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It has traditionally been the biggest launching pad for a new series that there is on network TV – the show that debuts right after The Super Bowl.
This year, CBS and CTV get the honour of introducing a brand new drama both networks believe will be a huge hit with viewers – and with a big audience already there, they’re hoping most will stay tuned to see it, despite a long night of TV.
CBS is offering “Tracker,” an hour-long procedural featuring former This Is Us star Justin Hartley as a skilled tracker who solves mysteries using his special skills. The network has been promoting it heavily for a while and this is the first chance for audiences to see it.
And what is CTV doing with all those eyeballs? Why, simulcasting “Tracker,” of course! They do have a new Canadian show called “Sight Unseen” about a vision impaired detective, but have chosen to stick with the American fare, undoubtedly so they can continue the lucrative day long simsub.
“Sight” will still get a big launch, though – it debuts Jan. 21st, after the NFL division game.
“Tracker” gets its regular timeslot Sundays at 9 on CTV, and - you guessed it – simulcast with CBS. It’s one of the most anticipated new shows of the season. Here’s what the U.S. TV Guide has to say about it.
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Here's the official trailer for the show, if you're curious whether it's something worth staying up for after a long night of football.
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It makes total sense that CTV would run Tracker after the Super Bowl along with CBS. The networks new original drama Sight Unseen is having a sneak preview right after this Sunday's NFL evening game and then running on Monday Jan 22 at 10pm, in it's regular time slot.
It wouldn't make sense to run Sight Unseen after the Super Bowl on Feb 11th since the show will have been on the air for three weeks by then. And why would CTV compete with a show after the Super Bowl that they are running anyway?
Me thinks RA is attempting to make a simsub issue where none exists....
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I just thought it would be nice to give that rare platform to one of its own Canadian-made shows, since it's brand new, expensive to produce and could use the exposure. Even if it means delaying the debut.
But that's obviously not how CTV sees it. And yes, the simsub opportunity and the money it will bring must be irresistible to Bell.
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I have a lot of issues with Bell but this is a no brainer. It’ll be promoted constantly by the announcers during the game and CBS will promote it in the weeks leading up to the game. It would make no sense to counter-program your own show, wasting the biggest audience of the year and forcing viewers to find it somewhere else on the schedule