The New Era Of CBS: 7 Shocking Moves And Schedule Shifts Defining The 2025-2026 Season

The landscape of American television is undergoing a seismic transformation, and the network at the center of the storm is CBS. As of late 2025, the company—now operating under the corporate umbrella of a newly merged entity—is not just renewing its hit shows; it is actively pursuing one of the largest and most aggressive media acquisitions in history while simultaneously shaking up its executive leadership and its iconic primetime schedule.

The latest updates confirm a dual strategy: a major, high-stakes corporate push to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), and a content strategy focused on doubling down on successful procedural dramas and introducing fresh, star-driven comedies for the 2025-2026 season. This is the definitive breakdown of the seven most critical shifts defining the new era of the Eye Network.

The Corporate Earthquake: Skydance, WBD, and the New Leadership

The most significant news surrounding CBS is less about the shows on the air and more about the company that owns it: Paramount Global. The entire corporate structure has been redefined by a major merger and a subsequent, aggressive takeover bid that will impact every asset, from the CBS Television Network to the Paramount+ streaming service.

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1. The Skydance Merger and the Rise of David Ellison

The long-rumored merger between Skydance Media and Paramount Global is a finalized deal, fundamentally changing the corporate parent of CBS. This transaction places Hollywood producer and Skydance founder David Ellison at the helm, who is set to become the Chairman and CEO of the newly structured Paramount. This move signals a strategic pivot toward integrating Skydance’s film and television production capabilities with Paramount’s vast distribution network, including the core CBS broadcast asset.

2. The Hostile Takeover Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD)

In a stunning, high-stakes move, Paramount (now a Skydance Corporation entity) announced a hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) in December 2025. The proposed deal is valued at approximately $108.4 billion, with Paramount securing significant financing to pursue the acquisition. This aggressive play would consolidate ownership of two of the largest media portfolios in the world, combining the assets of CBS, Paramount Pictures, and Paramount+ with WBD's CNN, HBO, and Discovery networks. This move, which is a major media story of late 2025, is a clear indication of the new leadership’s ambition to compete directly with giants like Netflix and Disney.

3. Executive Leadership Overhaul: The Office of the CEO

The corporate shake-up began with the departure of former Paramount Global CEO Bob Bakish. In his place, an "Office of the CEO" was initially established, comprising three key executives: George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy, and Brian Robbins. However, the Skydance deal has led to further flux, with David Ellison taking the top spot. Crucially, George Cheeks remains the President and CEO of the CBS Television Network, providing a measure of stability in the broadcast division amidst the corporate turbulence.

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The Primetime Power Play: New Shows and Major Endings

The 2025-2026 primetime schedule demonstrates CBS's commitment to its proven formula of reliable, mass-appeal programming. The network is focusing on strengthening its procedural drama blocks while injecting new life into its comedy offerings.

4. The End of a Late-Night Era: Stephen Colbert’s Exit

One of the most talked-about programming changes is the confirmed end of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The show is scheduled to conclude its run in May 2026. Colbert's departure will create a significant vacancy in the highly competitive late-night landscape, forcing CBS to develop a new strategy for the lucrative post-11:30 PM slot.

5. Doubling Down on Procedurals: The New Dick Wolf Block

CBS is set to launch a powerful new drama block on Monday nights, built around the brand of television titan Dick Wolf. This strategy will pair the long-running hit FBI (now renewed for Season 8) with a brand-new Dick Wolf drama series, CIA. This move aims to create a dedicated, high-rated procedural night, mirroring the success of Wolf’s *Law & Order* and *Chicago* franchises on other networks. Other drama renewals include the massive freshman hit Tracker and Elsbeth (Season 3).

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6. Fresh Faces in the Lineup: New Comedies and Dramas

The network is introducing several high-profile new series to its 2025-2026 slate:

• DMV: A new, offbeat single-camera comedy that won the network's pilot competition. It is based on a short story by author Katherine Heiny and will anchor a new comedy block.
• Einstein: A new drama series starring Matthew Gray Gubler, known for *Criminal Minds*. The series is being ordered to the writers' room by Emmy Award-winning executive producers Robert and Michelle King (*The Good Wife*, *Evil*).
• Boston Blue: Another new drama series joining the fall lineup, further solidifying the network's commitment to the crime and procedural genre.
• America's Culinary Cup: A new alternative cooking competition series slated for a midseason debut.

7. The Renewals That Define Stability and Streaming Synergy

Despite the cancellations of seven other shows in 2025, CBS has secured the future of its most valuable properties, ensuring stability for advertisers and viewers. Key renewals include:

• Top-Tier Dramas: FBI (Season 8), NCIS (continuing its long run), and the #1 entertainment series, Tracker.
• Comedies: The #1 comedy, Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage, and The Neighborhood.
• Reality/News: The Amazing Race (Season 38) and the venerable news magazine 60 Minutes (Season 58).

Crucially, every new and returning CBS show will continue to air live on the network and will be available to stream the next day on Paramount+. This seamless integration is the backbone of the network's modern distribution strategy, ensuring that the broadcast network remains the primary feeder for the parent company's premium streaming service.

Conclusion: The Future of the Eye Network

The CBS of late 2025 is a network defined by aggressive corporate ambition and a disciplined content strategy. The potential acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by the new Skydance-led Paramount Global is a game-changer that overshadows all other media news. On the programming front, the network is reinforcing its core strength—procedural dramas and reliable comedies—while preparing for the massive cultural shift that will follow the end of *The Late Show with Stephen Colbert*. For viewers and industry analysts alike, the coming year will be a must-watch season for the Eye Network, both on-screen and in the boardroom.