In an exciting new move, CBS has revamped the schedule for its popular FBI franchise. Starting January 28, 2025, all three shows in the franchise—FBI, FBI: Most Wanted, and FBI: International—will air consecutively on Monday nights, giving viewers an uninterrupted lineup of thrilling federal crime dramas. This new schedule promises to provide fans with a seamless viewing experience and is designed to build on the franchise’s growing popularity.
A Unified “All-FBI Monday” Programming Block
With the revamped schedule, CBS is introducing the concept of an “All-FBI Monday” programming block. The idea is to consolidate the franchise’s shows into a single prime-time window, creating a cohesive block of crime drama content for its audience. The lineup will begin with FBI airing at 8:00 PM ET, followed by FBI: Most Wanted at 9:00 PM ET, and FBI: International at 10:00 PM ET.
This schedule change is part of CBS’s ongoing effort to strengthen its position as the leading network for procedural dramas, capitalizing on the success of the FBI brand. By placing all three shows in a back-to-back time slot, CBS is betting that viewers will be more likely to stay tuned for the entire evening, thus increasing engagement and solidifying the FBI franchise’s grip on Monday night television.
What This Means for the Shows
For FBI, the flagship show of the franchise, this change provides an opportunity to build on its solid viewership. The series has consistently been one of CBS’s top-rated programs, and by pairing it with its spin-offs in a block, the network aims to maximize the reach of each show. This also gives the FBI team an opportunity to tie storylines more closely between the shows, potentially creating crossover events that will keep viewers hooked throughout the night.
As for FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International, the shift to the new schedule could be a game-changer. FBI: Most Wanted, which focuses on the elite team of FBI agents hunting down the country’s most dangerous fugitives, has seen strong ratings but could benefit from a more tightly integrated slot within the franchise. By following the flagship series, it will be able to build off FBI‘s viewership, drawing in those already invested in the FBI world.
Similarly, FBI: International, which follows agents stationed overseas as part of the Bureau’s international operations, stands to benefit from a more cohesive schedule. The unique global focus of the show provides a fresh angle on the typical FBI storylines, and airing it after FBI: Most Wanted could offer an exciting international twist to a night of federal crime drama.
The Strategy Behind the Move
CBS’s decision to restructure its schedule is a calculated effort to strengthen the FBI brand while also optimizing the viewership of its popular procedural shows. This move reflects the growing trend of networks consolidating their most successful franchises to capture a more significant portion of the prime-time audience.
The scheduling change also gives the network a chance to promote crossovers and events that span multiple series. With all three shows airing back-to-back, CBS can easily create opportunities for characters to appear across different series, building a more interconnected universe for FBI fans. These crossovers are a proven strategy for boosting ratings and generating buzz, and with this new schedule, CBS is in a prime position to capitalize on that formula.
What Fans Can Expect
For loyal FBI viewers, this new schedule means more drama, more action, and more of the characters they’ve come to love. The franchise’s strong ensemble casts, led by actors such as Missy Peregrym (Special Agent Maggie Bell), Zeeko Zaki (Special Agent Omar Adom Zidan), and Julian McMahon (Special Agent Jess LaCroix in FBI: Most Wanted), promise to continue delivering compelling performances across all three shows. With the interconnected storytelling style the FBI franchise is known for, viewers can expect intricate plots and high-stakes situations that will keep them on the edge of their seats.
For those who enjoy binge-watching their favorite crime procedurals, the new FBI Monday night lineup will make it easier than ever to immerse themselves in the world of the FBI. With a steady flow of action-packed storylines, from domestic terrorism cases to international fugitive hunts, CBS is ensuring that fans of the FBI franchise have plenty to look forward to each week.
How This Change Affects Other CBS Programming
The shift in the schedule will also have a ripple effect on other CBS programming. By consolidating its highest-performing crime dramas into one night, CBS is signaling a prioritization of the FBI franchise over other programming on Mondays. Other shows that previously aired in the 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM time slots may be shifted to different days, or in some cases, face cancellation if their viewership cannot compete with the powerhouse FBI block.
For CBS, this move is all about ensuring that its strongest content is given the best possible platform. The FBI franchise has become one of the network’s most reliable properties, and this schedule change is aimed at capitalizing on its success while bringing in new viewers who may have previously missed one of the shows.
Conclusion: A New Era for CBS Crime Dramas
The introduction of the “All-FBI Monday” programming block marks an exciting new chapter for the FBI franchise and CBS’s prime-time lineup. With all three FBI series now airing consecutively on Monday nights, CBS is taking a bold step to ensure that its crime dramas remain at the forefront of television. For fans, it promises an even more thrilling and interconnected viewing experience, while for CBS, it offers a powerful way to dominate the Monday night ratings. As the FBI franchise continues to expand and evolve, this new scheduling strategy is sure to play a central role in the show’s continued success.
