FACT: The average age of a CBS viewer if 55 years old, and that even takes into account the younger age of “Big Bang Theory” and “2 Broke Girls” viewers, so if you take those two sitcoms out of the equation, the average age of a CBS viewer is probably pushing 60. You know why CBS does so well in the Nielsen ratings? Because 60 year olds watch television in the traditional ways that are measured by Nielsen. In a way, CBS is gaming the system, developing shows not for a smart, affluent, and technologically capable audience, but to an audience that can be measured. When the metrics change — and they eventually will — I think the same schedule on CBS will make them a fourth place network instead of a first place network in overall viewers. CBS is the print media of television, and soon their entire audience will die out or switch to the Internet.
The new schedule is out. There’s a little movement, and very little change on their fall slate. The ONLY show that has any buzz behind it is “Elementary,” the Sherlock Holmes’ series that has Lucy Liu playing Watson to Jonny Lee Miller’s Sherlock. And ALL that buzz is negative because PBS’s “Sherlock Holmes” is the only modern update we need. CBS also moved its highly-rated “Two and Half Men” to Thursdays, pairing it with its highly-rated “Big Bang Theory,” in order to get a stranglehold on that hour. Meanwhile, “The Mentalist” moves to Sunday nights to make room for “Elementary” at 10 EST on Thursdays. That’s THE big move up CBS’s sleeve. They know, of course, that their doddering viewership can’t keep up with too many moves, so they play it safe, predictable, boring.
Here’s their tedious little schedule. Enjoy, Old America.
MONDAY
8:00-8:30 PM HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
8:30-9:00 PM PARTNERS
9:00-9:30 PM 2 BROKE GIRLS
9:30-10:00 PM MIKE & MOLLY
10:00-11:00 PM HAWAII FIVE-0
TUESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM NCIS
9:00-10:00 PM NCIS: LOS ANGELES
10:00-11:00 PM VEGAS
WEDNESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM SURVIVOR
9:00-10:00 PM CRIMINAL MINDS
10:00-11:00 PM CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION
THURSDAY
8:00-8:30 PM THE BIG BANG THEORY
8:30-9:00 PM TWO AND A HALF MEN
9:00-10:00 PM PERSON OF INTEREST
10:00-11:00 PM ELEMENTARY
FRIDAY
8:00-9:00 PM CSI: NY
9:00-10:00 PM MADE IN JERSEY
10:00-11:00 PM BLUE BLOODS
SATURDAY
8:00-9:00 PM CRIMETIME SATURDAY
9:00-10:00 PM CRIMETIME SATURDAY
10:00-11:00 PM 48 HOURS MYSTERY
SUNDAY
7:00-8:00 PM 60 MINUTES
8:00-9:00 PM THE AMAZING RACE
9:00-10:00 PM THE GOOD WIFE
10:00-11:00 PM THE MENTALIST
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So… “Vegas” was a series with Robert Urich as a detective in the ’70s. “Las Vegas” was a series with James Caan that went off the air a few years ago. What the heck is the “Vegas” on the schedule here?
Actually, it looks slightly interesting due to the casting of Michael Chiklis and Dennis Quaid. It’s set in the ’60s, and the pilot was written by the guys who did GoodFellas, so …. eh, it’s on CBS so it’ll probably suck.
Oh, great, another network attempt to copy Mad Men. Those always go well.
Nah, this seems pretty different — based on the true story of a former rodeo cowboy (Quaid) who became sheriff of Las Vegas for a while. Looks like Cowboys & Wiseguys.
Sexually ambiguous Sherlock > a female Watson
There’s already a modern version of Sherlock Holmes in the American market thanks to PBS (and BBC), why would they feel there’s a need for another one? Old people would love the BBC version anyways.
Not to mention both House and Law and Order: Criminal Intent used the basic premise already.
its BBC’s “Sherlock” not PBS’s “Sherlock Holmes”
PBS airs the BBC program “Sherlock”
It’s co-produced by PBS.
My cable doesn’t even carry PBS. I was stunned! I thought those channels were always there, amid the ones I ignore. Nope.
On network TV it turns out I watch or plan to watch 6 Shows.
On cable TV… 4 Times as many regularly scheduled shows.
Moral: Kill yourselves, networks. Okay, that’s not so much a moral as a suggestion.
Seriously, isn’t CBS going to be in huge trouble when its audience all dies? Unless the next round of old people develops equally crappy taste in their old age. That’s a depressing thought.
CBS has always been “Old town”. Murder She Wrote, 60 Minutes, et al. Then they developed CSI and a few shows to grab a contemporary (read: older than teen but younger than dust) group. And much like the way NBC sank from first to last, they kept repeating whatever they were already airing.
CBS: Contra spem spero.
NBC: Humilitas occidit superbiam.
ABC: Castigat ridendo mores.
FOX: Pecunia, si uti scis, ancilla est; si nescis, domina.
UNI: Sesquipedalia verba.
*drops latin dictionary*
Fox News: “Obama Delenda Est.”
I think you could also go with “O tempora, O mores” for Fox News.
So watching tv shows on your computer means your smarter than someone who watches tv shows on their tv while the tv station airs them?
I don’t get the bitterness some people have for success.
I don’t really watch anything on CBS, so I hate to stick up for them like this… but this article is just lazy. While CBS does have a much older skewing audience, a good number of their dramas win in adults 18-49 as well, which is what advertisers care about… Just ask Harry’s Law, which had the most viewers on NBC, but some of the worst 18-49 numbers.
Either stick to funnier satirical posts with more corgi pictures and titty gifs, or actually do your homework and back up your claim with some ratings numbers. Otherwise it just comes off as bitter TV blogger whining… not insightful analysis.
If it weren’t for 60 Minutes I could claim that I don’t watch a single CBS prime-time show. Great, now you’re making me wish for the cancellation of 60 Minutes. Well done, CBS.