Yellowstone Rerun Is A Ratings Hit On Network TV
Yellowstone, the popular series created by Taylor Sheridan, has taken network television by storm with its recent debut on CBS. The second episode, titled “Kill the Messenger,” drew in an impressive five million viewers when it aired on September 24, Variety reports. While it was a 24 percent decrease from its debut the previous week, the show’s performance on network television is still garnering significant attention.
Yellowstone finding a second home on CBS was a milestone moment for the series, which previously found success on cable and streaming platforms. When the show first aired on the Paramount Network in 2018, it reached approximately two million viewers. However, the move to network television has resulted in a substantial leap in viewership.
Yellowstone moving from streaming and cable to broadcast television has allowed CBS to maintain a strong lineup of scripted projects throughout the fall amid the Hollywood strikes, which delayed hallmark titles like NCIS and Young Sheldon.
For a more recent comparison, the November 2022 premiere of Season 5, which concluded in January 2023, brought in between 7.6 million and 9.5 million viewers. A key factor contributing to Yellowstone’s strong performance on CBS is its strategic scheduling. The series follows 60 Minutes, watched by 7.2 million average viewers on the same night as Yellowstone’s “Kill the Messenger.”
In terms of demographic appeal, the second episode of Yellowstone scored a 0.6 rating among adults aged between 25 and 54, which was slightly down from the 0.9 rating it achieved in its debut week. Nonetheless, the show continues to draw in a significantly large audience, solidifying its place as a valuable asset for CBS.
Yellowstone finding a second home on CBS was a milestone moment for the series, which previously found success on cable and streaming platforms.
Moreover, Episode 3 of Yellowstone, titled “No Good Horses,” aired immediately after Episode 2 and managed to retain much of its viewership. It maintained the same 0.6 rating and attracted 4.5 million viewers. CBS’s decision to import the popular Western series and other titles from Paramount has proven to be a good move.
Yellowstone moving from streaming and cable to broadcast television has allowed CBS to maintain a strong lineup of scripted projects throughout the fall amid the Hollywood strikes, which delayed hallmark titles like NCIS and Young Sheldon. While the writers’ strike has ended, discussions between SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP regarding a new deal for actors have yet to take place.
The Kevin Costner Drama
Meanwhile, there has been lots of speculation as to whether Kevin Costner would appear in the upcoming final episodes of Yellowstone. Concerns gained momentum after legal paperwork noted the actor saying, “I will earn significantly less in 2023 than I did in 2022 because I am no longer under contract for Yellowstone, the primary source of my income last year.”
In May 2023, sources close to the Yellowstone production said that Costner refused to confirm his return for the final episodes of Season 5 until he was comfortable with how his character, John Dutton, would be written off the show. As such, the last episodes have been crafted to allow for his return or non-participation.
In the absence of Costner, Paramount is redirecting its focus toward a fresh Yellowstone series. Although an official title has yet to be revealed, there are hints that it will somehow incorporate the name of the original series. Details regarding the storyline and cast are closely guarded, but earlier reports hinted at Matthew McConaughey’s involvement.
