James Hibberd

With writers strike rhetoric continuing, CBS and NBC announced varying degrees of their midseason schedule Monday.

NBC: The 18th season of “Law & Order” will return with a two-hour premiere Wednesday, Jan. 2, at 9 p.m. Then, on Jan. 9, “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” will have its broadcast premiere (originals air on USA Network) at 9 p.m., with the flagship program shifting to its former well-worn time period at 10 p.m. The schedule gives NBC a two-hour block of “L&O” franchise episodes during the week, echoing “Criminal Intent” leading into “SVU” last season.

CBS: Premiere dates for several shows, including the eight-episode second season of “Jericho,” an in-season edition of “Big Brother” and new comedy “The Captain.” CBS also is airing its previously announced six-hour miniseries “Comanche Moon” Jan. 13-16 at 9 p.m.

Here are the changes:

• Mondays: Starting Jan. 28, CBS replaces “The Big Bang Theory” at 8:30 p.m. with “The Captain”—about an eclectic group living in a Hollywood apartment building. Show stars Chris Klein ("American Pie") and Jeffrey Tambor (“Arrested Development”). At 9:30 p.m., “The New Adventures of Old Christine” returns in the “Rules of Engagement” slot.
• Tuesdays: “48 Hours Mystery” will pick up for “Cane” at 10 p.m. for a couple weeks starting Jan. 22. On Feb. 12, CBS replaces “The Unit” with the premiere of “Big Brother 9” at 9 p.m. and adds “Jericho” at 10 p.m.
• Wednesdays: As of Jan. 2, game show “The Power of 10” will air in the 8 p.m. slot, picking up where “Kid Nation” left off. Another hour of “Big Brother” replaces “Power” in the time period on Feb. 13.
• Thursdays: The 16th edition of “Survivor” (and still not in high definition) launches in its usual 8 p.m. time period Feb. 7.
• Sundays: A third hour of “Big Brother” at 8 p.m. starts Feb. 17.