CBS, once again, has the least number of time periods in primetime in need of repair. Ten additional series have been renewed.
CBS
‘Tis the season for early series renewals for the 2026–27 television season. CBS has confirmed the return of ten additional series: dramas Tracker, Matlock, Elsbeth, Fire Country, NCIS, NCIS: Origins, NCIS: Sydney; comedy Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage; and veteran reality competitions Survivor and The Amazing Race. They join previously announced pickups, including Boston Blue, Sheriff Country, FBI, and Ghosts. Of course, stalwart news magazine 60 Minutes will continue, and 48 Hours is expected back in its Saturday 10 p.m. ET slot.
VANCOUVER – MARCH 30: “Tracker” – Pictured: Justin Hartley as Colter Shaw. (Photo by Colin Bentley/CBS via Getty Images)
CBS via Getty Images
TORONTO – MATLOCK. Pictured: Kathy Bates as “Madeline Matlock”. (Photo by Michael Yarish/CBS via Getty Images)
CBS via Getty Images
Two new series have already been ordered for next season: the comedic crime drama Einstein and legal-themed Cupertino.
So, what’s left?
CBS faces some open questions. With The Neighborhood officially concluding this spring, the network may look to freshman series DMV for the Monday 8 p.m. ET anchor spot. But does it really have the chops to lead off the evening? Sunday night music competition The Road floundered in the fall, and true-crime series Harlan Coben’s Final Twist was shifted to a new night following weak ratings, making a second season unlikely.
That leaves sophomore detective drama Watson, returning in the Sunday 10 p.m. ET hour, potentially benefiting from a relocated lead-in, Tracker (which moves to 9 p.m. to make room for the Yellowstone spinoff Y: Marshals). Meanwhile, the upcoming FBI spinoff CIA is wisely scheduled in the Monday 10 p.m. ET slot following its parent series.
In short, CBS once again enters the new season with a tightly packed schedule and few open time slots, keeping its lineup largely intact while introducing a handful of promising newcomers.