CBS shuffle: “Sydney,” “Squares,” “Watson,” more

During a long winter break, CBS will mess with success.
The network tends to dominate the Nielsen ratings. Still, it will shuffle some of its best nights, temporarily (Thursdays, Wednesdays) or longer (Sundays, Fridays).
In the process, it will return one drama (“NCIS: Sydney,” shown here) and debut another (“Watson,” with Morris Chestnut as Dr. Watson, setting up a medical clinic in Pittsburgh after Sherlock Holmes’ death). It will also add lots of game shows
The key changes are:
— “The Equalizer,” once a steady hit at 8 p.m. Sundays, will slide to 10. It will be pre-empted often – by the Golden Globes on Jan. 5 and the Grammys on Feb. 2 and by a combination of football and the “Watson” debut on Jan. 26. Beginning Feb. 16, “Equalizer” goes to 10, after “Tracker” and “Watson.”
— With “Blue Bloods” ending its 14-year run, “NCIS: Sydney” gets a spot. Originally an eight-episode, strike-time fill-in, it will get the 8 p.m. Friday spot, starting Jan. 31. “SWAT” moves back to 10, with “Fire Country” staying at 9..
— Thursdays have been a big hit, but for three weeks they’ll be in disarray. Starting on Jan. 9, it will be a new edition of “Hollywood Squares” (with Drew Barrymore in the center square) at 8 p.m., reruns of “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage” and “Ghosts” at 9 and 9:30 and drama reruns at 10. On Jan. 30, “Matlock” and “Elsbeth” return at 9 and 10 p.m., with the comedies back to 8 and 8:30.
— Wednesdays will be mostly games, waiting for new editions of “Survivor” (Feb. 26) and “The Amazing Race” (March 5). Beginning Jan. 8, it will be “The Price is Right” at 8 p.m. and “Raid the Cage” at 9. Drama reruns will take the 10 p.m. spot until Jan. 29, when “Hollywood Squares” moves there.