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Media Life

NBC Due for Major Programming Overhaul

May 8, 2015  •  Post A Comment

The NBC schedule needs work, according to a new report, and apparently the network agrees, with big changes expected for fall.

Writing for Media Life Magazine, Toni Fitzgerald reports that while the Peacock is on track to win its second consecutive season in the key 18-49 demo, those wins have been driven by sports. “Without sports, [NBC] would be behind both second-place CBS and third-place ABC,” Fitzgerald notes. The network is reportedly down 11% year-to-year in 18-49.

NBC got a bump from the Super Bowl this year, following a solid bump from the Sochi Olympics the previous season. Meanwhile, its “Sunday Night Football” — the season’s top-rated broadcast show — has accounted for much of its ratings lead.

As far as the rest of NBC’s 2014-15 slate, “The network struggled to launch strong new shows this season and made a few bold moves that backfired,” Fitzgerald writes. “For next season, NBC will need much better new show development, a plan to address ‘The Voice’s’ fading ratings, and a different strategy for Thursday night.”

The lineup has had its bright spots, including a good season for “Celebrity Apprentice” along with solid 10 p.m. performances for “Chicago Fire” and “Chicago P.D.,” the report notes. But the move of “The Blacklist” to Thursdays was a bust, Fitzgerald notes, indicating that it can be expected to return to Mondays. Meanwhile, cancellations appear to be coming for a number of first-year shows.

Also in the cards, according to the report, is a complete overhaul of Thursday night, along with a prime-time lineup that will be “heavy with new shows.” Among them will be “Heroes Reborn,” along with a revival of “Coach” and the new comedy “Telenovela.” NBC is expected to take the wraps off its fall lineup over the weekend, with details to follow in Monday’s upfront presentation.

Please click on the link near the top of this story to read Fitzgerald’s full report.

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3 Comments

  1. Just don’t touch Grimm, OK?

  2. I HAVE SAID IT BEFORE NBC NEVER NEVER COMES UP WITH ANY THING NEW ALWAYS REMAKES

  3. I don’t know how reliable this article is–but I definitely hope they move The Blacklist back to Mondays. I hate it on Thursdays: it seems out of “rhythm” on Thursday. And just as important is finding a lead-in for Blacklist, which because of it’s adult themes, violence, and occasional creepiness can’t air before 9 p.m. Another mystery drama–not a comedy–is the best choice, but with Allegiance off the air, I’m not sure what NBC has.

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