SHILO: 8:00 NCIS; 9:00 FBI; 10:00 FBI: Most Wanted
CRAIG: 8:00 NCIS; 9:00 FBI; 10:00 FBI: Most Wanted
SHILO: Despite some recasting and a showrunner change, FBI has been a very sturdy success for CBS this season, so much so that it spawned a backdoor spinoff in FBI: Most Wanted. Granted, FBI isn’t a world beater in the 18-49 demo and launching a new drama at 10:00 in 2019 isn’t easy regardless of branding, but this is the move that I think CBS will make. Most Wanted should theoretically be a great retainer from FBI, broad enough to keep the affiliates from missing NCIS: New Orleans too much, and right in the CBS creative wheelhouse. It also helps that Tuesday has been a big franchise night for the network since the 2009-10 season and in the absence of a new NCIS spinoff, keeping the tradition alive with two FBI shows feels right.
CRAIG: When FBI did their “Most Wanted” planted spinoff pilot, it seemed to be well received, so I, too, am putting Most Wanted to come out of its parent show, at least for its first year. After that? TBD.
