Buyer Database · Buyer / Distributor · Updated

Cbs

CBS is the dominant broadcast network primetime buyer, doubling down on "comfort TV" franchises and broad-appeal procedurals while expanding its fall slate with four new series.

Current mandate

CBS enters its current development cycle with a clear strategic thesis: "comfort TV" as a deliberate counterweight to the fragmented, data-driven streaming landscape. Network leadership has publicly articulated that viewers feel overwhelmed by algorithmic programming, and CBS is positioning its primetime block as a reliable, appointment-viewing alternative. The network is anchoring its brand around long-running franchises including the NCIS universe, Survivor, and 60 Minutes, while simultaneously launching four new series this fall. Drama development is led by Bryan Seabury; comedy development is led by Kate Adler.

Across the recent acquisition window, CBS has ordered a mix of procedural dramas and character-driven comedies that reflect its franchise-first mandate. New scripted orders include "Cupertino," a Silicon Valley-set legal drama from executive producers Robert and Michelle King; "NCIS: New York," which extends the flagship NCIS franchise with LL Cool J reprising his role as special agent Sam Hanna; "Einstein," a comedy-drama starring Matthew Gray Gubler and Melissa Fumero about the great-grandson of Albert Einstein; and "Eternally Yours," a vampire-themed comedy from the executive producers behind CBS's version of Ghosts. The network has also acquired distribution rights to "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune," and has taken an interest in Kapital Entertainment. Returning series "Blue Bloods" received a Season 14 renewal, and "Matlock" and "Elsbeth" remain active on the schedule.

Material reaches CBS primarily through established creative teams, packaging by major talent agencies, and relationships with studio production partners such as Sony Pictures TV. The network's seeking statement explicitly prioritizes A-list talent attachment and returnable franchise potential, and tracked deals consistently involve named executive producers with prior broadcast credits. No unsolicited pathway is documented; every tracked deal in the ScriptMatch dataset came through packaged or studio-affiliated routes. Writers seeking CBS consideration are best positioned through representation and producer attachments with existing network relationships.

Signature peaks

  • NCIS: New York Franchise Expansion Order — LL Cool J reprises his role as special agent Sam Hanna in the latest NCIS universe extension.
  • Cupertino King Producers Legal Drama — Silicon Valley-set legal drama ordered from executive producers Robert and Michelle King.
  • Jeopardy! + Wheel of Fortune Game Show Rights Acquired — CBS acquired distribution rights to two of television's most enduring game show franchises.

Mandate dimensions

Genre focus
crime drama, procedural
Territory focus
Not disclosed
Budget tier (observed)
Not disclosed
Access pattern
Tracked deals consistently arrive through studio production partners, major talent packaging, and established showrunner relationships; the network's seeking statement explicitly requires A-list talent attachment and established creative teams. No unsolicited pathway is documented in ScriptMatch's deal tracking data.
Deal structure
CBS primarily orders series directly from studio-affiliated production companies and packaged creative teams, acquiring broadcast rights as part of its primetime network licensing model. The network also acquires distribution rights to established properties, as seen with its recent pickup of rights to "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune."

Recent acquisitions

  • an interest in Kapital Entertainment

    more recently · Acquired

  • Blue Bloods (Season 14 renewal)

    March 29, 2023 · Acquired

  • Cupertino

    2026-04-16T00:00:00.000Z · ordered
    Cupertino, a Silicon Valley-set legal drama from executive producers Robert and Michelle King

  • distribution rights to Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune

    2025-01-01T00:00:00.000Z · Acquired

  • DMV

    2025-09-17T00:00:00.000Z · Acquired

  • Einstein

    2026-04-16T00:00:00.000Z · ordered
    Einstein, about the brilliant but directionless great-grandson of Albert Einstein, starring Matthew Gray Gubler and Melissa Fumero

  • Eternally Yours

    2026-04-16T00:00:00.000Z · ordered
    vampire-themed comedy Eternally Yours, from the executive producers behind CBS's version of Ghosts

  • interest in Kapital Entertainment

    more recently · Acquired

Market context

CBS is leaning hard into "comfort TV" as a strategic brand identity, betting that familiar, returnable franchises are the antidote to algorithm-driven viewer fatigue.

CBS enters its current development cycle with a clear strategic thesis: "comfort TV" as a deliberate counterweight to the fragmented, data-driven streaming landscape. Network leadership has publicly articulated that viewers feel overwhelmed by algorithmic programming, and CBS is positioning its primetime block as a reliable, appointment-viewing alternative. The network is anchoring its brand around long-running franchises including the NCIS universe, Survivor, and 60 Minutes, while simultaneously launching four new series this fall. Drama development is led by Bryan Seabury; comedy development is led by Kate Adler.

Common questions about Cbs

Does CBS accept unsolicited scripts?

No unsolicited pathway to CBS is documented in ScriptMatch's tracking data. Every deal observed in the dataset came through packaged submissions involving established creative teams, studio production partners, or talent agencies. CBS's own seeking statement emphasizes A-list talent attachment and established creative teams, which strongly suggests that representation and producer attachments are the practical prerequisites for getting material in front of the network's development executives.

What budgets does CBS typically work at?

As a major broadcast network, CBS operates at primetime broadcast budget levels, which are generally among the highest in scripted television. No specific per-episode budget figures are disclosed in available deal records. The network's focus on returnable franchise procedurals and broad-appeal comedies, combined with its relationships with major studio partners like Sony Pictures TV, indicates a preference for projects that can sustain multi-season production at full network scale.

What festivals does CBS source from?

CBS does not source scripted series from film festivals in the traditional sense. As a broadcast network, its development pipeline runs through studio partnerships, talent packaging, and direct pitches from established showrunners and executive producers. The network does use major cultural events, including the Emmys and VMAs, as marketing platforms for its existing slate, but these are promotional activations rather than acquisition venues.

How do I get my script in front of CBS?

Based on tracked deal patterns, the most reliable route to CBS is through representation paired with a producer or showrunner attachment who has prior broadcast credits. CBS's development leadership, drama head Bryan Seabury and comedy head Kate Adler, work primarily with packaged projects. The network's interest in Kapital Entertainment and its ongoing relationship with Sony Pictures TV also suggest that studio-affiliated production companies are a viable pathway for writers with the right attachments.

What genres is CBS currently acquiring?

CBS is actively acquiring procedural dramas and broad-appeal comedies for broadcast primetime. Recent orders include a Silicon Valley legal drama (Cupertino), a franchise procedural extension (NCIS: New York), a character-driven comedy-drama (Einstein), and a vampire-themed comedy (Eternally Yours). The network's stated mandate centers on returnable franchise potential and 'comfort TV,' meaning projects with clear episodic structure, accessible premises, and wide demographic appeal are most competitive.

Is CBS currently active in the market?

Yes. CBS placed multiple scripted series orders in April 2026, including Cupertino, NCIS: New York, Einstein, and Eternally Yours, and its fall 2025 slate launched four new series. ScriptMatch tracks 304 total records for CBS over the past 12 months and 190 decision makers, reflecting a highly active development operation. The network's 'comfort TV' brand push and franchise-expansion strategy signal continued demand for procedural dramas and broad comedies through the current cycle.

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Related reading

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