Now that we’re exactly two weeks from the beginning of upfronts, it’s time to start thinking about what each network schedule could look like. We don’t yet know what combination of new shows, bubble shows, scripted projects, and reality competitions we’ll see on each network come next season, but that hasn’t stopped KSiteTV from attempting to figure out what NBC, FOX, ABC, CBS, and The CW will put forth the week of May 16th. For the fourth season in a row, Craig Byrne and Shilo Adams have put together what they think each new schedule will look like; neither has access to insider information, nor do they claim to be clairvoyant, so this series of articles is about informed takes based on reading the television trades, following development, and good guessing skills. If you don’t see a show you like mentioned, or a show you like gets mentioned disparagingly, take note that we don’t mean anything by it. We’re just trying to figure these schedules out.
First up on the docket is NBC, which has had an excellent season without possessing a true scripted giant. The network has managed to add some great pieces in workplace comedy Superstore, Chicago spin-off Chicago Med, and child talent show Little Big Shots, but NBC’s real power during this past season has come from live event programming (The Wiz Live!), sports (which will only grow stronger with the impact of the Summer Olympics and Thursday Night Football), and targeted specials (Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors). However, NBC’s depth isn’t the best thing for fantasy schedulers, as there’s not a whole lot of room to work and big moves are hard to come by. So what do we think NBC will look like come fall?
2016-2017 Fantasy Scheduling Articles Thus Far: FOX | ABC | CBS | The CW
SUNDAY
SHILO: 7:00 Football Night in America; 8:15 NBC Sunday Night Football
CRAIG: 7:00 Football Night in America; 8:15 NBC Sunday Night Football
CRAIG: This is already locked in, so there’s really nothing more I can say about it.
SHILO: Yeah, football is easily the ratings behemoth of the sports world and it doesn’t even matter if play on the field is bad; the United States has an insatiable appetite for football, so NBC is good to go on Sundays this fall, as per usual. The only thing I wonder is how Sunday Night Football will be impacted once Thursday Night Football airs on the same network, but even if it takes a hit, it’ll still tower over everything not named The Walking Dead.
