Obviously NBC needs help, so that it can compete with CBS and ABC. So my question is; if you were in charge, how would you help them get back on the incline?
I will start off with the simplest of all questions: out of the the current NBC programs which would you keep and build around?
My choices:
- Heroes - Chuck - The Office - Law and Order (it's getting old, but it's one of the few successes NBC has) - Medium
That's about it from my end, all of the rest of the shows would have to be put down.
Thoughts?
I'm sure if there was peacock walking around, it wouldn't enjoy you calling it "NBC".
Posts: 12 | Location: California | Registered: 29 November 2007
The list of NBC shows to build around has to have Law&Order SVU.
The list of NBC shows to build around has to include Deal or No Deal. Ratings will drop next year with the daytime version starting, but NBC still desperately needs that show. They also need Dateline NBC and Biggest Loser for some sort of cheap space filler. NBC can't go into next year with all new programming.
Meanwhile, I don't think that Medium can be put on the list of 'needed' shows since it is weak, at best.
The biggest issue for NBC is to get their comedy offering back to mainstream. They need to stop producing niche comedy shows that most of America is repulsed by. They need the next Friends, Cheers, Seinfeld, not more 'edgy garbage' like 30 Rock. Even Earl and Office are mostly niche shows that will never widen to that 15-20million mark that I believe a mass hit comedy is still capable of reaching.
The next biggest issue for NBC is just how much new product can they develop? There is no reason to get rid of shows like ER, Life, Las Vegas, or Law&Order if they can't come up with a reasonable number of QUALITY shows to replace them. NBC already has holes in next Fall's schedule where Journeyman, Bionic Woman, Scrubs, 30 Rock, and Friday Night Lights aired. Medium, Lipstick Jungle, and even original Law&Order are also potential holes (NBC will find out over the next couple of months). NBC has a lot of space that needs filling, but it won't do any good to clear out the old shows if they don't have anything better/equal to replace those old shows with. So, NBC needs to be aggressive with development and grab up as much new product as they can, then renew some of their old shows as mid-season replacements (bet hedging) while they find out how much of that'new product' will attract viewers. Medium and Law&Order were old shows renewed to 'hedge bets' this season and NBC needs to follow/expand that renewal model for next year.
Keepers to build around: - Heroes - Chuck - DOnD - 1 v 100 - The Office - Earl - L&O (at least 1 flavor, perhaps 2)
They seem to do well with game shows, so I would try to develop at least 1 new game show, maybe even 2, then depending on the pilot season, you could have a game show at 8 pm every night (even Saturdays)
I would drop the 1.5 hours of Football pregame in the fall and just go with a 1/2 hour intro. With most 4pm games running well into the 7 pm hour, who is going to be switching from a game to a pre game, other than those markets without a 4pm game. I would then think about a show in the middle of the week to preview the coming week Fast pace and up beat along with Fantasy Football information.
They need to really push the comedy format. Its what made them a powerhouse in the 80's & 90's. And make the sitcoms more general audience formats.
One think that would help is trash the Dateline title. Come with a fresh new News show, but for ONLY 1 night a week. Give it a brand and feel that is consistant so the viewers know what type of program and information to expect week to week. 60 Minutes rules this format because viewers know exactly what they are getting each week.
Originally posted by Obveeus: The list of NBC shows to build around has to have Law&Order SVU.
The list of NBC shows to build around has to include Deal or No Deal. Ratings will drop next year with the daytime version starting, but NBC still desperately needs that show. They also need Dateline NBC and Biggest Loser for some sort of cheap space filler. NBC can't go into next year with all new programming.
Meanwhile, I don't think that Medium can be put on the list of 'needed' shows since it is weak, at best.
The biggest issue for NBC is to get their comedy offering back to mainstream. They need to stop producing niche comedy shows that most of America is repulsed by. They need the next Friends, Cheers, Seinfeld, not more 'edgy garbage' like 30 Rock. Even Earl and Office are mostly niche shows that will never widen to that 15-20million mark that I believe a mass hit comedy is still capable of reaching.
The next biggest issue for NBC is just how much new product can they develop? There is no reason to get rid of shows like ER, Life, Las Vegas, or Law&Order if they can't come up with a reasonable number of QUALITY shows to replace them. NBC already has holes in next Fall's schedule where Journeyman, Bionic Woman, Scrubs, 30 Rock, and Friday Night Lights aired. Medium, Lipstick Jungle, and even original Law&Order are also potential holes (NBC will find out over the next couple of months). NBC has a lot of space that needs filling, but it won't do any good to clear out the old shows if they don't have anything better/equal to replace those old shows with. So, NBC needs to be aggressive with development and grab up as much new product as they can, then renew some of their old shows as mid-season replacements (bet hedging) while they find out how much of that'new product' will attract viewers. Medium and Law&Order were old shows renewed to 'hedge bets' this season and NBC needs to follow/expand that renewal model for next year.
