NBC has announced that Dick Wolf has reupped his deal with Universal TV for five years and nine figures. As part of the deal, Wolf and his production company have secured multiple series commitments and current Wolf NBC shows Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, and Law & Order: SVU have each received a three-season renewal.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with Dick over the decades and it goes without saying he remains one of the most influential producers in history,” said Bonnie Hammer, NBCUniversal Content Studios chairman. “He is a visionary unlike any other whose impact has changed the entire television landscape. We’re beyond thrilled to have Dick and his team remain in the NBCUniversal family for many years to come.”
This latest deal for Wolf comes on the heels of NBCUniversal streaming service Peacock securing the SVOD rights to his entire catalog of hits for nine figures. Per The Hollywood Reporter, sources have indicated that Peacock has expressed interest in long-gestating Law & Order spinoff Law & Order: Hate Crimes, which was given a series order in September 2018.
The renewal brings SVU through its 24th season, expanding its lead as the longest-running primetime live-action series in television history. The series is currently winning its Thursdays at 10:00 time slot in demo and viewers; it’s averaging a 1.5 in Live+7 demo and 6.5 million viewers, with its most recent season premiere ballooning up to a 3.9 and 11.1 million viewers when adding in digital and linear delayed viewing to date.
The One Chicago universe comprises three of the TV’s top seven most watched dramas, with all three up double digits from last season. In Live+7, Med is averaging a 1.7 and 11 million viewers, Fire is at a 1.9 and 11.4 million viewers, and PD racks up a 2.0 and 11 million viewers.
The renewals mean that One Chicago and SVU join The Blacklist, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, New Amsterdam, Superstore, and This Is Us in getting early passes to the 2020-21 schedule. New Amsterdam and This Is Us also received gigantic three-season renewals within the last 12 months.
