Could the NCIS shows have reduced episode counts?
Will CBS want to shorten the NCIS seasons to finish at the usual time?
While some networks have hinted that the coronavirus could help bring an end to the traditional pilot season, it looks like most know that it won’t bring an end to the usual fall TV season. CBS is trying to start the fall season strong with the usual NCIS line-up.
There’s still going to be a delay. With the two LA-filming shows not starting until the beginning of September, the premiere dates won’t be the last week of September as normal. This could mean a usual season of 24 episodes could go on longer than the usual May ending.
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Will CBS want that to happen? Could the NCIS shows (and other TV crime dramas on the network) be cut shorter than normal? After the shortened 2019-2020 season, it would be surprising if CBS wanted to shorten the season. The NCIS shows are among the most popular on the network. In fact, the entire TV crime drama lineup has some of the most popular shows on all broadcast networks.
Could CBS shorten the breaks between episodes instead
Most broadcast networks now have breaks at Christmas and then around March or April. Part of this is to ensure there are episodes to air in May but another part is to ensure episodes have time to be filmed and go through post-production.
CBS could cut down some of the breaks between episodes, some of those mini-hiatuses. While that would allow a full season to fit into the normal time in the calendar, it has the problem of time for filming. Filming is already delayed, which will mean the need for shorter filming breaks just to stay on track in a normal season. That won’t help with 24 episodes fitting in a shorter space of time.
Instead, CBS would need to be happy to push the finales into late May or even into June. This wouldn’t need to cause problems for filming the next seasons, as they could return in July 2021 and then get back to normal. They just have a shorter break between seasons to make up for this longer break.
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Another shorter season could be the way to go
If CBS wants to stick to the traditional seasons, shorter NCIS seasons may be the only way to go. Just cutting four episodes could save two months of filming and save a month of episodes airing. This could help to ensure a May 2021 finale for all three shows.
It just still brings the problem of a shorter season order after a year of problems due to something out of everyone’s control. It also doesn’t factor in a potential second shutdown if there is a second wave.
The best thing for CBS could be to keep the standard season order and run into the summer if necessary. Is it time to get rid of the traditional fall broadcast?
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What do you think CBS should do for the NCIS shows? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
The NCIS shows are set to air in the fall schedule on CBS.