Other than its Sunday animation block, the network will rely on reality shows to start the 2023-24 season.t
This season brings several shows that are remaking themselves after actors who were accused of acting reprehensibly were fired.
Perhaps it’s because the fall TV lineup seems to have been cobbled together from the contents of a junk drawer stuffed with reboots, spinoffs and formulaic mush, but as the networks begin the process of converting upfront holds to orders, media buyers say they’re not terribly optimistic about the new shows set to roll out in September and beyond.
We’re days away from the beginning of a new television season, and there’s a sense that we are entering a new frontier of this medium’s existence. A huge new frontier. It’s comparable to an explorer’s “eureka” moment of realizing a breakthrough of landmark proportions. Consider this: The season ahead will be the first to simultaneously play out during not one, not two, but three extraordinary eras of TV.
NBC has released premiere dates for its upcoming fall TV shows, including new drama This Is Us, Michael Schur comedy The Good Place, and the return of Blindspot, which kicks off the network’s schedule with its move to Wednesday nights starting Sept. 14.
These programs have the strongest buzz, the best pilots and the most favorable timeslots. Media people’s top choice by far: ABC’s Designated Survivor with Kiefer Sutherland.
Exclusives
A little over half of consumers are not that concerned with the traditional, seasonal starting up of TV shows — typically in September. In surveying over 3,200 consumers, Videology, a TV-video technology advertising company, pointed to research indicating that 55% of consumers said the “season” doesn’t impact their video viewing. More specifically, 46% of respondents didn’t know that September traditionally marked the start of the new TV season. Another 24% “don’t look forward to the September TV season.” Why? Because TV programming is available all year long.
Here’s the lowdown on the number of new shows, last season’s ratings, comparisons to last fall and how many shows are coming back, plus a handy list of premiere dates.
Today, two prominent media analysts issued reports expressing concern about the new season. So far, few new shows have taken off and ratings have tumbled at ABC, CBS and Fox in the adults 18-49 demographic that advertisers covet. Both CBS and Fox are off by more than 20% while ABC is down 13%.
At the top of the list: Are viewers sick of the reality singing genre? Other big issues: Whether NBC will rebound and if the new comedies will stick.
