Judge Judy's 'Hot Bench' Renewed for Season 2

All rise: Judge Judy’s syndicated court program “Hot Bench” has been renewed for a second season and is being upgraded in seven markets starting in March.

The markets upgrading “Hot Bench” — beginning on Monday, March 30, 2015, through the 2015-2016 season — are the following CBS-owned affiliates: WCBS, New York at 9 a.m. (No. 1); KCBS, Los Angeles at 2 p.m. (No. 2); WBBM, Chicago at 2 p.m. (No. 3); KTVT, Dallas at 2 p.m. (No. 5); WBZ, Boston at 9 a.m. (No. 7); WFOR, Miami at 9 a.m. (No. 16); and KCNC, Denver at 3 p.m. (No. 17).

Also read: Golden Globes 2015: The Nominees (Photos)

“Hot Bench” is executive produced by Randy Douthit, who currently serves as executive producer and director of “Judge Judy,” and Maureen FitzPatrick. The half-hour strip is produced by CBS Television Distribution and Queen Bee Productions. It is distributed by CBS Television Distribution.

The program features a panel of three judges — Patricia DiMango, Tanya Acker and Larry Bakman — hearing court cases, arguing the merits of the case amongst themselves and coming to a verdict.

Also read: Joan Rivers Was Developing 'Judge Judy'-Type TV Show With Andy Cohen Before Her Death

The show has been a success on the Nielsen sheets, the renewal announcement’s press release boasted. “Hot Bench” is the top new first-run syndicated strip of the season, averaging a 1.5 HH rating and 2 million viewers, according to Live + Same Day ratings, season to date.

“I’m gratified that viewers have embraced ‘Hot Bench,'” Creator Judge Judge Sheindlin said on Thursday. “I came up with the idea on a trip to Ireland last year with my husband and we observed a three-judge bench and found the process fascinating. I’m glad the viewers agree!”

37 Biggest Snubs and Surprises: Golden Globes 2015 (Photos)

SNUB: Perennial Golden Globe favorite Angelina Jolie was left off the list of Best Director nominees for her work on Universal's "Unbroken."
Getty Images
SNUB: HFPA made room for Steve Carell and Mark Ruffalo on their list of nominees but failed to include "Foxcatcher" star Channing Tatum.
Sony Pictures Classics
SURPRISE: This is Joaquin Phoenix's third straight year with a Golden Globe nod and fifth nomination overall. His role in "Inherent Vice" hasn't received nearly as much buzz as his competitors.
Warner Bros.
SNUB: Even though she's hosting the show this year, Amy Poehler failed to pick up a Best Actress in Comedy nomination for her work on "Parks and Recreation."
NBC
SNUB: As was the case with SAG voters, Kerry Washington and "Scandal" were replaced by Shonda Rhimes' newest TV superstar, Viola Davis on "How to Get Away With Murder."
ABC
SNUB: One year after winning a Best Actor in a Comedy Golden Globe, Andy Samberg was shut out completely for his role on "Brooklyn Nine-Nine."
Fox
SNUB: "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," which won the Golden Globe for best TV comedy last year, failed to pick up any nominations.
Fox
SNUB: Oscar Isaac locked up a Globe nom last year for "Inside Llewyn Davis" but came up empty-handed Thursday morning for his performance in "A Most Violent Year." Co-star Jessica Chastain, however, did score a nod after being snubbed by SAG.
A24
SURPRISE: Jake Gyllenhaal earned his second major nom in as many days with a nod for his role in "Nightcrawler."
Open Road Films
SNUB: "Unbroken" was shut out completely by the HFPA, failing to pick up a single nomination Thursday morning.
Universal
SURPRISE: "Jane the Virgin" star Gina Rodriguez landed herself a nomination for Best Actress in a TV Series Comedy. The CW show just premiered in October.
The CW
SURPRISE: "Jane the Virgin" also scored a nomination for Best Television Series - Comedy or Musical, which brings The CW into the awards race.
The CW
SNUB: "American Sniper" received zero love from the HFPA. Star Bradley Cooper failed to pick up a nod for Best Actor in a Drama while director Clint Eastwood was also forgotten.
Warner Bros./Getty Images
SURPRISE: Christoph Waltz has cleaned up at the Golden Globes before, winning Best Supporting for "Inglourious Basterds" and "Django Unchained." Will his nomination for "Big Eyes" make him 3 for 3?
The Weinstein Company
SNUB: He's taken home the Golden Globe for his role in "Game of Thrones" before but was left off the list of nominees this year.
HBO
SNUB: Heading into the series' home stretch, "Mad Men" was noticeably left off the list of Golden Globe nominees. The AMC series didn't score a single nomination.
AMC
SNUB: Monster-hit "The Walking Dead" didn't pick up any nominations on Thursday, despite its ratings success.
AMC
SNUB: Jim Parsons was left off the Golden Globes nominees list for the first time since 2012. "The Big Bang Theory" star took home the award in 2011.
CBS
SNUB: "The Big Bang Theory" itself also got shut out of any Golden Globe nominations this year.
CBS
SURPRISE: British comedy "Pride" landed a Golden Globe nomination on Thursday for Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical.
BBC Films
SNUB: Louis C.K.'s cable hit "Louie" was left off the nominees for Best Television Series - Comedy or Musical.
FX
SURPRISE: Showtime's freshman drama "The Affair" picked up a nomination for Best Television Series - Drama. Stars Dominic West and Ruth Wilson also earned individual nominations.
Showtime
SURPRISE: After failing to secure an Emmy nomination earlier this year, Michelle Monaghan picked up a supporting actress nomination for her role on "True Detective."
HBO
SNUB: "Brooklyn Nine-Nine's" Andre Braugher was snubbed by the Golden Globes, despite picking up an Emmy nomination earlier this year.
FOX
SNUB: "Modern Family" was left off of the Best Television Series list for the first time since the ABC sitcom premiered.
ABC
SURPRISE: Frances O’Connor scored a nomination for "The Missing." The Starz/BBC One series also landed a nod for Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television.
Starz
SNUB: Just one day after receiving a SAG Award nomination, "Orphan Black's" Tatiana Maslany was snubbed by the HFPA.
BBC America
SURPRISE: 11-year-old Quvenzhané Wallis earned a Golden Globe nomination for "Annie."
Getty Images
SURPRISE: Wes Anderson got a Best Director nod for "The Grand Budapest Hotel."
Getty Images
SNUB: The HBO drama had its series finale in 2014 but went unrecognized by the Golden Globes.
HBO
SNUB: Cicely Tyson scored an Emmy nomination for her performance in Lifetime's "The Trip to Bountiful" but failed to pick up a Globe nomination.
Lifetime
SURPRISE: Jeffrey Tambor earned his first Golden Globe nomination of his career, playing a transgender woman in Amazon's "Transparent."
Amazon Studios
SURPRISE: "Transparent" also picked up a nod for Best Television Series - Comedy or Musical.
Amazon Studios
SNUB: Once again, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association failed to recognize FX drama "The Americans."
FX