CBS today announced its 2024-2025 primetime programming lineup of CBS Originals, featuring three new dramas, two new comedies, a new alternative series, a reimagined classic game show, special event programming and 18 returning series.
New drama series for fall include NCIS: Origins, starring Austin Stowell as a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs and narrated by flagship NCIS series star Mark Harmon; and Matlock, a reimagining of the classic television series, starring Emmy and Academy Award winner Kathy Bates as a brilliant, wily lawyer with unusual and unexpected tactics. Midseason will introduce Watson, starring Morris Chestnut as a modern version of one of history’s greatest detectives solving medical mysteries.
The new multi-camera comedies for fall are Poppa’s House, starring Damon Wayans as happily divorced “Poppa” who finds himself still parenting his adult son, Damon Wayans Jr; and Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, the sequel to YOUNG SHELDON, following Georgie (Montana Jordan) and Mandy (Emily Osment) as they raise their young family in Texas while navigating the challenges of adulthood, parenting and marriage.
The new fall alternative series is The Summit, hosted by Manu Bennett, which follows 16 strangers embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime journey through the treacherous New Zealand Alps in an attempt to reach the peak of a distant, towering mountain and win $1 million. Midseason will launch a new edition of the legendary game show Hollywood Squares, starring Drew Barrymore as the center square, in which two contestants play tic-tac-toe to win money and prizes.
The new schedule of CBS Original series also includes the return of the new #1 series on television, Tracker, starring Justin Hartley; the 2023-2024 season’s #2 new program, Elsbeth, starring Carrie Preston; the world’s #1 TV franchise, NCIS; and #1 news program 60 Minutes.
“This is another CBS primetime schedule that will break through the clutter and entertain a mass audience,” said Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment. “We’re grateful to the creative talent who deliver the characters and stories, as well as the viewers who spend nights, seasons and years with them.”
In addition to CBS’ new and returning top series, the Network’s year-round schedule of original programming also features annual high-profile events, including the return of the GRAMMY Awards, the Golden Globe Awards, the Tony Awards, the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors, New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash and the recently announced American Music Awards.
CBS Sports’ portfolio of marquee properties and championships will feature the NFL, with a schedule highlighted by TV’s most-watched window at 4:25 PM, ET on Sundays, as well as Wild Card and Divisional Playoff games plus the AFC Championship in January, NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament – including the Final Four and National Championship– in March, the Masters Tournament in April, the PGA Championship in May and the UEFA Champions League Final in June. A full season of Big Ten Football comes to CBS this fall at 3:30 PM, ET on Saturdays. CBS will broadcast the Big Ten Football Championship for the first time in December and will also air the NWSL Championship game in primetime in November.
Fast forwarding one year into the future, the Network also ordered its first new series for the 2025-26 broadcasting season – the drama series Sheriff Country, starring Morena Baccarin, an extension of the Fire Country universe.
Wednesday night returns in fall and spring with two 90-minute high-stakes competition series, and in mid-winter a special all game show-themed night. In fall, the groundbreaking reality series Survivor kicks off the night at 8:00 PM, serving as a compatible lead-in for the new reality series The Summit at 9:30 PM. The annual midseason winter break between the spring edition of Survivor and the return of The Amazing Race at 9:30 PM will be eventized with three game shows. A special primetime The Price is Right at Night, hosted by Drew Carey, kicks off the festivities at 8:00 PM followed by the return of Raid the Cage, hosted by Damon Wayans, Jr. and co-host Jeannie Mai, at 9:00 PM, leading into a new edition of the Hollywood Squares, starring Drew Barrymore as the center square, at 10:00 PM.
The Summit, hosted by Manu Bennett, follows 16 strangers embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime journey through the treacherous New Zealand Alps in an attempt to reach the peak of a distant, towering mountain. With their backpacks containing an equal share of $1 million, the group must traverse an exhausting distance in just 14 days in order to win the cash they are carrying. But not everyone will make it, as these strangers must work together to tackle the dangerous terrain, unforgiving Antarctic winds, heart-pounding challenges and gut-wrenching eliminations on their way to the peak. Tracking them along this journey is the “Mountain’s Keeper” who will surprise the trekkers with brutal twists and force decisions that complicate an already grueling ascent. Morals and relationships will be tested when they must decide what to do if someone falls behind – because if the group fails to reach The Summit in time, all the prize money will be lost.
The Summit is produced by Endemol Shine North America. Kevin Lee, Tina Nicotera and Endemol Shine North America’s Sharon Levy and Michael Heyerman are executive producers. The series is based on a format by Endemol Shine Australia and Nine.
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