The network, which saw its audience decline by 8% this season, has overhauled much of its prime time lineup.
Only two shows introduced this season -- comedies "Mom" and "The Millers" -- will make it to a sophomore year. Programs that got the hook include the
Also not on the network's new schedule is the long-running drama
Despite the declining ratings and increased competition from an improved
"This is really a great time to be in the television business," said Moonves. Noting that Amazon,
"Welcome to the game," he said.
CBS' big bet is Thursday night football. The network shelled out about $275 million for a one-year deal to broadcast eight games in September and October. The move should boost CBS' audience and give it a strong platform to promote other nights.
"Rolling thunder" is how CBS scheduling chief Kelly Kahl described the strategy of acquiring football.
Because of football, the hit sitcom
CBS said it will debut five new dramas this fall including "Madame Secretary" starring Tea Leoni as U.S. secretary of State. That show has been scheduled for Sundays at 8 p.m. as a lead-in to the critical darling
Other new dramas include the breezy "Scorpion," about tech nerds who work at the
"Scorpion" is scheduled for Mondays at 9 p.m. and "Stalker" has been slotted for Wednesday at 10 p.m.
The network's other two new dramas are spinoffs of existing series. On Tuesday at 9 p.m., CBS will debut "
The only new comedy CBS is trying for the fall is "The McCarthys," about a close-knit Irish Catholic family in Boston. Later in the season it will debut a remake of
CBS also said next season would be the last for
Not on the fall schedule was a highly anticipated spinoff of the sitcom "How I Met Your Mother." CBS said it was not happy with the pilot and the studio --