Ahead of the upcoming TCA press tour, CBS has given renewals to three freshman series – Dick Wolf’s FBI; Monday comedy The Neighborhood; and Magnum P.I., which just aired following the AFC Championship game.
“Each of these distinctive shows has made their mark in a variety of ways,” said Kelly Kahl, President, CBS Entertainment. “Our goals this season were to introduce new series that audiences are passionate about, add more strength to a winning schedule and create more inclusive programming.”
Added Thom Sherman, Senior Executive Vice President of Programming, “We’re thrilled by the creative direction and performance of these three shows as they continue to grow in popularity and resonate with the Network’s viewers.”
FBI has asserted itself as CBS’s number one new show this season, averaging 13 million viewers and showing solid retention from its NCIS lead-in. The Neighborhood managed to exceed expectations by self-starting in a tough Monday slot and putting together a weekly audience of 8 million viewers. Though soft in Live + Same Day ratings, Magnum has improved the time period for CBS by 32% and represents a key component of their ongoing relationship with executive producer Peter Lenkov (Hawaii Five-0, MacGyver).
The list of renewals doesn’t include fellow fall freshmen God Friended Me and Happy Together. The former is said to look good for renewal, with CBS and series producer Warner Bros. currently locked in negotiations for a second season, while the latter is unlikely after failing to receive a back order. It’s also as yet unclear how many episodes each of FBI, The Neighborhood, and Magnum will receive next year, as Magnum nabbed only 20 episodes this season instead of the typical 22 that procedurals who receive back orders get.
FBI, The Neighborhood, and Magnum P.I. join Criminal Minds as the only scripted series that CBS has renewed for 2019-20 so far.
