Big News: Yellowstone Joins CBS' Epic Fall TV Lineup in Response to Strikes!

Yellowstone will join CBS' lineup for the fall of 2023. The fall schedules of CBS and other TV networks had to be revised due to strikes by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists). The changes were initiated after the writers strike began on May 2, and the situation was further complicated by the actors strike starting on July 14.

According to Deadline, CBS will include past episodes of Yellowstone in their fall 2023 schedule, marking the show's broadcast debut on the network. CBS' schedule reveals that Yellowstone will air at 8:00pm and 9:00pm on NFL singleheader Sundays, and only at 9:00pm on doubleheader Sundays. Given that Yellowstone is currently available exclusively on Peacock for streaming, it was surprising to see CBS find a way to air the series. Insiders suggest that this was made possible because the show is produced by MTV Entertainment Studios, which is a sister company of CBS and works together with 101 Studios.

How Networks Are Adapting Their Fall Schedules During The WGA & SAG-AFTRA Strikes

CBS's decision to air Yellowstone is a strategic move that benefits both the network and the popular drama series. Previously released on the Paramount Network, Yellowstone will now reach a wider audience by airing on CBS after football games in the fall. This move not only generates buzz for CBS but also helps Yellowstone gain more attention during the hiatus before its fifth and final season resumes.

Following a similar approach, another network, ABC, plans to air all episodes of Disney+'s Ms. Marvel between August 5 and August 12. This marks the first time an MCU series receives a broadcast debut, an important milestone given the production shutdowns. In the absence of new scripted series, networks have turned to reality television as well. CBS's reality series, Big Brother, traditionally premieres in late June or early July. This year, however, it will make its debut on August 2, ensuring that the show, with its three episodes per week, becomes a significant part of CBS's fall schedule.

The current strategic moves may be effective in the short term, but they are ultimately not viable in the long run. It is crucial for studios to address the fair and equitable demands of writers and actors who are on strike. The decision to bring Yellowstone to CBS and Ms. Marvel to ABC can only serve as temporary fixes and will eventually lose their appeal. Without the involvement of writers and actors, networks and streaming services are unable to produce fresh scripted content, which is the very foundation of their success.