The NCAA’s 2026 March Madness tournament is upon us, and CBS’ scripted schedule will be looking a little bit different as basketball takes over the network for the rest of the month.
Games for the annual men’s college basketball event begin Tuesday, March 17, but it’s not until the first round kicks off on Thursday, March 19, that CBS’ primetime lineup will start to look a little different.
Videos by PopCulture.com
While CBS’ Tuesday and Wednesday schedules will not be impacted by the tournament, which is also airing across TBS, TNT, truTV, HBO Max and Paramount+, the eye network’s Thursday and Friday primetime hours will be shifted for the rest of the month.
Read on to see which CBS shows will be impacted by the 2026 March Madness tournament and see when they’ll return to their regular timeslot.
1. Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage
Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage will not air on Thursday, March 19, or Thursday, March 26, but will return to its usual schedule on Thursday, April 2.
2. Ghosts
Ghosts will also be taking a break on Thursday, March 19, and Thursday, March 26, but will return with a new episode at the usual time on Thursday, April 2.
3. Matlock
The Kathy Bates-led Matlock revival is another show to take off Thursday, March 19, and Thursday, March 26, but it will return to its regular schedule on Thursday, April 2.
4. Elsbeth
Elsbeth is the final CBS Thursday primetime show to have its schedule thrown off by March Madness. The show will not air on Thursday, March 19, and Thursday, March 26, but will return at its usual time on Thursday, April 2.
5. Sheriff Country
Sheriff Country is taking a break as well, going on hiatus for Friday, March 20, and Friday, March 27, before returning on Friday, April 3.
6. Fire Country
Fire Country will also not air on Friday, March 20, and Friday, March 27, but will return with a new episode on Friday, April 3.
7. Boston Blue
Boston Blue is the final CBS scripted show to be impacted by the tournament, also taking off Friday, March 20, and Friday, March 27, before coming back the following week on Friday, April 3.
Most Viewed
-
Sigourney Weaver and Pedro Pascal at the 98th Annual Oscars held at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Rich Polk/Penske Media via Getty Images) -
Colorful retro TV set. Flat design style. -
US singer Barbra Streisand speaks during an in memoriam segment onstage during the 98th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 15, 2026. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)
