CBS Shuns More Reality TV

In an effort to fill broadcast time slots left vacant by the ongoing WGA writer’s strike most of the network television channels in America have started resorting to unscripted “reality” programming and primetime game shows.

Three of the big four have become very reliant on the unscripted formula ranging everywhere from “Dancing With The Stars,” “American Idol,” “Gladiators” and “Deal or No Deal.”

While CBS has its own share of such programing including shows like “Survivor,” “Big Brother” and “The Amazing Race,” they have decided that for this upcoming dry season we are currently entering in, they will rely less on unscripted fare and more on original scripted drama and comedy. The difference is these shows will be brought to CBS/Paramount Television via Canada, England, Israel and Australia.

Even if the strike were settled today and all writers returned to work in front of their keyboards immediately, it would be at least two to three months before new programming would be available to air. That leaves the proverbial “dead air” that no network can afford to have and CBS has opted to fill it with original series and specials from outside U.S. borders.

One of the shows coming your way soon on the Eye Network will be the Canadian produced drama titled “Flashpoint.” It is a cop drama series out of Toronto and CBS has ordered up 13 episodes to air later this year.

Even NBC has sort of gotten on the bandwagon and will use other mediums like the internet and transfer shows like “Quarterlife” to its upcoming roster.

As we reported earlier today, the SCI FI Channel has signed on the web-based series “Sanctuary” to begin airing on its cable network, even going so far as to generate a new full 2-hr premiere never before seen.

Finally, the biggest news for many is CBS’ capture of the Showtime original series “Dexter” to its lineup.