NBC to unveil their 2008-09 schedule

[ckg927]

It'll happen next week at Rockefeller Plaza...in the form of a news conference. (Oh,how very Golden Globes of you,Peacock!) That's according to the Hollywood Reporter.

This is the earliest upfront ever for NBC and a good 6 weeks before any other network does so. They'll rely more on the pressers and meetings between the network's execs and advertisers more so than the mid-May upfronts we've come to know and love.

Now,NBC says this is part of its new 52-week programming strategy. Seems to me they forgot Fox kinda got to this first. And,the Peacock hasn't exactly had the best success with scripted shows of late,either.

Your take on this move,folks?

 

[goldenboy]

So it's an anti-upfront upfront? Does this mean taking a chance on actual quality, limited-run summertime scripted shows? I know they've got Fear Itself, a horror anthology.

This new model is cos of competition from cable, and videogames and whatever else is drawing eyeballs away from the Nets I suppose....?

 

[ckg927]

Considering NBC's recent reliance on game shows/reality to plug holes in its lineup(not to mention a lack of ratings),I'd doubt it.

But,then again,what do I know?

And,you're right in that it's kinda designed as a slap at the cable nets' plans for summer.

 

[Randy Giles]

Well, I don't think FOX has had THAT much success in launching hits in the summer. There was The OC of course. But if they are able to pull it off, then great.

Also they're taking the approach of letting shows be developed until they're ready, and not having to rush them, and whenever that gets mentioned Bionic Woman comes to mind.

 

[ckg927]

True.

But have you heard of So You Think You Can Dance...and a little show called American Idol? They both got their start in the summer and have done well for themselves(AI even more so when it moved to January).

Neither of the returning shows NBC is bringing back did all that well in the ratings(of the two,Chuck did better).

 

[ckg927]

Oh,one more thing:

This has the capability to backfire on NBC...badly. Think the other networks will do their best to match their shows against NBC....and how NBC will tinker to counteract it?

The whole matter smells of someone who,in trying to show that they're hipper than everyone else,instead shows how much of an idiot they truly are.