CBS Fills Fall 2026 Schedule With Three New Series, Delays 'Matlock' and 'Ghosts' to Midseason

CBS announced its 2026-2027 primetime schedule on April 15, introducing three new series while pushing two of its biggest hits to midseason. The network will debut drama "NCIS: New York," drama "Cupertino," and comedy "Eternally Yours" in the fall, with "Matlock" and "Ghosts" held for January 2027 launch.

"NCIS: New York," a spinoff featuring LL Cool J and Scott Caan, will anchor Tuesday nights at 9 p.m. ET between the original "NCIS" and "NCIS: Origins." The new drama "Cupertino" will air Thursdays at 10 p.m., while comedy "Eternally Yours" joins the Thursday 8:30 p.m. slot after "Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage."

CBS entertainment president Amy Reisenbach defended the decision to delay the network's two strongest performers. "It really speaks to the strength of our schedule that we're in a position to move bonafide hits like 'Matlock' and 'Ghosts' to mid season," she said in the announcement.

The three new fall series replace programming canceled this season. Comedy "DMV" and drama "Watson" were recently canceled, and long-running comedy "The Neighborhood" is ending after its current season. Reisenbach acknowledged the cancellations but cited CBS's high renewal standards: "We aggregate all the numbers we look at, and we have to make those tough decisions in order to make room for new shows."

Midseason will also bring drama "Einstein," which has already filmed several episodes. The network delayed decisions on unscripted series including "America's Culinary Cup" and "The Road," with Reisenbach noting that unscripted programming follows a different production timeline.

Context

CBS has relied heavily on franchise expansion in recent years, particularly the "NCIS" universe. The original "NCIS" remains one of network television's top performers, and "NCIS: Sydney" launched in fall 2024 as the franchise's second spinoff. The addition of "NCIS: New York" marks the third series in the expanding universe.

"Matlock," which premiered in fall 2024 as a reboot of the 1980s legal drama, became an unexpected ratings success for CBS. "Ghosts," which debuted in 2021, has consistently ranked among the network's highest-rated comedies. Both shows performed well enough in their inaugural seasons to earn quick renewals, making their midseason shift a strategic choice rather than a ratings-driven cancellation.

What's Next

The delayed January 2027 premiere of "Matlock" and "Ghosts" signals CBS's strategy to front-load fall with new content while using proven hits to stabilize ratings during the competitive midseason period. CBS will test audience appetite for the three new series over the fall months before determining their renewal viability. Additionally, the network's decision to premiere "NCIS: New York" in a high-profile Tuesday slot between two established franchise entries will directly measure whether audiences will support a third "NCIS" spinoff.