UPFRONTS: NBC 2022-23 Schedule

While my blog focuses on different things now as the industry has evolved, I will still be doing an Upfronts post for each of the five broadcast networks when they release their schedules. Both NBC and FOX had Upfronts today but only NBC released a schedule so here it is!

MONDAYS

8:00 The Voice (22nd edition)

10:00 QUANTUM LEAP

Since The Voice premiered in 2011, most falls (and sometimes springs) have had NBC's highest profile new show premiering after their tentpole competition series. Often times it would be one of many premieres but in a clear sign of the changing landscape, NBC will premiere just one new show at the start of the traditional broadcast season. That show is the high profile reboot of Quantum Leap, a cult hit for the network from 1989-1993. This version stars Raymond Lee and will get the bulk of NBC's promotional push. The Voice isn't the lead-in it once was but shows in the Quantum Leap vein like The Blacklist and Blindspot were always better performers after it than a show like last year's Ordinary Joe. However, there was another time travel show - Timeless - that followed The Voice in 2016 and didn't pan out.

TUESDAYS

8:00 The Voice (22nd edition)

9:00 La Brea (2nd season)

10:00 New Amsterdam (5th season)

This is Us has come to an end after six seasons including its final midseason run this year. NBC is returning in the fall with the same lineup it had in Fall 2021. The Voice will kick things off and the final season of New Amsterdam will end the night. In between is La Brea, which was a surprise success in this slot last fall. It only had a ten episode order so it's been awhile since we've seen the show. I'm not convinced lightning will strike twice for a show like this but we'll see.

WEDNESDAYS
8:00 Chicago Med (8th season)

9:00 Chicago Fire (11th season)

10:00 Chicago PD (10th season)

For a fifth straight year, NBC is keeping the Chicago trio together. They are three of the highest rated shows on TV still so it makes complete sense.

THURSDAYS

8:00 Law & Order (2nd/22nd season)

9:00 Law & Order: SVU (24th season)

10:00 Law & Order: Organized Crime (3rd season)

The Dick Wolf colonization continues on Thursday with the trio of Law & Order shows. Although it's super boring to analyze, this is the way to go with broadcast TV schedules. Adventurous viewers are watching streaming shows. The more traditional broadcast audience goes nuts for shows like these at the times they expect them to be on.

FRIDAYS

(September)

8:00 Capital One College Bowl (2nd season)

9:00 Dateline NBC (32nd season)

(November)

8:00 Young Rock (3rd season)

8:30 LOPEZ VS. LOPEZ

9:00 Dateline NBC

NBC is starting the season with a pretty boring lineup as College Bowl returns for a second season and is paired with Dateline NBC. Things get a little more interesting in November when they try a comedy block with Young Rock leading into the new multi-camera George Lopez sitcom Lopez vs. Lopez. NBC is rationalizing it as a throwback to the TGIF mentality with these family sitcoms but it's been a long time since sitcoms worked on Fridays. NBC last tried a comedy block on this night in 2015 with the live episodes of Undateable and the dud Truth Be Told. We'll see, but I'm skeptical. At least they have comedies somewhere on the fall schedule unlike last year.

SATURDAYS
8:00 Encores

9:00 Dateline Mystery

10:00 SNL Encores

SUNDAYS

7:00 Football Night in America (17th season)

8:30 Sunday Night Football

MIDSEASON: LA FIRE AND RESCUE, MILLION DOLLAR ISLAND, NIGHT COURT, THE WHEEL, American Auto, The Blacklist, Grand Crew, That's My Jam, The Wall

NBC had a lot on its list for midseason last year and there's less this year but NBC may add to this list as it continues its march towards year-round development. LA Fire and Rescue, Million Dollar Island and The Wheel were all on this list last year and haven't made it to air. The reboot of Night Court was ordered quite awhile ago but will also be held for midseason along with returning comedies American Auto and Grand Crew, the 10th (!) season of The Blacklist and the unscripted That's My Jam along with NBC's favorite filler The Wall.

CANCELLED/ENDED: The Courtship, The Endgame, Home Sweet Home, Kenan, Mr. Mayor, Ordinary Joe, The Thing About Pam (limited series), This is Us

TBD: American Song Contest, AGT: Extreme, Family Game Fight!, Making It, Home Sweet Home, Weakest Link