CBS Shedding More Light On Programming Plans As Tough Decisions Loom

For a network like CBS Corporation Class B CBS that continuously finishes with the most viewers of any network, its executive team has to frequently make hard decisions about its programming.

On Tuesday CBS sent new entertainment head Glenn Geller to meet the press at the annual winter edition of the Television Critics Association meetings and address their burning questions about the network’s popular shows. The results will not only interest the media but CBS’ viewers and investors.

Among the topics discussed was the lifespan of many CBS series including mainstays like ‘Mike & Molly,” “Person of Interest” and ‘The Good Wife.”  Given that CBS traditionally debuts between three and five new shows every fall, something has to be bumped off the schedule to make room.

Most of interest was the future of “Person Of Interest,” which despite its pedigree remains without a home on the schedule. Geller promised the 13 episode fifth season will air this year and urged the media not to take its prolonged absence as a sign of impending cancellation. The same can’t be said for fellow veteran “Mike & Molly,” which was officially cancelled after months of speculation.

In addition, Robert King and Michelle King, the talented creators of “The Good Wife,” have confirmed that even if the show returns for season eight, they won’t be. The news was unexpected as the Kings are so closely tied to the fabric of the Emmy winning series.

However the husband-and-wife team aren’t leaving the CBS family as they have alien drama “BrianDead” currently in production which will air this summer. They also made it  a point to say they’d likely remain with “Wife” in some capacity even if not as the day-to-day leads.

For now the fate of “POI,” “Good Wife” and most of the network’s shows are still very up  in the air as CBS still has some time to make those tough calls. Executives will need to  see how new rookie series “Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders” and “Rush Hour” do when  they premiere in March and then weigh that against its new pilots.