'CSI' showrunners renew deals

Two "CSI" franchise showrunners have renewed their deals, each signing long-term overall agreements with CBS TV Studios.

"CSI" chief Carol Mendelsohn and "CSI: Miami" leader Ann Donahue have re-upped for four more years.

"Carol and Ann are two of the best showrunners of this decade," said Nina Tassler, president, CBS Entertainment. "The ongoing success of 'CSI' and 'CSI Miami' is testimony to their incredible creative talents and leadership skills. It gives the network great confidence having them at the helm of these two important series." 

Mendelsohn's contract includes showrunning both "CSI" and the upcoming CBS legal drama "The Defenders," which will air on Wednesday nights at 10 p.m. this fall.

A four-year contract is considered a longer-than-usual agreement for a showrunner deal, but "CSI" and its spinoff are considered staples of the network's lineup. This fall, "CSI" will continue to anchor the network's Thursday night, with star Laurence Fishburne recently renewing his agreement for another season. "Miami" will shift from its Monday night perch to Sundays.

Moreover, "CSI" is sold in more than 200 territories and is considered the most popular drama series in the world, according to a Eurodata TV Worldwide survey. Both Mendelsohn and Donahue are repped by WME.

"Carol and Ann are among the elite showrunners in our business," said David Stapf, president, CBS TV Studios. "They were with 'CSI' from the beginning and each still runs their respective show with amazing creativity, precision and vision. Every studio dreams of having producers with this kind of passion and leadership on the set and in the writer’s room."