That CBS is dedicating an hour to the series finale of sitcom “How I Met Your Mother” is not surprising.
That it is doing so in March very much is.
In an unexpected move, CBS announced Thursday that its veteran comedy will end with a one-hour broadcast on Monday, March 31. Most assumed the network would follow custom and conclude its comedy, which has aired for nine seasons, during May Sweeps.
Airing from 8-9PM, the “Mother” finale will serve as a lead-in for the premiere of new comedy “Friends with Better Lives.” Debuting at 9PM that evening, the new series will then move to its regular 8:30PM slot the following week.
Since April 7, that night, houses the annual NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship, “Friends” will be the only show to air in its regular timeslot. An encore of “The Big Bang Theory” will kick off the night at 8PM, while the basketball game will consume CBS from 9PM onward.
Beginning April 14, “2 Broke Girls” relocates to the 8PM anchor position. “Friends with Better Lives” will follow, while “Mike & Molly,” “Mom” and “Intelligence” stay put to take CBS to the end of primetime.