CBS on Wednesday released its 2023-2024 primetime schedule, which sees most of the network’s lineup staying intact, except for expanded editions of “Survivor” and “The Amazing Race” on Wednesdays, new dramas “Elsbeth” and “Matlock,” and moving “CSI: Vegas” to Sundays.
Reprising her role as Elsbeth Tascioni from “The Good Wife” and “The Good Fight,” Carrie Preston takes her intriguing character from Chicago to New York City when the astute but unconventional attorney utilizes her singular point of view to make unique observations and corner brilliant criminals alongside the NYPD. After leaving her successful legal career in Chicago to tackle a new investigative role in New York City, Elsbeth finds herself jockeying with the toast of the NYPD, Captain C.W. Wagner (Wendell Pierce). Working alongside Elsbeth is Officer Kaya Blanke (Carra Patterson), a stoic and ethical officer who quickly develops an appreciation for Elsbeth’s insightful and offbeat ways. The new series takes over the Thursday at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT slot.
Photo by Elizabeth Fisher/CBS
Kathy Bates returns to broadcast TV as the star of “Matlock,” which is technically not a reboot of the original series of the same name. In this iteration, Bates stars as Madeline “Matty” Matlock, a brilliant septuagenarian who achieved success in her younger years and decides to rejoin the workforce at a prestigious law firm where she uses her unassuming demeanor and wily tactics to win cases. Matty is assigned to Olympia (Skye P. Marshall), a senior attorney and key rainmaker thirsty for justice. Olympia’s ex-husband, Julian (Jason Ritter), the son of the head of the firm, is intrigued by Matty and her clever skills. As Matty endeavors to establish herself in her new high-stakes world, she works alongside the firm’s younger associates – the charismatic Billy (David Del Rio) and the uber-ambitious Sarah (Leah Lewis). This “Matlock” s inspired by the classic television series of the same name and even references the TV original occasionally. The show takes over the Sunday at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT slot.
Outside of the two new dramas, the network will launch the midseason drama “Tracker” starring Justin Hartley (“The Young and the Restless,” “Passions”) after Super Bowl LVIII in February and the comedy “Poppa’s House” starring Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr. In “Tracker,” Hartley plays lone-wolf survivalist Colter Shaw, who roams the country as a “reward seeker,” using his expert tracking skills to help private citizens and law enforcement solve all manner of mysteries while contending with his own fractured family. “Poppa’s House” sees Damon Wayans as a legendary talk radio host and happily divorced “Poppa” who has his point of view challenged at work when a new female co-host (Essence Atkins) is hired and at home where he finds himself still parenting his adult son (Damon Wayans Jr.), a brilliant dreamer who is trying to pursue his passion while being a responsible father and husband.
Additionally, the new schedule sees the return of the #1 new broadcast series “Fire Country,” the #1 comedy “Young Sheldon,” the #1 broadcast drama “NCIS” and the #1 news program “60 Minutes.”
“CBS programming across entertainment, news and sports continues to appeal to audiences on all platforms, including Paramount+, the fastest-growing streaming service in the U.S.,” said George Cheeks, president and chief executive officer of CBS. “It all starts with a winning broadcast Network that has an undeniable track record for nurturing long-running franchises and launching new hits every year. The new shows and schedule set to launch next year, combined with the Super Bowl, NCAA Tournament, the GRAMMY Awards and other Network events will make America’s top-rated Network an even bigger force next year.”
“Along with our outstanding team at the Network, I am incredibly excited to introduce four new series with big-name talent portraying distinct, bold, engaging characters,” said Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment. “These new shows from marquee auspices capture everything our viewers love about a CBS series – unique personalities, suspenseful drama, intrigue, high stakes, and relatable laugh-out-loud comedy with heart and humor. The new additions to our lineup are a stellar complement to our winning slate of returning series and we are confident they will resonate with our viewers on broadcast and streaming platforms.”
Next season CBS will be the broadcast home of the prestigious Tony Awards, the GRAMMY Awards, the CMT Music Awards and the Kennedy Center Honors, among other high-profile events as part of a year-round schedule featuring original programming.
What follows is a breakdown of CBS’ 2023-2024 primetime schedule.
