CBS Picks Up Full Seasons of Its Four Freshman Dramas

CBS has given full season orders to all four of its new dramas, including the #1 and #2 new series of the season, NCIS: NEW ORLEANS and SCORPION, Sunday's #1 scripted broadcast, MADAM SECRETARY, and the time period-winning suspense thriller STALKER. These pick-ups include three of the top four new shows launched on television this season, and three series that rank among the top 15 of ALL prime time programs.

The four freshman dramas, along with the Network's returning hit series and NFL THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL, have helped CBS win the first four weeks of the season for the sixth consecutive year, with growth of +5% over the comparable period a year ago.

"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, CBS Entertainment.

NCIS: NEW ORLEANS is the season's #1 new series, averaging 18.16 million viewers, 2.8 in adults 18-49 and 4.1 in adults 25-54, according to Nielsen most current ratings through Oct. 19. NCIS: NEW ORLEANS ranks second only to NCIS among all broadcast dramas, improving the year ago time period by +9% in viewers. In its most recent broadcast (Oct. 21), NCIS: NEW ORLEANS delivered its highest adults 18-49 rating since its series premiere.

SCORPION is the season's #2 new series and Monday's most-watched drama averaging 15.17 million viewers, 3.6 in adults 18-49 and 4.9 in adults 25-54. The high-octane drama has been key to CBS's Monday turnaround, improving the year ago time period by +74% in viewers, +29% in adults 18-49 and +36% in adults 25-54.

MADAM SECRETARY ranks as Sunday's #1 scripted broadcast and #4 new series with 13.53 million viewers, a +45% time period improvement. It averages 1.8 in adults 18-49 and 2.8 in adults 25-54 leading into THE GOOD WIFE, which has posted growth this season in viewers and adults 25-54.

STALKER has won its Wednesday (10:00-11:00 PM) time period in viewers and key demographics every week this season against its regular scripted competition, averaging 9.49 million viewers, 2.1 in adults 18-49 and 3.0 in adults 25-54.

About NCIS: NEW ORLEANS: NCIS: NEW ORLEANS stars Scott Bakula, Lucas Black, Zoe McLellan, CCH Pounder and Rob Kerkovich. Gary Glasberg, Mark Harmon, Jeffrey Lieber and James Hayman are the executive producers for CBS Television Studios.

About SCORPION: SCORPION stars Elyes Gabel, Robert Patrick, Katharine McPhee, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Jadyn Wong and Ari Stidham. Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, Nick Santora, Nicholas Wootton, Justin Lin, Heather Kadin, Scooter Braun and Walter O'Brien are the executive producers for CBS Television Studios.

About MADAM SECRETARY: MADAM SECRETARY stars Tea Leoni, Tim Daly, Bebe Neuwirth, Zeljko Ivanek, Patina Miller, Erich Bergen, Geoffrey Arend, Kathrine Kerzer, Evan Roe and Wallis-Currie Wood. MADAM SECRETARY is a CBS Television Studios production, in association with Revelations Entertainment. Barbara Hall is an executive producer with Revelations Lori McCreary and Morgan Freeman, and David Semel.

About STALKER: STALKER stars Maggie Q, Dylan McDermott, Victor Rasuk, Mariana Klaveno and Elisabeth Rohm. Kevin Williamson is the executive producer for Warner Bros. Television.

To post a comment, you must register and login.