BLT
04-23-2003, 09:59 AM
NBC Looks Ahead to Fall
Marc Berman
APRIL 21, 2003 -
NBC is planning to introduce as many as four new sitcoms next season as the network makes comedy its top priority, according to NBC Entertainment president Jeff Zucker. Comedy pilots featuring Heather Locklear, Whoopi Goldberg, Tom Selleck and John Larroquette are all vying for spots on the net's fall schedule, Zucker said in an interview last week.
Although the Law & Order threesome, ER, The West Wing, Third Watch, Crossing Jordan and the probable returns of Ed and American Dreams limit NBC's need for new dramas, two new scripted hours are also likely to make the schedule, giving the network a likely total of six new shows this fall.
"Our goal is to continue to dominate among adults 18-49 using quality scripted programming," Zucker said. "It's really the comedy side that is our focus next season."
Heading into the current season, NBC had strong momentum. Boosted by the Winter Olympics, the network finished 2001-02 first in households, total viewers and adults 18-49. With fewer programming changes last fall than any other network (four nights were unchanged), only five new series (versus seven each for ABC, CBS and Fox) and a stable of upscale returning shows, NBC was the network to beat this season.
"With Thursday at the core and the Law & Order franchise, there was every reason to believe NBC would remain competitive," said Shari Anne Brill, vp/director of programming at Carat USA. "But because they sacrificed planning for the future in favor of stability, they put themselves in a vulnerable spot this season."
With five weeks left in the season, NBC's ratings among adults 18-49 are down on six nights of the week; total viewership is off by 14 percent; veteran series Frasier and The West Wing have sprung ratings leaks; CBS' Without a Trace has narrowed the gap opposite ER; and the network's leadership in the coveted 18-49 demo (six of the past seven seasons) is at stake. NBC's 18-49 advantage over Fox at this point last season -- 1.2 rating points -- has shrunk to just 0.3 this season, thanks largely to the success of Fox reality hits American Idol and Joe Millionaire.
"In this very strange year dominated by reality, Michael Jackson and the war, I think we performed very well," Zucker said. "Last year we won significantly because of the Olympics, but two seasons ago, we beat Fox [in 18-49 ratings] by four-tenths of a rating point. If you take Joe Millionaire out of Fox's ratings, we would beat them by that same margin this season."
Still, Zucker conceded that NBC needs to shake things up a bit. "Although stability is important, I think it's fair to say we will be more aggressive next season," he said.
While he would not confirm any scheduling moves, Zucker offered these scenarios for next season:
On Monday, NBC's sole night of year-to-year 18-49 ratings growth, Fear Factor, Third Watch and Crossing Jordan may remain intact. "Crossing Jordan really held its own opposite some tough competition this year," Zucker said.
Tuesday is a key night for NBC next year. With Frasier down; Just Shoot Me, In-Laws and Hidden Hills out; and 9:30 p.m. tryouts A.U.S.A. and Watching Ellie on the fence, another season of new sitcoms surrounding Frasier is likely. On Wednesday, despite surprising erosion for The West Wing (18-49 ratings are off 28 percent), expect the political drama to remain at 9 followed by Law & Order, with Dateline back at 8.
On Thursday, NBC might slot one of the four new sitcoms at 9:30, following Will & Grace, Zucker said. As for current occupant Good Morning, Miami, "it wasn't ready creatively when it began," resulting in some negative reviews that put the show at a disadvantage.
With encouraging ratings for Ed in its recent Friday 9 p.m. tryout, Friday at 8 may get one of the new dramas. Saturday will feature another three-hour movie showcase, and Sunday at 10 is being eyeballed for a new drama.
"We have not made a decision on Boomtown or Kingpin," Zucker said of the 10 p.m. Sunday incumbents. "The success of Criminal Intent [at 9] gives us a good opportunity there."
-mediaweek.com
Marc Berman
APRIL 21, 2003 -
NBC is planning to introduce as many as four new sitcoms next season as the network makes comedy its top priority, according to NBC Entertainment president Jeff Zucker. Comedy pilots featuring Heather Locklear, Whoopi Goldberg, Tom Selleck and John Larroquette are all vying for spots on the net's fall schedule, Zucker said in an interview last week.
Although the Law & Order threesome, ER, The West Wing, Third Watch, Crossing Jordan and the probable returns of Ed and American Dreams limit NBC's need for new dramas, two new scripted hours are also likely to make the schedule, giving the network a likely total of six new shows this fall.
"Our goal is to continue to dominate among adults 18-49 using quality scripted programming," Zucker said. "It's really the comedy side that is our focus next season."
Heading into the current season, NBC had strong momentum. Boosted by the Winter Olympics, the network finished 2001-02 first in households, total viewers and adults 18-49. With fewer programming changes last fall than any other network (four nights were unchanged), only five new series (versus seven each for ABC, CBS and Fox) and a stable of upscale returning shows, NBC was the network to beat this season.
"With Thursday at the core and the Law & Order franchise, there was every reason to believe NBC would remain competitive," said Shari Anne Brill, vp/director of programming at Carat USA. "But because they sacrificed planning for the future in favor of stability, they put themselves in a vulnerable spot this season."
With five weeks left in the season, NBC's ratings among adults 18-49 are down on six nights of the week; total viewership is off by 14 percent; veteran series Frasier and The West Wing have sprung ratings leaks; CBS' Without a Trace has narrowed the gap opposite ER; and the network's leadership in the coveted 18-49 demo (six of the past seven seasons) is at stake. NBC's 18-49 advantage over Fox at this point last season -- 1.2 rating points -- has shrunk to just 0.3 this season, thanks largely to the success of Fox reality hits American Idol and Joe Millionaire.
"In this very strange year dominated by reality, Michael Jackson and the war, I think we performed very well," Zucker said. "Last year we won significantly because of the Olympics, but two seasons ago, we beat Fox [in 18-49 ratings] by four-tenths of a rating point. If you take Joe Millionaire out of Fox's ratings, we would beat them by that same margin this season."
Still, Zucker conceded that NBC needs to shake things up a bit. "Although stability is important, I think it's fair to say we will be more aggressive next season," he said.
While he would not confirm any scheduling moves, Zucker offered these scenarios for next season:
On Monday, NBC's sole night of year-to-year 18-49 ratings growth, Fear Factor, Third Watch and Crossing Jordan may remain intact. "Crossing Jordan really held its own opposite some tough competition this year," Zucker said.
Tuesday is a key night for NBC next year. With Frasier down; Just Shoot Me, In-Laws and Hidden Hills out; and 9:30 p.m. tryouts A.U.S.A. and Watching Ellie on the fence, another season of new sitcoms surrounding Frasier is likely. On Wednesday, despite surprising erosion for The West Wing (18-49 ratings are off 28 percent), expect the political drama to remain at 9 followed by Law & Order, with Dateline back at 8.
On Thursday, NBC might slot one of the four new sitcoms at 9:30, following Will & Grace, Zucker said. As for current occupant Good Morning, Miami, "it wasn't ready creatively when it began," resulting in some negative reviews that put the show at a disadvantage.
With encouraging ratings for Ed in its recent Friday 9 p.m. tryout, Friday at 8 may get one of the new dramas. Saturday will feature another three-hour movie showcase, and Sunday at 10 is being eyeballed for a new drama.
"We have not made a decision on Boomtown or Kingpin," Zucker said of the 10 p.m. Sunday incumbents. "The success of Criminal Intent [at 9] gives us a good opportunity there."
-mediaweek.com