According to reports, NBC is considering the reduction of its primetime footprint across the week. Under the scenario being discussed, the network would end programming at the 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. hour CST and return those seven hours per week to local TV stations to program, a report from the Wall Street Journal says.
To be clear, nothing has been decided yet. There has not been a formal discussion with NBC’s affiliate board.
If NBC did follow through with the move, it would save the network money. This conversation comes at a time when streaming has surpassed cable and broadcast as the number one way audiences watch entertainment. Ratings for all five networks have been dropping for years. NBCUniversal and Comcast have doubled down on their own streaming network Peacock.
The report also states that the network’s NFL franchise, Sunday Night Football, which regularly runs past 11 p.m. ET in the fall, or any other primetime sports packages would not be affected.
Such a move would affect the popular Wednesday night One Chicago block which enjoys a consistent number one rating on the night. Either Chicago Med, Chicago Fire or Chicago P.D. would be forced to move to another night. Dick Wolf’s other night Thursday, which features the Law and Order franchises, would also have to be broken up.
Right now the Fall schedule is a lock, including 9 p.m., so no moves could take place until fall 2023. The Hollywood Reporter says major station groups would be happy to have the 10 o’clock hour to program themselves. Most likely it would be filled with local news programming or syndicated fare.
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NBC didn’t comment directly on the report but gave THR the following statement, which it also provided to the Journal: “We are always looking at strategies to ensure that our broadcast business remains as strong as possible. As a company, our advantage lies in our ability to provide audiences with the content they love across broadcast, cable and streaming.”
Should NBC lose an hour, its primetime footprint would be more in line with Fox and The CW, which skew toward younger audiences. Those two only have two hours of primetime during the week and three on Sunday.
Cuts also mean earlier airtimes for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night With Seth Meyers and possibly Saturday Night Live as well. There is a rumor that SNL may retire along with its creator, Lorne Michaels, in 2025, its 50th anniversary.
