CBS kicked off its involvement in the Television Critics Association’s winter press tour in a big way today, announcing that it has renewed freshman dramas Scorpion, Madam Secretary and NCIS: New Orleans for second seasons.
The renewals come as no surprise, seeing as the shows have emerged as the no. 1, 2 and 3-ranked new series among total viewers this season. CBS Entertainment president Nina Tassler said of the trio:
“These freshman dramas have each made a big impact on key nights of the week. Creatively distinctive, the series are backed by strong showrunners with amazingly talented casts and have resonated with a big, broad audience.”
NCIS: New Orleans climbed to that no. 1 spot – hardly surprising given that the spinoff is a member of the juggernaut NCIS family, which CBS has stood behind for years. It is the season’s most watched new series and broadcast TV’s No. 2 dramatic series, with an average haul of 18.1 million viewers.
Madam Secretary, starring Tea Leoni, lacked NCIS: NOLA‘s built-in following but still wowed in the ratings, with an average of 14.9 million total viewers. It is currently Sunday’s most watched, scripted series, and the no. 2 ranked new series.
Finally, Scorpion, which follows a team of geniuses tasked with fighting high-tech threats, clocked in at no. 3, drawing 14.5 million total viewers.
Tassler did not elaborate on the fate of fellow freshman series Stalker, a crime drama that has been critically reviled, though she stated that it is still in contention for a renewal, as is comedy The McCarthys. It’s too early for the network to decide anything about the future of any upcoming series, which include dramas CSI: Cyber and Battle Creek along with comedy The Odd Couple, but we’ll keep you posted when we hear more.
Tell us, do you watch Scorpion, Madam Secretary or NCIS: New Orleans?