I personally dont feel 30 Rock is going anywhere. It's a pedigree show for the peacock with an outstanding cast and critical acclaim and if i'm not mistaken, the ratings are up versus last year. It's also owned by NBC and a great showcase for the network. It's a shame that more people havent caught onto this show as it is one of the few laugh out loud shows on tv.
pisherafferty-free since 2008
Posts: 414 | Location: Los Angeles, CA | Registered: 01 December 2006
Shows bound to return: Chuck Heroes Biggest Loser SVU Dateline (although it being off the January schedule makes me wonder if NBC is going to put out a new newsmagazine that's actually a newsmagazine and not just Predator catching) The Office Earl 30 Rock DOND 1 vs. 100 (although again I think it would get canned if NBC had anything else) Law and Order (Wolf will keep this going) Criminal Intent (as long as the USA deal and NBC repeats remains profitable this spring) Medium (as long as ratings don't decline more)
Needs to retire: Las Vegas ER- this may return simply because they have nothing else but lets face it- a 3.0 in the demo for a show that was a demo hog in its hay day means its time to go. I would like to see a nice wrap up for it. Friday Night Lights- again may make it due to the fact that its relatively cheap and does well in online viewings and the new media outlets as well as DVRs. Scrubs- which is already cancelled
Originally posted by mushu_jj: Dateline (although it being off the January schedule makes me wonder if NBC is going to put out a new newsmagazine that's actually a newsmagazine and not just Predator catching)
I'm answering this as if there were going to be a regular pilot season, because it's too hard to do it any other way.
Monday: DOND, Heroes, New Drama Must keep trying to launch things with your biggest 9pm lead-in. Finally sub in Medium if you fail yet again. Try to recapture DOND strength at 8pm.
Tuesday: Biggest Loser, New Reality, SVU The new reality is basically a cheap placeholder, as it's tough to try to avoid both the House audience and the Dancing audience. If /when it tanks, I guess you can do the 2-hr Biggest Loser thing again.
Wednesday: DOND, Chuck, Life (13 ep order) Same idea as NBC had this year (which exceeded expectations early until everyone realized BW was awful), except with a more proven entity at 9pm. No Phenomenon-type shenanigans at 8pm. Be ready to sub in L&O if Life tanks. (Chuck may be up against the CW Josh Schwartz show in this slot, which could be problematic, but we'll wait and see... but I like it as counterprogramming against CM and PP)
Thursday: New Multicam Comedy, New Multicam Comedy, Office, Earl, New Drama (maybe Lipstick) Try to get back in the traditional sitcom biz at 8pm Thurs with two newbies. A third will be on the bench in case one does well and the other does awful. If the multicams all bomb AND Apprentice does well this spring, I'm open to Earl/Office/Apprentice.
Friday: 1 vs. 100, New Drama, L&O If WMC gets canned at ABC, make this new drama a fairly stock procedural. Much as I like L&O, I think it should be on Fridays unless it catches fire again on Wednesday this spring.
Bench: 13 eps of 30 Rock, a new Singlecam to possibly pair with it in late-season, a new Multicam, Medium, a new Drama, Dateline, reality (Apprentice? Gladiators? New game show?)
If L&O does better than expected on Wednesday this year, it can have Wed 10pm and move Life to Friday, but I think NBC would be worried about overlap with the quirky detective stuff on USA.
If L&O and Medium both tank this spring, kill one of them and bring back ER instead, probably in its regular time slot. But only if both those things happen. Of the four mediocre aging shows (ER, L&O, Medium, Vegas) I want to keep just two. Vegas is done IMO. The others are wait and see.
Plan for Midseason Sunday is Dateline, two hours of reality, and New Drama (or one hour of reality, New Drama, Medium if the Mon 10pm show holds). Subject to change. L&O:CI reruns are another option here if it returns to USA.
Originally posted by mushu_jj: Dateline (although it being off the January schedule makes me wonder if NBC is going to put out a new newsmagazine that's actually a newsmagazine and not just Predator catching)
Did NBC put out a Saturday/Sunday schedule?
I think Saturday is repeats. I know Chuck is airing there in the coming weeks.
Not a half bad schedule, but I bet we end up with more Friday Night Lights due to a short development season and probably 30 Rock and some other terrible single camera sitcom on the fall schedule.
quote:
Originally posted by spotupj: I'm answering this as if there were going to be a regular pilot season, because it's too hard to do it any other way.
Monday: DOND, Heroes, New Drama Must keep trying to launch things with your biggest 9pm lead-in. Finally sub in Medium if you fail yet again. Try to recapture DOND strength at 8pm.
Tuesday: Biggest Loser, New Reality, SVU The new reality is basically a cheap placeholder, as it's tough to try to avoid both the House audience and the Dancing audience. If /when it tanks, I guess you can do the 2-hr Biggest Loser thing again.
