CBS is planning to switch a couple of their freshman dramas around for midseason. Blue Bloods, which currently airs on Friday nights at 10pm, will move to Wednesdays at 10pm beginning January 19th. The Defenders will shift from Wednesdays at 10pm to Fridays at 8pm beginning February 4th (filling cancelled Medium’s timeslot).
On Friday nights, Blue Bloods has been averaging a 1.8 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 11.22 million viewers. While that’s a lot of total viewers, the demo numbers are about what Numb3rs was averaging last season, before CBS cancelled it. The move to Wednesday nights will likely show the network whether or not the series is capable of doing better in the demo department. It’ll have four weeks in the timeslot before heading back to Fridays at 10pm on February 11th. Spin-off Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior takes over the Wednesday night slot on February 16th.
Things haven’t been looking too good for The Defenders and the move to Friday nights isn’t exactly a vote of confidence. You may recall that CBS ordered just five additional episodes in October, bringing the first season total to just 18 installments.
Defenders has averaged a 2.2 in the 18-49 demo and 10.02 million total viewers. It premiered at a 2.9 rating and has fallen as low as a 1.8 in the demo. Of CBS’ 18 scripted series, it currently ranks 15th, not far above Blue Bloods which has already been airing on little-watched Fridays.
What do you think? Will this move help or hurt these shows’ chances for season two? What do you think the end result will be?
I think both Defenders and Blue Bloods are great. Do the networks really read these opinions. Give them a little more time.
maybe CBS should have considered saving numbers and moving it out of the death trap of Friday evenings. I think both Blue bloods and Defenders is improving as the shows progress and not being fairly judged to this point.. I REALLY MISS NUMBERS….
My husband and I love both these shows. You should have left well enough alone. Please don’t cancel either. Defenders is our favorite, we haven’t missed an episode yet.
We like both shows at our house!!! Hope they think things through before cancelling either!!!
I LOVE both Blue Bloods and The Defenders. In fact, most every show I watch is on CBS; however, quite frankly, that may change. I am tired of all the shows I like being cancelled. I don’t know why the networks are always just interested in the demographic group of 18-49 year olds. We senior citizens are those who watch the most tv because we are not out partying. or engaging in activities with children. We also spend money and buy the advertised products. Now, however, with DVR, I prefer to record the shows so I can skip the commercials… Read more »
I think The Defenders is one of the best shows around. I liked where it was on Wednesday and it’ll probably lose audience by shifting it to Fridays. I don’t care for Blue Bloods at all. Was disappointed, had expected a better show. To begin with the casting is lousy and the whole idea of Tom Selleck as this huge family idol and odd ball children is unbelievable. Keep The Defenders get rid of Blue Bloods. The Defenders has good fun, interesting stories with just enough good moral feeling to make you feel good about what they are doing.
Love ’em both. But, I agree with the above, moves are usually not good for someone. And short debuts with no fanfare, never get the chance they need. I’m reminded of Jerico and the tons of nuts sent to CBS by angry fans.
Both shows are great the networks dont give shows enough time to gather a following
Love both Blue Bloods and The Defenders. There is so much junk on tv that it is a relief to watch shows for enjoyment.
Absolutely(sp)LOVE BLUE BLOODS !! weds will be horrible I’m not a big tv fan but CBS friday nites had me hooked!! Very sad I wont make 10 on a weds
What??
I don’t think the networks really give new shows a chance. We like Defenders and Blue Bloods. But, when you start switching shows around, people who do watch them get frustrated and say the heck with it. If Blue Bloods does well on Wednesdays, leave it alone. Blue Bloods is not “just another cop show”; it’s a show about family values and respect. I will be sorry if either is cancelled.
Loved the show. There is chemistry. I think this is a bad move for the Defenders.
i think they should leave things alone. give the defenders a chance its a great show
As much as I like Defenders, I’m afraid that anything that airs in The Ghjosy Whisperer’s time slot is DOA. It’s a fine line between shaking things up an biting the hand that feeds you. Choosing the import Medium over the established GW was just stupid. If GW had been allowed a natural death there would have been no backlash from fans. I was switching from the ABC comedy block to watch Defenders (I like According to Jim) but I will not be switching for Blue Blood. Guess I can go to bed earlier on Wednesdays now. The premise of… Read more »
Love The Defenders, hope CBS keeps it around.