or


[10/28/03 - 12:00 AM]
CBS Gives Five Freshman Back Nine Orders
By Brian Ford Sullivan (TFC)

CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) -- While its "Brotherhood" may have failed, CBS is quite high on the rest of its freshman class as the network has gone ahead and given full season 22-episode orders to newcomers "Two and a Half Men," "Navy N.C.I.S.," "Joan of Arcadia," "The Handler" and "Cold Case."

The news marks the best freshman success rate so far this season of the six major networks as only three other new series have received back nine orders ("All of Us" and "Eve" on UPN, "Las Vegas" on NBC). The pickup of "Cold Case" and "Joan" wasn't much a surprise as the Eye network ordered six additional scripts of each on October 17 (read the story). Both of have helped revitalize their respective time periods for CBS, Sundays and Fridays at 8:00/7:00c, routinely winning the hours for the network. As for "Men," the comedy is the most-watched new series overall this season among viewers, households and adults 18-49 not to mention holds an impressive 85% of lead-in "Everybody Loves Raymond's" audience on average.

Less impressive however have been the performances of fellow newcomers "Navy N.C.I.S." and "The Handler." "Navy" is off nearly 20% from its parent series "J.A.G." last season among total viewers (15.2 million vs. 12.3 million) and 13% among CBS' prized demographic of adults 25-54 (4.1/10 vs. 4.7/12) after four airings. Despite such numbers, it's hard to frown upon a new series opening a night with 12.3 million viewers on average.

As for "The Handler," the Joe Pantoliano-led drama has seen its numbers tumble almost 30% from its debut (12.6 million vs. 8.8 million) but has nevertheless remained 23% above last year's Friday, 10:00/9:00c entry "Robbery Homicide Division" (9.9 million vs. 7.6 million) in year-to-year comparisons.

The five back nine orders leave "The Brotherhood of Poland, N.H." as the only failure of CBS' freshman class. The Eye yanked the series indefinitely last week (read the story).





  [october 2003]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
   


· ALL OF US (CW)
· BROTHERHOOD OF POLAND, NH, THE (CBS)
· COLD CASE (CBS)
· EVE (UPN)
· EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND (CBS)
· HANDLER, THE (CBS)
· JAG (CBS)
· JOAN OF ARCADIA (CBS)
· LAS VEGAS (NBC)
· NCIS (CBS)
· ROBBERY HOMICIDE DIVISION (CBS)
· TWO AND A HALF MEN (CBS)





[10/23/25 - 02:33 PM]
Largest Audience for "NBA Tip-Off" Doubleheader Since 2010 as NBA Returned to NBC and Debuted on Peacock
Tuesday night's audience across NBC and Peacock peaked at 7.1 million viewers from 10:45-11 p.m. ET as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder to a one-point win over the Houston Rockets in double overtime.

[10/23/25 - 02:28 PM]
The 305 Just Got Hotter: "Love & Hip Hop: Miami" Moves to BET Season 7 Premieres Tuesday, November 4 at 8 PM ET/PT
The upcoming seventh season dives deeper than ever into Miami's thriving entertainment scene, following a cast of stars who are rebuilding, rebranding, and redefining success in real time.

[10/23/25 - 01:30 PM]
Critically Acclaimed Noir Thriller, "Dark Winds," to Return to AMC and AMC+ Sunday, February 15
The series' gripping fourth season focuses on the search for a missing Navajo girl, which takes Leaphorn, Chee and Manuelito from the safety of Navajo Nation to the gritty terrain of 1970s Los Angeles in a race against the clock to save her from an obsessive killer with ties to organized crime.

[10/23/25 - 12:01 PM]
Video: BET+ Releases Trailer for Horror Film "A Demon's Revenge"
In the film, following the bloodshed in Belize, Peaches, played by Jhoné Lucas, delves deeper into Caribbean folklore and the terrifying truth that lurks beneath.

[10/23/25 - 12:00 PM]
FOX Entertainment Acquires Equity Stake in Chain, Forging Strategic Partnership with Experiential Food Phenomenon Co-Founded by B.J. Novak
Included in the investment is a first look development deal through Chain Media.

[10/23/25 - 11:28 AM]
"High Potential" Rises to Season High as Show Nears Fall Finale
ABC's popular drama rose to a multiplatform season high in Total Viewers (12.50 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.31 rating) after seven days of viewing on ABC, Hulu, Hulu on Disney+ and digital platforms.

[10/23/25 - 11:13 AM]
USA Network Renews "The Rainmaker" for Second Season
Across the first nine premiere episodes of the season, "The Rainmaker" has averaged 1.3 million total viewers.

[10/23/25 - 11:06 AM]
Global Box Office Sensation "Wicked" Arrives Nov. 19 on NBC
The NBC telecast of "Wicked" leads up to the November 21 premiere of "Wicked: For Good," the epic finale to the global cultural phenomenon.

[10/23/25 - 11:01 AM]
Video: Paramount+ Releases Official Trailer for New Documentary "My Nightmare Stalker: The Eva LaRue Story"
The powerful two-part documentary premieres Thursday, November 13, exclusively on Paramount+.

[10/23/25 - 11:00 AM]
What's New on HBO Max This November
New original series include "I Love LA" and "The Seduction"; as well as documentaries "Alex vs ARod," "One to One: John & Yoko," and "Thoughts & Prayers."

[10/23/25 - 10:31 AM]
Definitive Kevin Durant Doc Series Underway for Netflix from OBB Pictures and Boardroom
Production will continue shooting into the current season and for years beyond as he approaches the final chapters of his career.

[10/23/25 - 10:04 AM]
"Merry Little Mystery" - Starring Jordin Sparks & Keon Alexander Streaming on The Roku Channel November 19th
Natasha Maxwell spends the holidays at her grandparent's house in the tiny town of Roundtop, where she grew up.

[10/23/25 - 10:00 AM]
HBO Original Documentary "One to One: John & Yoko" Debuts November 14
A rare and revelatory inside look at John Lennon and Yoko Ono's first year in New York City in the early 1970s, the film delivers an immersive, cinematic experience that brings to life a chapter of explosive creativity and political activism in their lives.

[10/23/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "The Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Holiday" (2025) Official Trailer - The Roku Channel
Celebrity bakers Baron Davis, Cheri Oteri, Oliver Hudson, and Janelle James swap the spotlight for spatulas, as they take on three holiday-themed challenges and vie for the coveted Star Baker crown.

[10/23/25 - 09:01 AM]
Country Music Icon Reba McEntire Set to Take the Stage as Host of "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" Special
The annual two-hour telecast will air live Wednesday, December 3 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and simulcast on Peacock.