https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/matlock-renewed-season-2-cbs-1236041530/

The Kathy Bates-led Matlock reboot premiered on Sunday, Sept. 22 to strong ratings (https://deadline.com/2024/09/matlock-series-premiere-ratings-viewership-cbs-kathy-bates-1236097371/) and CBS’ best series debut in more than five years. Yet CBS waited nearly a month, until its timeslot premiere last Thursday, to air the second episode, which also had strong viewership, paving the way for today’s renewal. “This reconceived Matlock was devised by Jennie Snyder Urman with a brilliant surprise plot twist, and we knew we had something very special the moment we saw the first episode brought to life by the incredibly talented Kathy Bates,” CBS Entertainment president Amy Reisenbach said in a statement. “The audience reception and critical acclaim for it has been overwhelming. We can’t wait to get started on a second season.”

If the first season of the 2024 version of Matlock is going to have 18 episodes, why not extend that order past 20? As somebody who is always hesitant over having to push a refake or another spinoff as the next top scripted show for a network/channel (which is exactly why I'm continuing to lose faith in CBS), I am honestly surprised by how strong its ratings and viewership is, and even more surprised by the critical acclaim it has gotten.