RENEWAL ALERT: The Blacklist, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Law & Order: SVU, Grimm

NBC handed out renewals to five successful dramas today: The Blacklist and Chicago PD for a third season, Chicago Fire for a fourth season, Grimm for a fifth season, and Law & Order: SVU for a 17th (!) season.

Ahead of its Thursday night launch, The Blacklist was given a vote of confidence by NBC. It has always done well in its cozy Monday night slot after The Voice, and it was an out of the box hit last season as a freshman. But this test on Thursday night against Scandal is a real challenge. We'll know soon enough how this is going to go but NBC is committed to its success.

The Chicago twins were renewed and they could have Chicago Med joining them next season as well. Fire has been a real success story for NBC. It can perform well no matter what it's lead-in is, and it's lead-in has been pretty terrible this season with the weak 9pm comedy hour on Tuesdays. It definitely has its own audience. PD has done decently as well, but it really only seems to be impressive when it's crossing over with Fire or Law & Order: SVU or both. It still doesn't seem to have as much of its own audience as Fire does.

Two more veterans got another season. Grimm has continued to do well enough on Friday nights though NBC has not been able to find a companion for it. It continues to be a little show that could on a tough night, as it always has been. There was no last minute drama for Law & Order: SVU's renewal this year as it will be back for a 17th season. After it grew its audience last year, it's taken a step back again this year especially since Empire premiered. But it's a valuable brand that has toughed it out in a very difficult slot for years.

These are the first five renewals for NBC. Sure to join them is The Voice and probably Celebrity Apprentice. It's a toss-up for The Mysteries of Laura while it's not looking good for About a Boy, Constantine, Marry Me, and State of Affairs. Still to premiere is Allegiance (tonight), The Slap, One Big Happy, A.D., Odyssey, and the second seasons of The Night Shift and Undateable.