Wednesday: DOND, Chuck, Life (13 ep order) Same idea as NBC had this year (which exceeded expectations early until everyone realized BW was awful), except with a more proven entity at 9pm. No Phenomenon-type shenanigans at 8pm. Be ready to sub in L&O if Life tanks. (Chuck may be up against the CW Josh Schwartz show in this slot, which could be problematic, but we'll wait and see... but I like it as counterprogramming against CM and PP)
Thursday: New Multicam Comedy, New Multicam Comedy, Office, Earl, New Drama (maybe Lipstick) Try to get back in the traditional sitcom biz at 8pm Thurs with two newbies. A third will be on the bench in case one does well and the other does awful. If the multicams all bomb AND Apprentice does well this spring, I'm open to Earl/Office/Apprentice.
Friday: 1 vs. 100, New Drama, L&O If WMC gets canned at ABC, make this new drama a fairly stock procedural. Much as I like L&O, I think it should be on Fridays unless it catches fire again on Wednesday this spring.
Bench: 13 eps of 30 Rock, a new Singlecam to possibly pair with it in late-season, a new Multicam, Medium, a new Drama, Dateline, reality (Apprentice? Gladiators? New game show?)
If L&O does better than expected on Wednesday this year, it can have Wed 10pm and move Life to Friday, but I think NBC would be worried about overlap with the quirky detective stuff on USA.
If L&O and Medium both tank this spring, kill one of them and bring back ER instead, probably in its regular time slot. But only if both those things happen. Of the four mediocre aging shows (ER, L&O, Medium, Vegas) I want to keep just two. Vegas is done IMO. The others are wait and see.
Plan for Midseason Sunday is Dateline, two hours of reality, and New Drama (or one hour of reality, New Drama, Medium if the Mon 10pm show holds). Subject to change. L&O:CI reruns are another option here if it returns to USA.
Originally posted by mushu_jj: Not a half bad schedule, but I bet we end up with more Friday Night Lights due to a short development season and probably 30 Rock and some other terrible single camera sitcom on the fall schedule.
Yeah, I just wanted to act like there was going to be regular development because they can't realistically "turn it around" if they can't make new shows. FNL may be gone regardless, though, because there hasn't been as much good buzz this season. I think they'll bring back Vegas over FNL, actually. But I do think 30 Rock is basically a lock to come back if development is short. It would be on the bubble in a normal situation.
Originally posted by mushu_jj: Not a half bad schedule, but I bet we end up with more Friday Night Lights due to a short development season and probably 30 Rock and some other terrible single camera sitcom on the fall schedule.
Yeah, I just wanted to act like there was going to be regular development because they can't realistically "turn it around" if they can't make new shows. FNL may be gone regardless, though, because there hasn't been as much good buzz this season. I think they'll bring back Vegas over FNL, actually. But I do think 30 Rock is basically a lock to come back if development is short. It would be on the bubble in a normal situation.
I don't know. NBC is cheap and Vegas is more than likely more expensive than FNL. I know last year they made money on FNL so its really really cheap and Fridays really don't matter.
Based on what spotupj had to say, here's how I think it should play out, based on what they'll actually have. Just to note, I think Medium will rebound some from last year and I think Law and Order will also rebound some, giving them the renewals over ER and Las Vegas. I think the cheap factor of FNL gets it a renewal for 13 for midseason.
Mondays: new drama Heroes Medium
The Heroes pre-tune in has been more effective than lead out so utilize that.
Tuesdays: The Biggest Loser/ additional airings of 1 vs. 100 or DOND in January. Lipstick Jungle/female skewing drama to counter older skewing the Unit and Dancing with the Stars. House is a monster but I see that as a more male drama. SVU
Wednesdays: Chuck DOND Law and Order
Thursday: new multicamera comedy new mulitcamera comedy The Office Earl Lipstick Jungle/new drama
I like the idea of using old school comedies to lead off the night. They may have to split them up though and use Earl earlier in the night just to stabilize things at first.
Fridays: The Singing Bee 1 vs. 100 Life
I think the Singing Bee would work well as a lead off show here and then use 1 vs. 100 as counter programming to the other 2 9pm dramas. Life proved this week it can utilize a lead in that effective.
Saturdays: Dateline (2 hours) encores of new dramas
Sundays: Football (fall) January: Dateline FNL Gameshow additional airings The Apprentice
Have 30 Rock available at midseason and possibly air Sundays at 8 or 9 with another comedy. Also have repeats of CI available.
Looks pretty good, and may be more realistic in this development year. Apprentice really struggled at 10 and I generally favor keeping unscripted stuff out of the 10:00 hour, but chances are it would've fallen wherever it was.
Not sure if Singing Bee is viable in the regular season, but I do like that you only have one Deal airing. NBC got some flak for only putting it on Friday for much of the fall, but I always thought that was to try to rest it in case they had to show it a lot during strike time. And with it showing up in daytime, it may be even more dangerous to overexpose it.
Another option is Clash of the Choirs, depending on what happens in a couple weeks. The question is whether it'll be a Deal or No Deal or an Identity.
