Another major vote of confidence for CBS’ breakout new series Scorpion. On the heels of giving the action drama one of the biggest lead-ins in television by slotting an episode after the NFL’s AFC Championship game next Sunday, the network has given Scorpion an early second-season renewal. Also getting early pickups for a second season: dramas NCIS: New Orleans and Madam Secretary.
This represents a renewal of three of CBS’ four new fall dramas, all three having full-season pickup and all owned by CBS sibling CBS Studios. The fourth, the Warner Bros. TV-produced Stalker, whose back order was a few episodes short of a full-season 22, remains in contention for a pickup, CBS chairman Nina Tassler said, calling it “a unique spin on the crime genre.”
Ditto for freshman fall comedy The McCarthys, which only received a three-episode back order, with Tassler noting that the softly rated sitcom has logged some of its strongest numbers this past week.
In addition to strong Live+Same Day ratings, Scorpion is a big DVR gainer. It recently topped the list of a 18-49 lift (1.3, +65%) for any program the week ending December 21.
NCIS: NOLA and Madam Secretary rank as the No.1 and No.2 new series this season in total viewers, with 18.1 million and 14.9 million, respectively.
Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy.
