CBS gives full seasons to 'Vegas,' 'Elementary'

Freshman dramas both get back-nine orders

By Daniel Fienberg Tuesday, Oct 23, 2012 2:55 PM

Jonny Lee Miller of "Elementary"

Credit: CBS

CBS has given full-season orders to the most watched and second most watched new dramas of the fall.

The network announced on Tuesday (October 23) that both "Elementary" and "Vegas" have received back-nine orders.

This isn't exactly shocking news.

"Vegas" has been the fall's top new series, with an average viewership of 14.94 million and a 2.7 rating among adults 18-49 through its first three airings (including some quantity of DVR usage, presumably). Although "Vegas" has dropped in each of its post-premiere airings, the drama has improved on its time period by 8 percent in viewers (CBS tellingly makes no mention of the key demo).

"Elementary" ranks No. 2 for the season among new shows in viewers, averaging 14.30 million and a 3.5 rating among adults 18-49 in its Thursday 10 p.m. slot. Like "Vegas," "Elementary" has slipped in each of its post-premiere airings, but it has still given CBS a 17 percent bump among adults 18-49 for its hour.

"'Vegas' and 'Elementary' have opened strong, delivering big audiences and winning performances in important time periods," blurbs Nina Tassler, President, CBS Entertainment. "Each of the shows has rich characters, big stars and a unique visual style that have stood out in the crowd, helping make two of our strongest nights even stronger."

CBS was the first network to cancel a show this fall, bumping "Made in Jersey" after only two low-rated episodes. FOX, NBC and The CW have all given back-nine orders, leaving only ABC's new slate back-nine-less.

Still awaiting its positive or negative fate on CBS: The struggling Monday comedy "Partners."

Daniel Fienberg
Executive Editor

A long-time member of the TCA Board and a longer-time blogger of "American Idol," Dan Fienberg writes about TV, except for when he writes about movies or sometimes writes about the Red Sox. But never music. He would sound stupid talking about music.

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Balaji K

I was worried about the future of Vegas. The show has an excellent cast but has been disappointing amd the cases of the week haven't been interesting. I hope it improves like Justified or at least Longmire.

I haven't watched Elementary in 2 or 3 weeks. I am yet to watched the 3rd episode. I remember enjoying the first 2 episodes.
October 23, 2012 at 3:00PM EST Reply to Comment
- dan Balaji - You can still worry about the long-term future of "Vegas," but it was always pretty safe for the full season. And I thought the last "Vegas" episode was pretty decent.
  
  -Daniel
  October 23, 2012 at 3:02PM EST
- Balaji K "FOX, NBC and The CW have all given at least a couple back-nine orders"
  
  Other than Arrow what other show got the back-nine order from The CW? Emily Owens and BatB got 3 additional script orders.
  October 23, 2012 at 3:06PM EST
- dan Balaji - Misphrased.
  
  -Daniel
  October 23, 2012 at 3:08PM EST
- Balaji K I'd like to add that the networks seem to have lowered their expectations as for as 10PM shows are concerned. If CBS is happy with the numbers Vegas and Elementary are churning out, ABC should be happy with Nashville and Castle numbers. As for NBC, Revolution is renewed, Parenthood is safe and I don't care about Chicago Fire.
  October 23, 2012 at 3:28PM EST
- dan Balaji - I agree with you on all but "Nashville." The Week 2 drop was prohibitive and there's no way of knowing (until Thursday morning) what the fall is gonna be for Week 3. Because of "Revenge," ABC knows that it's not impossible to do numbers in that slot. It "Nashville" is flat this week, ABC won't sweat it. If it drops another 25+ percent (or even 10), ABC won't be happy...
  
  -Daniel
  October 23, 2012 at 3:52PM EST