There are plenty of reasons why “Yellowstone” has become a huge TV hit, ranging from Kevin Costner’s movie star charisma to the gorgeous Montana locations. But it’s likely that at least some of the appeal of the contemporary Western has to do with the freedom that comes from airing on the Paramount Network cable channel.
As anybody who’s seen a show on HBO or Showtime already knows, cable networks can include salty language, nudity and other adult content that’s a no-go on the broadcast channels, ABC, CBS, The CW, Fox, and NBC.
While “Yellowstone,” which is scheduled to end its run with a final lineup of Season 5 episodes later this year, has been a blockbuster for cable and streaming viewers, the show is finding new fans during its current run on CBS Sunday nights.
In an effort to fill programming gaps resulting from production stops necessitated by the actors’ and the (now-settled) writers’ strikes, CBS has been airing “Yellowstone” from the very first episode of the first season on Sundays.
Viewers have been responding with enthusiasm, as the broadcast airings have been rounding up strong ratings. But that raises the question: how can a broadcast network like CBS air a show that originated in the less-regulated world of cable?
Different rules apply when it comes to airing a show on the Paramount Network, or on streaming services, than when a show airs on a broadcast network like CBS. As Country Living reported, broadcast networks are generally bound by broadcast st andards that “typically address topics like drug and alcohol usage, language, sexual content, and violence. Cable TV stations do not have the same standards. In its original form, ‘Yellowstone’ certainly would not pass the broadcast standards, as it is rated TV-MA for nudity, profanity, and violence.”
The answer? Some snips here and there, cutting down on examples of adult content that wouldn’t fly on an ordinary CBS series.
“Yellowstone” is a drama about the powerful Dutton ranching family, headed by patriarch John Dutton (Costner) and including his sons, Kayce (Luke Grimes) and Jamie (Wes Bentley), and daughter, Beth (Kelly Reilly). Also adding to the drama are John’s go-to guy on his Montana ranch, Rip (Cole Hauser) and Gil Birmingham as Chief Thomas Rainwater.
All of them have had their TV-MA moments, and Beth in particular, isn’t shy about letting four-letter words fly. That means, as TV Line reported, the CBS airings of “Yellowstone” would probably need to cut back on the characters’ use of the F-word; showing more skin than broadcast series do (and we’re not talking about horses and cattle here, obviously); violence; assaults; and more.
Country Living reports that “A representative from CBS confirmed that some changes have been made to meet the CBS Broadcast Standards, but they are minor and the integrity of the original series will be preserved. That means certain words will be censored (we’re looking at you, Rip!), but CBS confirmed that they will not use automated dialogue replacement. Rather, the words will be muted. Other scenes with sexual content or violence will be edited to meet the standards.”