While NBC’s long-running One Chicago Wednesdays and Law & Order Thursdays remain intact, it was sports that took center stage at NBCUniversal’s Upfront event today at Radio City Music Hall. NBC announced major programming highlights, headlined by NBA basketball coverage featuring Chicago Bull legend, Michael Jordan, as a special contributor.
Mark Marshall, Chairman of NBCUniversal Global Advertising & Partnerships, highlighted the growing prominence of sports in media, underscoring NBCUniversal’s strategic acquisition of NBA broadcast rights. Donna Langley, Chairman of NBCUniversal Entertainment & Studio, emphasized the significance of the $2.5 billion annual NBA deal, describing it as a “weekly tentpole” event that will enhance NBC’s entire programming lineup.
“Our franchises offer something for everyone, ensuring our advertisers can reach the broadest possible audience,” Langley stated.
Alongside an extensive sports lineup featuring the 20th season of Sunday Night Football, Super Bowl LX, NBA All-Star Weekend, Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, Paralympics, and FIFA World Cup, NBCUniversal showcased key upcoming entertainment offerings.
The network previewed its entertainment slate, notably the highly anticipated Peacock original, The Paper, from The Office creators Greg Daniels and Michael Koman. The series stars Domhnall Gleeson, Sabrina Impacciatore, and Oscar Nunez, revisiting the mockumentary style popularized by The Office.
Other Peacock highlights include the marital comedy The Miniature Wife starring Elizabeth Banks, suburban thriller The Burbs featuring Keke Palmer, and thriller All Her Fault with Dakota Fanning. Amy Poehler also announced her new series Dig, marking her reunion with Parks and Recreation collaborator Mike Schur.
The NBC October schedule prominently features live sports and unscripted content, with minimal scripted programming, underscoring the network’s strategic pivot toward live-event television.
“Every performance, trailer, or clip brings us back to our central mantra: Above All Else: Entertain,” concluded Langley.
NBC FALL 2025-26 SCHEDULE (SEPT./OCT.)
(New programs in UPPER CASE; all times ET/PT)
MONDAY
8-10 P.M. — The Voice
10-11 P.M. — Brilliant Minds
TUESDAY (SEPTEMBER)
8-10 P.M. — The Voice
10-11 P.M. — ON BRAND WITH JIMMY FALLON
TUESDAY (OCTOBER)
8-11 P.M. — NBA
WEDNESDAY
8-9 P.M. — Chicago Med
9-10 P.M. — Chicago Fire
10-11 P.M. — Chicago P.D.
THURSDAY
8-9 P.M. — Law & Order
9-10 P.M. — Law & Order: SVU
10-11 P.M. — The Hunting Party
FRIDAY
8-9 P.M. — ON BRAND WITH JIMMY FALLON
9-11 P.M. — Dateline NBC
SATURDAY
7-7:30 P.M. ET — Big Ten Pregame / Notre Dame Pregame (also live on Peacock)
7:30-11 P.M. ET — Big Ten Saturday Night / Notre Dame Football (also live on Peacock)
SUNDAY
7-8:20 P.M. ET — Football Night in America (also live on Peacock)
8:20-11 P.M. ET — NBC Sunday Night Football (also live on Peacock)
NEW COMEDY SERIES
THE FALL AND RISE OF REGGIE DINKINS
A disgraced former football player is on a mission to rehabilitate his image. The series stars Tracy Morgan, Daniel Radcliffe, Erika Alexander, Bobby Moynihan, Precious Way, and Jalyn Hall. Writers Robert Carlock and Sam Means executive produce with Tracy Morgan, Tina Fey, Eric Gurian, and David Miner. Director Rhys Thomas also executive produces (pilot only). The series is produced by Universal Television (a division of Universal Studio Group), Little Stranger, Bevel Gears, and 3 Arts.
NEW UNSCRIPTED SERIES
ON BRAND WITH JIMMY FALLON
An innovative unscripted series that follows what happens when Jimmy Fallon starts a premier marketing agency and fills it with the most creative, clever, and competitive go-getters he can find. Fallon recruited Bozoma Saint John as the On Brand Agency’s Chief Marketing Officer, where she will mentor the creatives and evaluate their work.
In each episode, the On Brand Agency creatives will work with a major brand in need of a big idea for a massive, high-priority campaign — from creating earworm jingles and unbelievable activations to producing the most quotable commercials and must-have merchandise. They will have unprecedented access to the client’s business before pitching their vision to a brand representative, along with Saint John and Fallon, with only the best ideas moving on to proof of concept and the opportunity to see their campaign brought to life on the national stage.
The “On Brand” format will be licensed globally by NBCUniversal Formats, a division of Universal Studio Group. On Brand with Jimmy Fallon is produced by B17 Entertainment and Universal Television Alternative Studio, in association with Electric Hot Dog. Executive producers are Jimmy Fallon, Brien Meagher, Rhett Bachner, Pip Wells, and Kelly Powers. Creative Artists Agency’s (CAA) Media & Entertainment Partnerships division serves as a collaborative business partner with NBCUniversal to bring leading brands to the show.
SPECIAL EVENT SERIES
SURVIVING EARTH
NBC is going way back in time to see how life not only survived cataclysmic events but thrived in the unscripted special event series Surviving Earth. A co-production between Universal Television Alternative Studio (a division of Universal Studio Group) and UK indie Loud Minds, the eight-episode series will take an incredible journey into prehistory to learn the lessons from past mass extinctions.
Adopting cutting-edge digital technology, each episode transports the viewer back to meet the bizarre and amazing creatures and breathtaking landscapes of a vibrant lost world. Audiences will witness how life finds a way to survive on a planet where meteors fall, super volcanoes erupt, seas boil, and the land moves.
From the creators of Walking with Dinosaurs and Primeval, these are the stories of the survivors, fighters, and lucky ones that shaped the world we live in.
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