As Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End heats up movie screen, it’s the perfect time for a pirate-based reality show, isn’t it? That’s what CBS thinks, as he gets ready to premiere Pirate Master.

Mark Burnett is a producer who believes in planning ahead. Knowing that the “Survivor” season ends with the May sweep, he was prepared with a new series. So smooth was the transition from “Survivor” ...