In the fiercely competitive landscape of modern television, where streaming giants like Netflix, HBO, and Amazon pour billions into creating endless original content, broadcast networks are fighting for survival. The traditional model of a standalone hit show is a thing of the past. The new blueprint for success is not just about creating a hit; it’s about creating an empire. And no network has embraced this strategy with more conviction and aggression than CBS. This fall, the network is poised to go all-in on its most valuable intellectual property, with a bold new plan to expand its most beloved shows into full-fledged franchises. The network is no longer just producing television shows; it is building a universe, and the strategy is clear: if it works once, it can work again.
From the established and proven formula of NCIS to the new breakout hit of Fire Country and the long-running family drama of Blue Bloods, CBS is betting big on the power of brand recognition and a loyal fan base. The network is not just giving us spinoffs; it is giving us entertainment ecosystems. And whether you’re a fan of a legal drama, a family saga, or a crime procedural, the message is clear: the future of broadcast television is not about new ideas; it’s about expanding the ones we already love.
The Blueprint of Success: The NCIS Universe
The blueprint for CBS’s franchise strategy is, of course, the NCIS universe. The original series, a spinoff of JAG, has been a ratings juggernaut for over two decades. But its real genius lies in its ability to spawn its own successful offspring. The original show was so popular that it gave birth to a number of successful spinoffs, including NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: New Orleans, and NCIS: Hawai’i. The strategy was a simple but brilliant one: take a beloved brand, a well-established procedural format, and a familiar set of characters, and move them to a new, exotic location.
The model works because it doesn’t have to build an audience from scratch. It gets to borrow one. The fans of the original show, who are already invested in the world of naval crime, are much more likely to tune in to a new show with a similar feel. The network can use a backdoor pilot, a common episode of the original show that introduces the new characters, to launch the new series. This is a much safer and more cost-effective way to launch a new show than taking a gamble on a new idea. The NCIS universe is a testament to the power of a brand and the loyalty of a fan base. It is a model that CBS has perfected, and it is a model that it is now using to build a new empire.
Building a New Universe: The Fire Country Model
While NCIS is the proven model, Fire Country is the new case study. The show, which follows a young convict who joins a firefighting program in exchange for a reduced sentence, was an instant breakout hit. It was a perfect blend of high-stakes action, emotional drama, and a talented cast that audiences immediately fell in love with. The show’s success was not a surprise, but its potential to become a new franchise was.
CBS quickly greenlit a spinoff, tentatively titled Sheriff Country, which would follow the show’s popular character, Sheriff Mickey, as she navigates her new role in law enforcement. The strategy here is a bit different from the NCIS model. It’s not just about a new location; it’s about extending the emotional connections viewers have to the main series. The show’s core appeal is its character-driven drama, and a spinoff would allow the network to explore the lives of a new set of characters while still keeping them in the same universe. This is a more modern approach, one that is more in line with the kind of interconnected universes that streaming services are building. It’s a bold gamble, but one that is likely to pay off. The network is taking a proven hit and building a new world around it, a world that is filled with the kind of emotional stakes that audiences crave.
The Family Business: The Blue Bloods Approach
The final piece of CBS’s franchise strategy is a familiar one: the long-running family drama, Blue Bloods. The show, which follows the Reagan family, a multi-generational clan of law enforcement officers in New York City, has been a ratings juggernaut for over a decade. While the show is preparing for its final season, the network is already planning its future. The rumor is that a spinoff is in the works, one that would follow one of the Reagan family members as they start a new chapter in their lives.
This strategy is a natural fit for the show. Its core appeal is the family dynamic, which is a ready-made concept for a spinoff. It’s less about a new location and more about a new branch of the family tree. A spinoff, whether it follows Danny Reagan as he starts a new life in a different city or a new member of the family as they begin their career in law enforcement, would allow the network to continue the legacy of the show while still exploring new storylines. It’s a brilliant way to keep the brand alive and to continue to capitalize on the loyalty of its fan base. It shows that CBS’s strategy is versatile and can be applied to different genres—procedural, action, and family drama.
The Future of Broadcast Television?
In the age of streaming, where audiences have an endless supply of original content, CBS is betting that the key to success is not in creating new ideas, but in expanding the ones we already love. The network is not just making television shows; it’s building entertainment ecosystems. The strategy is clear: reduce risk, capitalize on existing intellectual property, and leverage brand loyalty. The benefits are obvious: a higher probability of success, a more cost-effective way to produce content, and a loyal fan base that is more likely to tune in.
But the question remains: is this the future of broadcast television, or is it just a temporary fix? Is the audience’s appetite for franchises endless, or will they eventually tire of the same old stories? Only time will tell. But for now, one thing is clear: CBS is all in. And for fans of its most beloved shows, the future looks bright, with a new universe of entertainment waiting to be explored.
