CBS, television’s most-watched network, is also probably its most-bought network, with lucrative SVOD, cable and syndication deals in place for such CBS-produced shows as “Elementary,” “NCIS” and its spin-offs, “The Good Wife,” “Under the Dome” and “Extant,” CBS Entertainment Chairman Nina Tassler pointed out to reporters at summer press tour at the Beverly Hilton on Thursday.

That’s because CBS is savvy both about making international and digital deals for its shows, getting them sold in as many windows as possible to make them as profitable as possible.

“We look at our primetime schedule on a year round basis. The term midseason has been retired, and we program throughout the summer,” said Tassler. “Event series like ‘Under the Dome’ and ‘Extant’ are both supported by licensing deals with Amazon and international revenue that makes these shows profitable from the first episode. ‘Dome’ was the No. 1 show last summer, a big hit internationally, and the No. 1 show on Amazon too. Last week the premiere of ‘Extant’ was the most watched show on television and opened to record streaming levels for Amazon in the U.K. It’s a model that’s a great business for CBS and delivers more original programming for the audience.

“The growing truth is that picking winners today isn’t as simple as looking at the overnight ratings. And today’s television marketplace is rewarding programs that build big total audiences. Look no further than “NCIS.” It’s the most watched drama on television. It has nearly 19 million Facebook fans and was recently named the most watched show in the world. Our competitors may call it old skewing. We call it a billion dollar franchise.”

“The Big Bang Theory,” produced by Warner Bros., is probably the most-profitable sitcom on television – and it’s certainly the most-watched – which is why the show’s stars still haven’t signed their contracts.

Not to worry, said Tassler: “We’re feeling very confident everything will work out,” she said. “These deals work out every year.” At what cost remains the question, but rest assured the show’s stars look forward to a comfortable financial future.

Asked if the network was concerned about its 17% drop in the key adults 18-49 demographic last season, Tassler said: “We’re in a transitional phase. If we’re only going to talk about 18-49, I might as well get up and turn on my television manually.”

Other key points:

Pressed on CBS’ commitment to diversity, Tassler pointed out several shows that feature diverse stars, including Halle Berry on “Extant,” Lucy Liu on “Elementary,” Maggie Q on “Stalker” and the cast of “The Talk,” which includes Julie Chen, Sheryl Underwood and Aisha Tyler.

Meetings will be held in August to discuss Stephen Colbert’s arrival to The Late Show in 2015, as well as the transition away from Craig Ferguson at 12:30 a.m. The network isn’t even sure if 12:30 a.m. will still be a late-night interview show or whether it will be hosted by a comic or a more politically-minded host.

Tassler, a member of the TV Academy’s Board of Directors, is still “really pissed off” that The Good Wife did not get a Best Drama Series nomination this year, although CBS did get the second-highest number of Emmy nominations, behind only HBO. She’s also open-minded about whether the drama category should be looked at: “Our production schedules are so much more demanding, so much more difficult [than cable’s].”

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