CBS Pairs ‘Survivor,’ ‘CSI’ on Thursdays

Seeking to capitalize on heightened Thursday-night viewing for “Survivor: The Australian Outback,” CBS will move its highest-rated new series, “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” to follow the so-called “reality” show beginning in February--at the same time confirming plans for a third edition of “Survivor” in the fall.

During a Tuesday press conference with TV reporters and columnists in Pasadena, CBS officials also said they have reached an agreement with “Survivor” producer Mark Burnett on a fourth installment of the program for broadcast at an undetermined date. CBS Television President Leslie Moonves indicated the network had in essence cemented a “perpetual deal” with Burnett for future editions of the adventure competition, which became a cultural phenomenon over the summer.

The second “Survivor” will premiere after the Super Bowl on Jan. 28 before moving to Thursdays opposite NBC’s “Friends,” followed by “CSI” and the newsmagazine “48 Hours.” The long-running “Diagnosis Murder,” which is in its final season, will shift to Fridays at 8 p.m.--against ABC’s “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire”--with “The Fugitive,” thus far a ratings disappointment, taking over “CSI’s” 9 p.m. slot.

While much of the focus has been on how CBS’ scheduling of “Survivor” will impact NBC, Moonves maintained the economic benefits of boosting tune-in Thursday at the risk of hurting Friday--the night when TV viewing levels are at their lowest--dictated the “CSI” switch. The question, he said, was how to best utilize “Survivor” to help bolster another series.

Moonves expressed no concerns regarding the influx of similarly formatted “reality” shows in advance of the new “Survivor,” pointing out that the wave of quiz shows early last year--including the network’s own entry, “Winning Lines”--did little to diminish ABC’s “Millionaire.”

The executive also reiterated that there is “a good chance” CBS will launch a second version of its other summer “reality” concept, “Big Brother,” this summer as an alternative to reruns. Despite negative critical reaction to the show and modest ratings, Moonves said, “We feel like if we can fix the product there’s great potential for that to work.”

Because the house where contestants were isolated was left standing, CBS noted that a new version could be mounted with relative ease. Possible changes in “Big Brother,” Moonves added, include better casting of contestants, greater network involvement in the production--as opposed to leaving primary authority in the hands of the show’s Dutch originator, Endemol Entertainment--and broadcasting fewer episodes. The original “Big Brother” was televised six nights a week.

Such unscripted programs represent a hedge against possible strikes this summer by the guilds representing writers and actors, and Moonves noted that the combination of “reality” shows, newsmagazines and the possible addition of a third movie night left CBS reasonably well-prepared should the strikes occur. That said, he indicated the network wasn’t asking producers to turn out extra episodes of scripted series--a request some studios have made that the Writers Guild of America’s leadership has urged writers to resist, fearing it will undermine their bargaining position.

Although CBS’ registered ratings gains over the summer--including a surge among young adults who don’t normally watch the network, which has the oldest audience profile among the major broadcasters--much of that viewership was quickly lost once the glow from “Survivor” faded.

Given the perceived importance of the new “Survivor” to CBS’ ratings, then, the network is hoping for a competitive Super Bowl to keep viewers perched in their seats through the game. “If it’s a blowout we may eliminate the fourth quarter and go right into ‘Survivor,’ ” Moonves quipped.