Network television is in a tricky place, to say the least. Production was halted early on many series, which has led to a premature ending to the regular TV season. But could that mean Kevin Costner’s Yellowstone airing on CBS? Well, it may just be a possibility.
Due to the Viacom/CBS re-merger, the Eye Network has Paramount Network in its stable of content. And now, THR reports that CBS could utilize programming from not only Paramount Network but from MTV and VH1 as well. So what's one of the most popular shows on Paramount Network right now? Kevin Costner’s Yellowstone.
Bringing Yellowstone to CBS’ slate would be a reasonable move when you consider its success in the ratings. It's also one of the few series that's guaranteed to air a new season, in its entirety, this summer. The modern-day Western finished production on its upcoming run of episodes well before the coronavirus pandemic hit. In addition, it's already been renewed for a fourth season. Being aired on CBS could only heighten its already distinguishable profile.
Cole Hauser did say that he believes Yellowstone could get even more popular in the future, so what better way to make that happen than with a run on a Big Four network? The one thing that still needs to be considered (besides the drama requiring a network-friendly edit) is that the Kevin Costner starrer is set to start streaming soon.
Earlier this year, it was announced that NBCUniversal’s Peacock would be the streaming home of Yellowstone, thus paving the way for it to gain an even wider audience. Given this, CBS running Yellowstone during one of its vacant time slots could theoretically be an issue. Of course, the Eye Network has more than Yellowstone to consider.
In addition to the aforementioned Paramount Network, MTV and VH1, CBS has access to content from CBS All Access and Showtime. CBS All Access alone has Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Picard, which recently finished its first season. Meanwhile, Showtime has globe-trotting thriller Homeland and the soon-to-be-ending dramedy Shameless. Needless to say, there are plenty of big-name TV contenders at its disposal.
All of their reality slates are pretty compelling as well. Keep in mind that when a show (that airs during the regular TV season) can resume production and for how long is a huge question mark, which is why CBS would be looking to fill out both the summer and fall schedules. Time will tell how the network decides to proceed.
Yellowstone will return after this spring’s premieres on Paramount Network and, as mentioned, the Kevin Costner-led series will eventual stream on NBCUniversal’s upcoming service, Peacock. Additionally, it launches for Comcast’s X1 and Flex subscribers on April 15 before going national on July 15.
