Did the pharmaceutical industry pressure CBS to pull a television pilot?

With the decline in network television viewership, sponsorship dollars become more important.

Showtime, the premium cable network, recently canceled a Tim Robbins pilot (via Schwitzer), a show that took a “scathing look at the pharmaceutical drug industry, focusing on a dysfunctional family behind a major drug concern.”

It was considered a shoo-in to be on the schedule, so the move came as a surprise.

Showtime’s owner is CBS, so some are wondering whether an anti-industry show hurting drug ad sales at the parent network was a factor in the decision.