NBC hopes to weather the hurricane that is “American Idol” by pumping up its reality offerings in January.
The network will go all-unscripted on Monday and much of Tuesday during the first month of 2009, according to a new schedule announced today.
“This really is about reducing the number of repeats on our schedule and maximizing the number of continuous originals,” NBC scheduling chief Mitch Metcalf told TVWeek.
Mondays will be devoted to the recently announced “Superstars of Dance” competition from “American Idol” alums Nigel Lythgoe and Simon Fuller. Following a two-hour premiere on Sunday, Jan. 4, at 9 p.m., the show will regularly air on Mondays from 8-10 p.m. starting Jan. 5.
Mr. Metcalf said the temporary absence of “Dancing With the Stars” on Mondays gives NBC an opportunity to compete for its audience with “Superstars.”
“We have a great property from Nigel that will play very nicely in that time period with them off of the dance floor,” he said.
“Superstars” will lead in to new reality show “Momma’s Boys,” which will air Mondays at 10 starting in December.
“Heroes” and “Chucks” will return in February. Industry insiders expect NBC to slot “Medium” Mondays at 10 beginning Feb. 2, but NBC isn’t commenting.
On Tuesdays, NBC will feature two hours of “The Biggest Loser: Couples” from 8-10 p.m., with “Law & Order: SVU” remaining in its 10 p.m. slot.
On Wednesdays, “Law & Order: SVU” repeats temporarily replace “Life.” The latter show is set to return in February, the network said.
Thursdays remain unchanged, but on Fridays, NBC will finally unveil its long-gestating Howie Mandel hidden-camera show. “Howie Do It?” airs Fridays at 8 starting Jan. 9.
“Friday Night Lights” returns to the NBC lineup Friday, Jan. 16. It will air at 9 p.m., replacing “Lipstick Jungle,” which has its final broadcast Jan. 9.
NBC is planning “Saturday Night Live” specials on Jan. 4 and Jan. 18 to help fill the gap left by football. And “Dateline NBC” will air an inauguration special on Jan. 20 at 10 p.m.
A previously announced miniseries, “The Last Templar,” will air Jan. 25-26 from 9-11 p.m.
Mr. Metcalf said NBC will announce the rest of its first-quarter lineup as early as next week. In addition to “Medium,” look for the return of “The Celebrity Apprentice” and “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” as well as the premiere of “Kings.”
NBC plans to use its Feb. 1 broadcast of the Super Bowl to promote its new offerings, as well as the return of “Heroes” and “Chuck.” A special 3-D episode of “Chuck” is slated to air Feb. 2, the night after the Super Bowl.
“We look at the Super Bowl as an amazing opportunity to not only to launch some quality shows that play into what we think of as the NBC brand, but also to reset and relaunch our core schedule,” Mr. Metcalf said.
He wouldn’t say what NBC plans to air after the big game; in May, the network said it would air “The Office” in the slot.
NBC’s full January schedule follows:
Mondays (beginning Jan. 5)
8-10 p.m.: “Superstars of Dance”; premieres Sunday, Jan. 4 (9-11 p.m.); season finale
Monday, Jan. 26 (8-9 p.m.)
10-11 p.m.: “Momma’s Boys”
(“Chuck” and “Heroes” return in February)
Tuesdays (beginning Jan. 6)
8-10 p.m.: “The Biggest Loser: Couples”
10-11 p.m.: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”
Tuesday (Jan. 20)
10-11 p.m.: “Dateline NBC”: Presidential Inauguration Special (10-11 p.m.)
Wednesdays (beginning Jan. 7)
8-9 p.m.: “Knight Rider”
9-10 p.m.: “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” encores (“Life” returns in February)
10-11 p.m.: “Law & Order”
Thursdays (beginning Jan. 8)
8-8:30 p.m.: “My Name Is Earl”
8:30-9 p.m.: “Kath & Kim”
9:00-9:31 p.m.: “The Office”
9:31-10 p.m.: “30 Rock”
10-11 p.m.: “ER”
Fridays
8-9 p.m.: “Howie Do It” (series premiere Jan. 9)
9-10 p.m.: “Friday Night Lights” (beginning Jan. 16)
10-11 p.m.: “Dateline NBC” (beginning Dec. 5)
Saturdays (beginning Jan. 10)
8-11 p.m.: “Law & Order” and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” encores
Sundays (Jan. 4)
7-9 p.m.: “Saturday Night Live Sports Extra”
9-11 p.m.: “Superstars of Dance” (premiere)
Sundays (Event Specials)
8-11 p.m.: “The Golden Globe Awards” (Jan. 11)
9-11 p.m.: “Saturday Night Live Film Festival” (Jan. 18)
9-11 p.m.: The Last Templar” (Jan. 25 and Monday, Jan. 26)
6:15-10 p.m.: Super Bowl XLIII (Feb. 1)
(2:45 p.m.: Updated throughout)