Overview of CBS 2019 Fall Lineup
The 2019–2020 television season marked a major transition for CBS as it leaned heavily on established hits, familiar stars, and a slate of event premieres. This guide explains the full CBS 2019 fall TV schedule, highlights new dramas and comedies, tracks renewals and cancellations midseason, and shows how the network balanced tried-and-true franchises with fresh storytelling. Expect reliable weekly planning details, key time slots, and a durable reference you can use for season-by-season comparisons.
Schedule and Time Slots
CBS maintained a largely structured week pattern in fall 2019, with marquee dramas on Mondays and Tuesdays, comedies and event programming on Thursdays, and solid hours on Sundays. Below is an overview of key shows by night and notable scheduling moves during the season.
Monday Night
CBS anchored Monday with legacy procedurals and a top-rated reboot. The block typically paired strong storytelling with reliable live-plus-same-day viewership, making it a cornerstone of the schedule.
| Show | Time (ET) | Role | Status during 2019–20 |
|---|---|---|---|
| S.W.A.T. | 8:00 PM | Lead-in drama | Renewed |
| The Equalizer | 9:00 PM | New drama (midseason) | Picked up for full season |
| Elementary | 10:00 PM | Returning series | Renewed |
Tuesday Night
Tuesdays featured a strong mix of comedies and procedurals, anchored by two of the network’s biggest hits. The lineup emphasized broad accessibility and consistent scheduling.
| Show | Time (ET) | Role | Status during 2019–20 |
|---|---|---|---|
| FBI | 8:00 PM | Top drama | Renewed |
| FBI: Most Wanted | 9:00 PM | Spin-off launch | Renewed |
| NCIS | 10:00 PM | Flagship franchise | Renewed |
| NCIS: New Orleans | 10:00 PM | Franchise entry | Renewed |
Wednesday Night
Midweek highlighted lighter comedies and heartfelt dramedy, contributing to a well-rounded week of viewing choices.
| Show | Time (ET) | Role | Status during 2019–20 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life in Pieces | 8:00 PM | Comedy | Not renewed |
| Bob Hearts Abishola | 8:30 PM | New sitcom | Renewed |
| Bull | 9:00 PM | Legal drama | Renewed |
| SEAL Team | 10:00 PM | Action drama | Renewed |
Thursday Night
Thursday was the home of big-event comedies and celebrity-driven competition, designed to attract wide audience engagement.
| Show | Time (ET) | Role | Status during 2019–20 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mom | 8:00 PM | Established comedy | Renewed |
| B Positive | 8:30 PM | New sitcom | Renewed |
| The Unicorn | 9:00 PM | New sitcom | Not renewed |
| Will & Grace | 9:30 PM | Revival | Renewed |
| The Big Bang Theory | 10:00 PM | Flagship comedy | Final season |
Sunday Night
Sunday delivered prestige drama and sports-driven event windows, closing the week with strong franchise power.
| Show | Time (ET) | Role | Status during 2019–20 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 Minutes | 7:00 PM | News magazine | Continued |
| Instinct | 8:00 PM | Drama | Not renewed |
| Shark Tank | 9:00 PM | Reality | Renewed |
| 60 Minutes Sports | 10:00 PM | Sports magazine | Continued |
Notable New Series for 2019–20
CBS introduced several new dramas designed to extend its procedural and event franchises, while adding a pair of sitcoms with distinct voices. These launches were positioned as safe bets given their connection to established templates or marquee talent.
- The Equalizer (debuted February 2020; late-season pickup)
- FBI: Most Wanted (February 2020 spin-off)
- Bob Hearts Abishola (comedic romantic pilot)
- B Positive (workplace sitcom with announcer Drew Carey)
Renewals, Cancellations, and Midseason Changes
Throughout the 2019–20 season, CBS signaled clear commitments by renewing long-running performers while strategically paring a few underperforming shows. These moves reflected a balance between protecting reliable revenue and testing new premises.
| Show | Initial renewal signal | Action taken | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| S.W.A.T. | Strong ratings | Renewed | Early 2020 |
| The Equalizer | Limited run | Expanded to full season | Midseason |
| Life in Pieces | Declining ratings | Not renewed | Midseason cancel |
| The Unicorn | Fresh premise | Not renewed | Midseason cancel |
Performance and Audience Context
CBS entered 2019–20 with a lineup built to maintain its leadership in advertiser-friendly demos for adults 18–49 and 25–54, particularly on weeknights. The heavy reliance on established procedurals was designed to insulate the schedule from volatility and support affiliate sales. While new series provided freshness, the core strategy leaned on dependable franchises on nights with the strongest linear viewing.
How This Lineup Compared to Prior Seasons
Relative to 2018–19, CBS 2019 fall TV shows emphasized stability over radical overhaul. A few cancellations created room for midseason entries, and the network balanced prestige nonfiction (60 Minutes) with big comedy tentpoles. The shift included stronger midweek storytelling and tighter clustering of tentpole franchises on key nights.
Tips for Following the Season
- Check local affiliate listings for exact CBS 2019 fall TV show times in your market, as some stations adjust feeds slightly.
- Use DVR or streaming services to manage busy weeks; CBS offers on-demand content for most episodes.
- Monitor renewal announcements midseason to plan ongoing viewing commitments.
Conclusion and Everlasting Reference Value
This overview of CBS 2019 fall TV shows is designed as a durable reference. Even beyond the 2019–20 season, it captures how the network balanced legacy hits with calculated experiments. Use this guide to understand scheduling patterns, compare renewal decisions, and contextualize the evolution of CBS’s programming in subsequent years.