CBS sticks to tradition for premiere week

By James Hibberd

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Tradition-embracing CBS will debut nearly all of its new and returning series during the usual September premiere week.

Shows such as "Big Bang Theory" (September 21), "NCIS: Los Angeles" (September 22) and "The Mentalist" (September 24) will debut during the same week most fall shows get underway.

The CBS fall premiere dates announced Wednesday also include the debut "Survivor" going September 17, starting one week early, which has also become a tradition of sorts for the network. Medical drama "Three Rivers" will also debut outside premiere week, opening October 4, to make room for a two-hour debut for "The Amazing Race" on September 27.

CBS's 2009-2010 premiere dates:

THURSDAY, SEPT. 17

8:00-9:00 pm "Survivor: Samoa" (19th edition premiere)

MONDAY, SEPT. 21

8:00-8:30 pm "How I Met Your Mother" (5th season premiere)