CBS Attempts To Solidify Mid-Season Slate With Changes To Key Night

CBS Corporation CBS's chase to re-claim its spot as the overall 18-49 demographic leader took a interesting turn Friday with the network’s latest scheduling move.

Last year in announcing the network’s winter schedule, one series was notably absent; rookie dramaedy “Rush Hour.” Based on the popular film franchise, the TV adaptation was picked up to series last May but held for midseason along with “Criminal Minds” spin-off “Beyond Borders.” At the time only “Borders” had a home entering the New Year.

CBS remedied the situation by revealing “Rush Hour” would get its network’s prized Thursday’s at 10pm slot following its 2-hour comedy block. As a result the previous inhabitant “Elementary” will shift to Sundays. “Elementary” has held that slot since its 2012 debut but rarely been able to put up overly exciting numbers.

Even with lower ratings CBS has stood steadfast in supporting the Sherlock Holmes inspired drama that comes from its own production studio. Many had guessed “Rush Hour” would have been the series shuffled off to Sundays where CBS had slotted a number of late-premiering rookies in recent years…all were cancelled not long after.

The network’s decision to make a change to its usual strategy caught analysts off guard but is being seen as a shrewd move. Over this season CBS has launched five new series, but none have hit the same level of success as the network is accustomed to in past years. “Rush Hour” will likely not be a critical hit, so CBS is looking to give it additional exposure on its key night.

Meanwhile the future is less murky for “CSI: Cyber” which will be the odd show out in the equation. “Cyber,” despite the “CSI” pedigree has had a hard time finding a audience despite its well-known cast. CBS cancelled its original “CSI” franchise in 2015 following shuttering spin-offs “CSI:NY” in 2013 and “CSI: Miami” in 2012.