Buyer Database · Buyer / Distributor · Updated
Cbs
CBS is doubling down on "comfort TV," franchise extensions, and straight-to-series orders as it builds out its 2026-2027 primetime slate well ahead of schedule.
Current mandate
CBS is currently in active development mode, with Amy Reisenbach overseeing 12-plus spinoffs and sequels in various stages of development for the 2025-2026 season while simultaneously building the 2026-2027 slate. The network's most recent straight-to-series orders include NCIS: New York (with LL Cool J reprising his role as special agent Sam Hanna), the Silicon Valley-set legal drama Cupertino from executive producers Robert and Michelle King, the comedy-drama Einstein starring Matthew Gray Gubler and Melissa Fumero, and the vampire-themed comedy Eternally Yours from the executive producers behind CBS's version of Ghosts. A recent interest in Kapital Entertainment and distribution rights to Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune signal continued appetite for IP with proven audience bases.
Over the past 12 months, CBS has logged 319 tracked activity records and 4 unique deals in the past 90 days, with 190 decision makers tracked across the organization. The network's acquisition pattern favors procedurals, franchise spinoffs, and IP extensions over original spec material. The straight-to-series model has largely replaced the traditional pilot, compressing the development timeline and raising the bar for projects that reach the order stage. Brand-anchored franchises such as NCIS, Survivor, and 60 Minutes remain the strategic spine, with new series expected to complement rather than disrupt that identity.
Access to CBS development runs primarily through established production relationships and represented material. The network's recent interest in Kapital Entertainment and its existing ties to Sony Pictures TV (currently the subject of a licensing dispute) illustrate that CBS operates within a dense web of studio partnerships. Writers and producers seeking entry are best positioned through representation familiar with CBS's current comfort-TV mandate and its preference for procedural or franchise-adjacent concepts.
Signature peaks
- 319 Activity Records (12mo) — Total tracked signals across CBS development and acquisitions
- 190 Decision Makers Tracked — Executives and buyers monitored across the CBS organization
- 4 Deals Closed (90d) — Unique recent deals including straight-to-series orders for 2026-2027
Mandate dimensions
- Genre focus
- procedural drama, comedy, crime, legal, medical, reality
- Territory focus
- Not disclosed
- Budget tier (observed)
- Not disclosed
- Access pattern
- CBS development is accessed primarily through represented material and established production company relationships. The network's straight-to-series model means the traditional pilot submission window is largely closed; projects need to arrive with a producing partner or executive producer with a CBS track record already attached. Amy Reisenbach leads development oversight. The network's recent interest in Kapital Entertainment and its dense studio partnership web (including Sony Pictures TV) suggest that production company affiliations are a meaningful factor in gaining access.
- Deal structure
- CBS orders series straight-to-series rather than through a traditional pilot process, compressing the development cycle. Financial terms on recent orders, including NCIS: New York, Cupertino, Einstein, and Eternally Yours, were not publicly disclosed. The network acquires both scripted series and distribution rights (as with Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune) and has taken equity-style interests in production companies (Kapital Entertainment). Franchise extensions and spinoffs are a structural priority, meaning deal terms are often negotiated within existing franchise licensing frameworks.
Recent acquisitions
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an interest in Kapital Entertainment
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Blue Bloods (Season 14 renewal)
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Cupertino
Cupertino, a Silicon Valley-set legal drama from executive producers Robert and Michelle King
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distribution rights to Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune
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DMV
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Einstein
Einstein, about the brilliant but directionless great-grandson of Albert Einstein, starring Matthew Gray Gubler and Melissa Fumero
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Eternally Yours
vampire-themed comedy Eternally Yours, from the executive producers behind CBS's version of Ghosts
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interest in Kapital Entertainment
Market context
"We started to toy around with this a little bit last year, but really embrace the idea of 'comfort TV.'"
CBS is currently in active development mode, with Amy Reisenbach overseeing 12-plus spinoffs and sequels in various stages of development for the 2025-2026 season while simultaneously building the 2026-2027 slate. The network's most recent straight-to-series orders include NCIS: New York (with LL Cool J reprising his role as special agent Sam Hanna), the Silicon Valley-set legal drama Cupertino from executive producers Robert and Michelle King, the comedy-drama Einstein starring Matthew Gray Gubler and Melissa Fumero, and the vampire-themed comedy Eternally Yours from the executive producers behind CBS's version of Ghosts. A recent interest in Kapital Entertainment and distribution rights to Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune signal continued appetite for IP with proven audience bases.
Common questions about Cbs
Does CBS accept unsolicited scripts?
CBS does not have a publicized open-door policy for unsolicited material. The network operates through established studio and production company relationships, and its recent straight-to-series model means projects are typically developed with known producers or IP holders already attached. Writers without representation or an existing CBS relationship are unlikely to get traction through cold submission. The safest route is securing literary representation familiar with CBS's current comfort-TV mandate before approaching the network.
What budgets does CBS typically work with for new series?
No specific per-episode budget figures have been disclosed publicly for CBS's current slate. The network's preference for franchise extensions and proven IP suggests it is investing at the higher end of broadcast drama budgets, consistent with long-running procedurals like NCIS. New series such as Boston Blue, Sheriff Country, DMV, and The Road were ordered for the fall 2025 season, but financial terms were not disclosed in available coverage. Budget expectations should be discussed directly with CBS development or through a producing partner.
Does CBS use film festivals to discover new projects?
CBS's acquisition pattern does not prominently feature festival-circuit discovery. The network's recent orders, including NCIS: New York, Cupertino, Einstein, and Eternally Yours, all trace to established executive producers or recognizable IP rather than festival breakouts. CBS's comfort-TV strategy and franchise-first mandate further reduce the likelihood that a festival premiere would serve as a primary entry point. That said, the network's interest in Kapital Entertainment suggests it does monitor the broader production landscape for strategic relationships.
How do you reach CBS development executives?
CBS has 190 decision makers tracked across its organization, according to recent data. Amy Reisenbach is the key executive overseeing the development slate, including 12-plus spinoffs and sequels for 2025-2026. Contact is most reliably made through literary agents or producing partners with existing CBS relationships. The network's shift to straight-to-series orders means development conversations happen earlier and more selectively, so a warm introduction through a recognized production company or studio partner carries significant weight.
What genres is CBS prioritizing right now?
CBS is currently focused on procedural dramas, franchise spinoffs, and IP extensions, alongside broad-audience comedy. The 2025 fall slate includes dramas Boston Blue and Sheriff Country, comedy DMV, and music competition The Road. Straight-to-series orders for 2026-2027 include a legal drama (Cupertino), a comedy-drama (Einstein), a vampire-themed comedy (Eternally Yours), and a franchise extension (NCIS: New York). The network's stated 'comfort TV' theme signals a preference for familiar, accessible formats over experimental or prestige-niche concepts.
Is CBS actively acquiring new projects right now?
Yes. CBS logged 4 unique deals in the past 90 days and 319 tracked activity records over the past 12 months, with the latest signal recorded in June 2026. The network is actively building its 2026-2027 season well in advance, using straight-to-series orders rather than the traditional pilot model. Recent orders for Cupertino, Einstein, Eternally Yours, and NCIS: New York confirm ongoing acquisition activity. CBS also recently acquired an interest in Kapital Entertainment and distribution rights to Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune, indicating activity beyond scripted series development.
Adjacent buyers in this lane
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- Fox Entertainment — Fox Entertainment is running a deliberate, low-volume acquisition strategy built around creator-led,
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