CBS orders more 'Flashpoint'

Canadian import starting second season

By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER

CTV's 'Flashpoint' is the first Canuck import in U.S. primetime in decades.

CBS has ordered a second season of “Flashpoint,” which scored strong summer ratings for the Eye.

“Flashpoint” has already been renewed by CTV in Canada, where the show originated. Canadian import is the first to hit American primetime in more than a decade.

CBS hasn’t yet determined whether “Flashpoint” will return as a summer series or be prepped for midseason. Net has ordered 13 more episodes of the show, which will resume production early in 2009.

The U.S. renewal comes after “Flashpoint” scored strong season-ending ratings Thursday night -- posting a 2.6 rating/7 share among adults 18-49 and 9.7 million viewers. Show averaged 7.7 million viewers this summer, making it the off-season’s top original scripted skein.

For CBS, the international co-production with CTV also made “Flashpoint” desirable from a financial standpoint.

Bill Mustos, Anne Marie La Traverse and Tess Cameron exec produce “Flashpoint,” which comes from Toronto-based Pink Sky Entertainment and Avamar Entertainment. CBS Paramount Network TV and CTV also produce, while Alchemy distributes globally.

“Flashpoint” revolves around the cops inside the Strategic Response Unit, based on Toronto’s Emergency Task Force. Enrico Colantoni, Hugh Dillon, Amy Jo Johnson, David Paetkau, Michael Cram, Sergio Di Zio, Ruth Marshall and Mark Taylor star.