Stephen King and Steven Spielberg's adaptation of "Under the Dome" will premiere on CBS at 10 p.m. on Monday, June 24, the network announced Saturday.
At the network's presentation for reporters at the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour, CBS Entertainment President Nina Tassler expressed enthusiasm for the concept, hoping that it will become a "big summer event" for the number one broadcast network.
"The script was developed at Showtime, the option lapsed … I read it over [a] weekend and I loved it, I love these big idea shows," Tassler said. "What we heard was this extraordinary vision for 13 episodes and beyond, we have a unique opportunity here to do a big summer event and to do a script to series. [During the] summer, you have to make some noise, and we really wanted to this summer. We've got a lot of fresh, great content."
"Under the Dome" is the story of a small town that is suddenly and inexplicably sealed off from the rest of the world by an enormous transparent dome. The town’s inhabitants must deal with surviving the post-apocalyptic conditions while searching for answers to what this barrier is, where it came from and if and when it will go away.
The network also announced premiere dates for "Unforgettable" Season 2 (Sunday, July 28 at 9 p.m. EST), an expanded season of "Big Brother" (Sundays at 8 p.m. EST beginning June 30, Tuesdays at 9 p.m. beginning July 2, Wednesdays at 9 p.m. beginning July 3) and a reality competition based on "The Great British Bake Off" (premiering Wednesday, May 29 at 8 p.m. EST).
Here's a breakdown of CBS' complete summer schedule:
Wednesdays, Effective May 29
8:00-9:00 PM UNTITLED BAKING SERIES (Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM CRIMINAL MINDS
10:00-11:00 PM CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION
Mondays, Effective June 24
8:00-8:30 PM HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
8:30-9:00 PM RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
9:00-9:30 PM 2 BROKE GIRLS
9:30-10:00 PM MIKE & MOLLY
10:00-11:00 PM UNDER THE DOME (Premiere)
Wednesdays, Effective June 26
8:00-9:00 PM UNTITLED BAKING SERIES
9:00-10:00 PM BIG BROTHER (Season Premiere)
10:00-11:00 PM CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION
Sundays, Effective June 30
7:00-8:00 PM 60 MINUTES
8:00-9:00 PM BIG BROTHER (Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM THE GOOD WIFE
10:00-11:00 PM THE MENTALIST
Tuesdays, Effective July 2
8:00-9:00 PM NCIS
9:00-10:00 PM BIG BROTHER (Premiere)
10:00-11:00 PM NCIS: LOS ANGELES
Wednesdays, Effective July 17
8:00-9:00 PM BIG BROTHER (New Time Period)
9:00-10:00 PM CRIMINAL MINDS
10:00-11:00 PM CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION
CBS Sunday, Effective July 28
7:00-8:00 PM 60 MINUTES
8:00-9:00 PM BIG BROTHER
9:00-10:00 PM UNFORGETTABLE (Premiere)
10:00-11:00 PM THE MENTALIST
Are you excited for "Under the Dome"?