Fall TV Shake-Up: CBS to Broadcast ‘Yellowstone’ and ‘SEAL Team’ Season 5 Amid Hollywood Production Halts

The landscape of television programming for the upcoming fall season has been significantly impacted by the ongoing strikes in Hollywood. With production on numerous anticipated new and returning series stalled, networks are scrambling to fill their schedules with compelling content. In a surprising and potentially game-changing move, CBS has announced that it will broadcast the fifth seasons of the critically acclaimed dramas Yellowstone and SEAL Team this fall. This strategic decision not only provides CBS with established and popular shows to anchor its lineup but also offers a wider audience the opportunity to catch up on these previously streaming-centric hits.

A Strategic Move: CBS Bolsters Fall Lineup with Existing Hits

In the face of widespread production shutdowns due to the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) strikes, ¹ television networks are facing unprecedented challenges in curating their fall schedules. The lack of new episodes for many returning favorites and the inability to launch highly anticipated new series have forced networks to explore alternative programming strategies.  

CBS’s decision to acquire the broadcast rights for the fifth seasons of Yellowstone and SEAL Team is a shrewd move that addresses this content void. Both shows boast significant and dedicated fan bases and have garnered critical acclaim for their compelling storytelling and strong performances. By bringing these established hits to network television, CBS can ensure a robust fall lineup that is likely to attract a substantial viewership, even in the absence of newly produced content.

Yellowstone, a neo-Western drama that airs on Paramount Network, has become a cultural phenomenon, lauded for its gripping portrayal of a powerful Montana ranching family and the conflicts that surround their land. SEAL Team, a military action drama that originally premiered on CBS before moving to Paramount+, has also cultivated a loyal following for its intense depiction of the professional and personal lives of Navy SEALs.

By strategically incorporating these pre-existing, high-quality series into its fall schedule, CBS is demonstrating adaptability and a commitment to providing its audience with engaging programming despite the industry-wide production challenges. This move could also potentially expose these shows to a new segment of viewers who may not have access to or subscriptions for the streaming services where they initially aired.

‘Yellowstone’ Season 5: A Neo-Western Saga Comes to Network TV

Yellowstone, created by Taylor Sheridan, has captivated audiences with its epic storytelling, stunning Montana scenery, and complex characters. The series follows the Dutton family, led by patriarch John Dutton III (Kevin Costner), as they fiercely protect their sprawling ranch from land developers, Native American reservations, and internal family conflicts.

Season 5 of Yellowstone is particularly significant as it was split into two parts. The first part aired in late 2022 and early 2023, leaving fans in suspense with a dramatic mid-season finale. CBS’s broadcast of Season 5 will likely include these initial episodes, offering network television viewers the chance to immerse themselves in the Dutton family’s intricate world of power struggles, loyalty, and betrayal.

The arrival of Yellowstone on CBS marks a departure for a show that has primarily found its audience on cable television. This move could introduce the series to a broader demographic who may not typically watch Paramount Network. The show’s compelling narratives, cinematic visuals, and strong ensemble cast, which includes Kelly Reilly, Wes Bentley, and Luke Grimes, are likely to resonate with a wide range of viewers.

However, the broadcast on CBS also raises questions about potential editing or content adjustments to fit network television standards. Yellowstone is known for its mature themes, strong language, and intense violence, which may need to be modified for a network audience. Fans of the show will be keen to see how CBS handles these aspects while preserving the integrity of the storytelling.

‘SEAL Team’ Season 5: High-Octane Action Heads to Broadcast

SEAL Team, which initially aired its first four seasons on CBS, made the move to Paramount+ for its fifth and subsequent seasons. The series follows the elite Navy SEAL team known as Bravo Team as they plan and execute dangerous, high-stakes missions around the globe. The show delves into the professional and personal lives of these highly trained warriors, exploring the sacrifices they make and the bonds they forge.

