Watching your favourite show and then… it doesn’t begin when it’s supposed to. You’re not imagining it. If you’re tuning in to Tracker or The Road on CBS on Sunday nights and waiting, wondering what’s up — you’re onto something. Let’s peel back the curtain and dig into why these shows often don’t start on time.
Sunday Night: The Perfect Storm of Programming
CBS Sunday primetime is a tricky slot
Sunday evening seems like prime real estate for networks: people are home, relaxing, ready to watch TV. But that also means it’s a slot packed with variables: sports, award shows, overruns, local news. For CBS, especially, Sunday is one of the most unpredictable nights.
Live sports and events rule the night
Live events — whether it’s NFL, NCAA tournaments, golf, or special live music/award shows — have to be aired in full. You can’t cut away from an unexpected overtime. That means the rest of the schedule is often pushed back. According to Wikipedia’s summary of Sunday prime time, delays because of sports are built into CBS’s model.
Why that affects scripted shows like Tracker & The Road
So if a football game runs late, or a special broadcast goes long, the network can’t just dump it — they push everything else later. That means shows scheduled for say 8:00 p.m. may start at 8:30, 9:00, or even later. And yes — that means your DVR recording, your expectations, everything gets scrambled.
Case in Point: “Tracker” and Its Scheduling Woes
What’s “Tracker”?
“Tracker” is a drama series starring Justin Hartley, airing on CBS.
Viewers complaining, for good reason
Fans have reported repeatedly that “Tracker” does not start when it’s advertised. For example:
“This is because the executives at CBS think that they should have original programming on Sunday night after they decide to run sports, which ALWAYS run late…”
And:
“Tonight’s schedule is all screwed up… the NCAA Tournament delayed everything by 30 minutes.”
Specific causes for “Tracker” delays
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An event (like a concert special) moved into the normal 8 p.m. slot, shifting the show.
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A sporting event (e.g., golf tournament or NCAA game) ran long and delayed the 9 p.m. start.
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Irregular time shifts make DVRs unreliable — viewers often miss the beginning or end.
Impact on the show and audience
When your show starts late or unpredictably:
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Viewers get frustrated and might stop tuning in.
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Ratings can suffer — crucial for network decision-making.
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Word spreads on forums and social media (yes, we’re watching).
What About “The Road”? Why It’s Also Affected
What is “The Road”?
“The Road” is another CBS program — in this case described as a country-music mentorship show.
Why is its start time shaky?
Although I did not find a specific article listing “The Road” as repeatedly late, the same structural reasons apply: it’s on Sunday night on CBS — a slot vulnerable to live-event overruns, shifting time slots, and programming to accommodate big draws.
Additional factors relevant to such shows
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Promotional tie-ins: If the network pairs a show with a big event (like a tour, concert, game) the scheduling around it gets even more complex. “The Road” wrapping its promotional tour at a Titans game (see above) hints at that kind of cross-event scheduling.
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Early episodes might get moved or re-shaped when the network tests them in slots impacted by other programming.
The Network’s Logic: Why They Allow It
Live sports & events bring big viewers
From a business perspective, sports and live events are gold. They bring large audiences and make networks lots of advertising money. Shifting a drama like “Tracker” is annoying, but the network likely concludes it’s not worth undermining the live event.
Protecting anchor shows
Classic shows like 60 Minutes often hold a fixed place in the schedule. Wikipedia notes that “60 Minutes” sometimes starts later because of sports overruns, and other programs get shifted.
Flexibility built into the schedule
Because delays happen frequently, the network and affiliates expect them. Posts on forums suggest CBS has made arrangements:
“CBS changed the scheduled start time to 7:30 pm Eastern (or game conclusion) for Eastern and Central time zones.”
Streaming & DVR fill the gaps
Networks might also assume viewers will shift to on-demand, streaming platforms or catch up if they miss the live start. That changes the calculus. Some viewers even suspect the delays push them to platforms like Paramount+.
How It Affects Viewers (That Means You)
DVR nightmares and recording frustration
If your recorder is set to start at 8:00 and record an hour, but your show begins at 8:30 or later, you’ll miss the beginning or end. Reddit and forum users are vocal:
“So… does this show ever start on time?”
