Topline
New episodes of CBS scripted shows will return mid-February, the network announced Monday, becoming the first major network to announce its planned return after the months-long Hollywood actors’ strike came to an end last week.
CBS is the first of the major networks to announce the return of new scripted television episodes … [+]
Key Facts
The first new scripted television program to air after the strike will be an episode of a new CBS series called “Tracker” on February 11 after the network broadcasts the 2024 Super Bowl.
Later in the week, popular shows like “Blue Bloods,” “FBI,” “Ghosts,” “NCIS” and “Young Sheldon” will return to the network with new episodes.
Most of the shows that were part of the network’s primetime lineup were supposed to air beginning in September and are now expected to run for shorter 10 to 13 episode seasons, according to Variety.
All but two of the CBS shows previously announced in May for the September season will air beginning in February:“Matlock”, a reboot of legal drama starring Kathy Bates, and “Poppa’s House”, a comedy starring Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr., have both been postponed until the 2024-2025 season, the network said.
What To Watch For
ABC, Fox and NBC are expected to announce their lineups in the coming days, the New York Times reported.
Big Number
118. That’s how many days the strike by SAG-AFTRA, the actors’ union,lasted before the union reached a deal with film studios last week.
Key Background
Hollywood shut down over the summer after both the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA began striking for higher residual payments for work done on streaming platforms as well as stronger protections in their contracts involving artificial intelligence. The dual strike shut down production on most scripted TV shows. In September, the writers guild reached an agreement with the studios. The actors’ agreement, which was tentatively reached last week, included more than $1 billion in new wages and benefits, a new fund to pay performers who work on streaming shows and a 7% wage increase for many performers, SAG chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland told the Washington Post over the weekend. More information about the terms of the deal is expected to be released this week.
Further Reading
SAG-AFTRA Reaches Tentative Deal With Studios To End Strike (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/anafaguy/2023/11/13/new-episodes-of-cbs-scripted-shows-will-return-in-february/