Season 5 of SEAL Team saw Bravo Team facing new challenges and deployments, further developing the characters and their relationships. The season continued to deliver the intense action sequences and realistic portrayal of military operations that the show has become known for. Bringing Season 5 to CBS will allow viewers who may have missed its streaming run to experience the compelling storytelling and dynamic performances that have earned the series a dedicated following.

The return of SEAL Team to CBS could also reignite interest in the series among its original network audience. For viewers who may not have subscribed to Paramount+, this provides an accessible way to continue following the journeys of Jason Hayes (David Boreanaz) and the rest of Bravo Team. The show’s themes of patriotism, duty, and camaraderie often resonate with a broad audience, making it a potentially strong addition to CBS’s fall lineup.

Similar to Yellowstone, the broadcast of SEAL Team on CBS may involve some adjustments to content to align with network television standards. The show often features intense combat sequences and mature themes that might require editing for a broader audience. Viewers will be interested to see how CBS navigates these aspects while maintaining the essence of the series.

The Impact of the Hollywood Strikes on Fall TV

The decision by CBS to broadcast existing seasons of Yellowstone and SEAL Team underscores the significant impact of the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes on the television industry. With writers and actors on strike, production on most new and returning scripted series has been halted indefinitely. This has left networks scrambling to fill their fall schedules with alternative programming, including unscripted shows, reality competitions, and acquired series.

The strikes are driven by a range of issues, including fair compensation in the streaming era, residuals for streaming content, and concerns about the use of artificial intelligence in the creative process. The WGA has been on strike since May 2023, and SAG-AFTRA joined them in July 2023. There is no clear end in sight for the strikes, leaving the fall television season in a state of uncertainty.

CBS’s strategic acquisition of Yellowstone and SEAL Team season 5 is a direct response to this unprecedented situation. By leveraging popular, pre-existing content, the network can offer its viewers compelling programming while other networks may struggle to deliver new scripted series. This move could potentially give CBS a competitive advantage in terms of viewership during the fall season.

What This Means for Fans and the Future of TV

The arrival of Yellowstone and SEAL Team season 5 on CBS has several implications for fans of these shows and for the broader television landscape.

For fans who do not subscribe to streaming services, this provides an opportunity to watch or catch up on these popular series on a traditional broadcast network. It could also introduce the shows to a new audience who may not have been aware of their streaming availability.

However, fans who have already watched these seasons on their original platforms may not find the CBS broadcasts as appealing. The potential for content editing for network television could also be a concern for longtime viewers who appreciate the shows’ original uncut versions.

More broadly, CBS’s move highlights the fluidity of content distribution in the current media landscape. Shows that were once exclusive to cable or streaming platforms are now finding new avenues for reaching audiences. This could be a sign of a larger trend, where networks become more open to acquiring successful series from other platforms, especially during times of production disruption.

The success of Yellowstone and SEAL Team on CBS could also influence the future of these franchises. Strong viewership on network television might lead to further collaboration between CBS and the platforms where these shows originated. It could also impact the perception of streaming-first content and its potential reach on traditional broadcast.

Conclusion: A Fall TV Season Shaped by Unprecedented Circumstances

The upcoming fall television season is shaping up to be unlike any other in recent memory, largely due to the ongoing Hollywood strikes. In this environment of uncertainty, CBS’s strategic decision to broadcast the fifth seasons of Yellowstone and SEAL Team is a bold and potentially successful move. By bringing these popular and critically acclaimed series to network television, CBS is providing its audience with compelling content while other networks grapple with production shutdowns.

The arrival of these shows on CBS offers a new opportunity for a wider audience to experience their gripping storytelling and dynamic action. While questions remain about potential content adjustments for network television, the move underscores the adaptability of the industry in the face of unprecedented challenges. As the Hollywood strikes continue, the television landscape will likely continue to evolve, and CBS’s innovative programming strategy with Yellowstone and SEAL Team could serve as a model for other networks navigating this uncertain terrain. Fans of quality television will undoubtedly be tuning in to see how these streaming hits fare on traditional broadcast.