CBS has once again proven its dominance in the television landscape, securing its 17th consecutive season as the most-watched network among all viewers in primetime. The network’s impressive streak, which began in the 2008-09 season, surpasses its previous record of 16 straight seasons from 1955-70. Despite the challenges posed by the 2023 writers and actors strike, which pushed most scripted programming to early 2024, CBS maintained its lead over its competitors.
The network is currently averaging 5.72 million viewers in primetime, a 2% increase from the previous year. CBS’s success can be attributed to its strong lineup of shows, with eight of the top 10 non-sports programs in total viewership. Justin Hartley’s “Tracker” is set to repeat as the most-watched non-sports series, averaging 10.84 million viewers over seven days.
Cbs’s sustained success
Other top-performing shows include “NCIS,” “Young Sheldon,” “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage,” and “Blue Bloods.”
However, the network also made some surprising cancellations this season, despite the impressive audience sizes of certain shows. “Blue Bloods,” which ranked #5 across all of network television in its final season, was cancelled much to the disappointment of its dedicated fan base.
“FBI: Most Wanted” and “FBI: International” were also cancelled, even though they had solid viewership numbers. Other cancelled CBS shows include Shemar Moore’s show, the freshman comedy “Poppa’s House,” and Manu Bennett’s series. The future of “The Equalizer” remains uncertain.
CBS has been ahead of the crowd this season, handing out renewals and cancellations to all of its shows. The network renewed 12 of its scripted originals, including both long-running favorites and new hits such as “NCIS: Origins.” Other renewed shows include “Elsbeth,” “Fire Country,” “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage,” “NCIS,” “NCIS: Sydney,” “Survivor,” “The Amazing Race,” and “Tracker.”
As the television season comes to a close, fans can look forward to new episodes of their favorite renewed shows and anticipate the arrival of potential new hits in the midseason lineup.