Spoilers, confusion, switching channels
When a show doesn’t start on time, viewers may switch to something else, miss key scenes, or give up for the night. That can reduce engagement and upset creators and fans alike.
Ratings and show survival at risk
Inconsistent start times can negatively impact ratings and thus the future of a show. A network might argue “the viewer didn’t tune in live,” which impacts metrics.
Practical Tips for Watching Without the Wait
Check listings, but check early
Before tuning in, check your local CBS schedule and local affiliate; sometimes they post updates about delays. Don’t rely on “8 p.m. sharp” if there’s sports earlier in the day.
Adjust your DVR recording
Set your recorder to start earlier (e.g., 15-30 minutes early) and end later (extra 30 minutes) to account for delays. Many forum users recommend this.
Be prepared to stream or watch on‐demand
If the live airing starts late or you miss part of it, consider catching it via on-demand or streaming service where available.
Stay informed about major sports/events
If there’s a big game (NFL, NCAA, golf) earlier in the day, there’s a higher chance of the primetime schedule getting pushed.
Why CBS Doesn’t Just Fix This Every Week
Complexity of multiple time zones and affiliate networks
CBS is a nationwide network with many local affiliates. A sports overrun in one region may force adjustments broadly. Coordinating this across time zones is non-trivial.
Contractual obligations to live events
Sports leagues and event rights mean CBS must air in full — there’s no cutting short. That means downstream programming must bend.
Viewer behavior has shifted
More viewers use streaming, on-demand and DVR. Live start times are less sacred than before. So the network may feel less pressure to always start at the scheduled hour.
The trade-off: live event ratings vs scripted consistency
CBS may decide that it’s more beneficial to run the live event and accept that the drama airs later, rather than shifting the event or losing viewership.
The Bigger Picture: Sunday Night TV is Changing
The “graveyard slot” risk
Some analysts consider Sunday nights for certain scripted shows a “graveyard slot” — many series struggle to find consistent ratings here because of the unpredictability.
Streaming and on-demand are altering expectations
Viewers don’t always expect shows to air exactly at 8 anymore. Many are catching up later, which may lessen the perceived problem — but it still matters for live watchers and DVR users.
Network strategy shifting
Networks are increasingly flexible: airing big events, then repeats, then shifting new episodes. The days of rigid schedule for every show may be fading.
Summary
So to answer the question: why do “Tracker” and “The Road” not start on time on CBS Sundays? Because they’re part of a Sunday night schedule that is inherently fluid — live sports and events take precedence, causing scripted shows to be delayed. The network’s structure allows for this, and though frustrating for viewers, it’s a reality of modern television scheduling.
If you’re a viewer wanting to stay ahead of delays: set your DVR generously, check listings, and be ready for the unexpected. And if you find yourself waiting yet again for your show to begin — at least now you know why.
FAQs
Q1: Does CBS have an official policy for delayed start times on Sundays?
Yes. CBS adjusts its start time when sports or live events run over. For example, in 2012, CBS officially pushed beginning of primetime to 7:30 p.m. Eastern in certain cases to accommodate late games.
Q2: Are “Tracker” and “The Road” always delayed or only sometimes?
They’re not always delayed, but both face more frequent delays simply because Sunday nights on CBS are high-risk for overruns. For “Tracker,” multiple documented cases exist of delays and schedule changes.
Q3: How can I reliably record these shows if the start time is uncertain?
Set your recording to begin 15-30 minutes early and end later than the scheduled hour. Monitor sports or live events earlier in the day. Use on-demand if the live airing becomes problematic.
Q4: Does streaming count if I miss the live start?
Yes. Many networks now count streaming and on-demand viewership as part of the overall audience. So missing the live start is less catastrophic than before — but if you care about watching from the beginning, you’ll still want to catch it as live or recorded.
Q5: Could CBS move “Tracker” or “The Road” to a different time slot to avoid these issues?
Possibly. Networks often move shows if they’re struggling in a slot with too many disruptions. But such a move depends on many factors like production costs, contracts, ratings, and network strategy. As of now, viewers of both shows still face the Sunday schedule turbulence.
