have had an immediate impact on our schedule by improving nights, winning time periods and adding more hours of success across our primetime line up," said Nina Tassler, chairman of CBS Entertainment in making the announcement.
NCIS: New Orleans is the most-watched new series on TV. It's averaging 18.16 million viewers a week and scoring a 2.8 rating in the crucial 18-49 year old demographic. That's not much of a surprise for the hardy NCIS franchise. If CBS put on NCIS: Trenton, it would probably land in the Nielsen Top Ten.
The surprise hit for CBS is Scorpion, which is averaging 15.17 million viewers and a robust 3.6 rating in the 18-49 demo. But it will no longer have The Big Bang Theory's coattails to ride on on Mondays. The monster sitcom switches back to Thursdays this week.
Madam Secretary has been another find for CBS, with 13.53 million viewers. It has an Achilles heel however: a weak 1.8 rating in under 50s.
Call it irrational exuberance, but CBS also picked up Stalker for the season. The Dylan McDermott/Maggie Q suspenser is averaging 9.49 million viewers and a 2.1 rating.
Four new dramas.four full season orders. CBS is having itself a good fall.
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