Yellowstone ‘could face violence and nudity cuts’ in CBS fall move

The Paramount Network’s contemporary Western Yellowstone could look very different when it moves to CBS this fall, it has been reported.

With the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAF-AFTRA strikes bringing film and television production to a grinding halt, Yellowstone reruns will be airing on the broadcast network as part of a major TV schedule shake-up.

The Taylor Sheridan series, originally airing on the Paramount Network and its streaming platform Paramount+, will be hitting broadcast TV now for the first time ever.

However, broadcast TV has some very different rules and regulations to the relative freedom of streamers.

For instance, foul-mouthed Beth Dutton (played by Kelly Reilly) could find her curse words curbed by the network, along with the other characters and their explicit language.

Moreover, the sex and nudity could be toned down with TV Line suggesting skin tone pixellation.

The show’s propensity for violence may also need a re-jig to make it in line with broadcast TV.

One big thing is runtimes on shows with networks having commercial breaks unlike streamers.

According to the publication, network dramas typically have episodes with a runtime of about 42 mins along with the adverts.

But with Yellows tone’s runtime differing widely between 37 mins to 92, this will be something which will have to be considered and could see editing taking place to fit its new home.

It’s unclear when the fifth and final season of Yellowstone will be airing its last block.

The first half started airing in November 2022 and wrapped up on New Year’s Day, so the show has now been off-air since January with fans left on tenterhooks.

Prior to the news season five would be the last one for Yellowstone, speculation was rife about the future of the series.

There were reports lead star and executive producer Kevin Costner would be departing with season five being his last.

Costner was said to be focusing on his Western film series Horizon, which would take him away from Yellowstone.

There were also unconfirmed reports Matthew McConaughey would be joining Yellowstone and taking it in a new direction.

The Hollywood joint strike has not only hit Yellowstone but its spin-off series 1923, starring Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren.

1923 was going to be rounding off the story with a second and final season but it’s unclear when work can be completed on the series.

Daily Express US has approached CBS for comment on this story.

Yellowstone will air on CBS this fall