CBS Sets Its Sights on the 2023-24 Season as True Lies and East New York Meet Cancellation
In a recent development, CBS has made the decision to cancel its two remaining shows on the bubble, True Lies and East New York. Despite running for just a single season, both series failed to secure a renewal. True Lies, a reboot of the popular film, is set to air its series finale on May 17, while East New York, a procedural drama, will conclude on May 14.
Representatives for CBS have chosen not to comment on the cancellations at this time.
These decisions coincide with CBS’s plans to unveil new series orders for the upcoming 2023-24 broadcast season on Tuesday, followed by the announcement of their fall schedule on Wednesday. Notably, CBS and its parent company Paramount Global have deviated from their traditional upfront presentation to Madison Avenue ad buyers, as that slot has been filled by Netflix this year.
CBS Reverses Cancellation of SWAT, Axes East New York and True Lies in Cost-Cutting Effort.
CBS has made some notable decisions regarding its lineup for the 2023-24 season. While the network reversed its initial plan to cancel veteran drama SWAT and renewed it for a seventh and final season consisting of 13 episodes, it simultaneously canceled two other shows. East New York, starring Amanda Warren and produced by Warner Bros. TV, and True Lies, featuring Steve Howey and Ginger Gonzaga and created by Matt Nix, failed to secure renewals.
The cancellation of East New York and True Lies can be attributed to the fact that CBS had to pay licensing fees to outside studios for both shows, unlike SWAT, which is a co-production between Sony Pictures Television and CBS Studios, with Paramount Global holding a stake. With linear ratings declining, networks like CBS are increasingly opting to fully own their scripted originals to keep costs down. As an example, CBS owns Blue Bloods but reduced the salaries of its cast and creatives by approximately 25 percent to sustain the show.
Another cost-saving measure was seen in the Chuck Lorre-produced comedy Bob Hearts Abishola, which is produced by Warner Bros. The show downsized the majority of its cast members from series regulars to recurring roles. For the upcoming season, CBS has a roster of returning series, including Blue Bloods, CSI: Vegas, The Equalizer, FBI, FBI: International, FBI: Most Wanted, Ghosts, NCIS, NCIS: Hawai’i, SWAT, The Neighborhood, Young Sheldon, Fire Country, and So Help Me Todd. Except for Young Sheldon and Abishola, which are produced by Warner Bros., CBS either fully owns these shows or has a co-production involvement, as Warner Bros. does not typically co-produce with prolific producer Chuck Lorre.
CBS Achieves a 50% Success Rate in Its Rookie Class, as Fire Country and So Help Me Todd Get Renewed
CBS experienced a mixed outcome with its rookie shows for the 2023-24 season. Out of the four new series, Fire Country and So Help Me Todd managed to secure renewals, while East New York and True Lies faced cancellations.
As CBS moves forward, it has already confirmed the inclusion of the Justin Hartley-led drama Tracker in its lineup for the upcoming season. Additionally, more series pickups are expected to be announced in the coming week. CBS currently has a diverse range of contenders, including two comedies—Jumpstart and an untitled Wayans project—and two dramas—Elsbeth, a spinoff of The Good Fight, and a sequel to the popular series Matlock.
With a 50% success rate among its rookie shows, CBS continues to navigate the competitive landscape of television programming, aiming to deliver a diverse and engaging lineup for its viewers.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
