June 12th & 14th Prime Changed

Due to early Stanley Cup

Air Date: 06/12/2010 Saturday
Start Time: 10:00:00 PM [ET]
Show Name: LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT
Duration: 00:59:30

Air Date: 06/12/2010 Saturday
Start Time: 09:00:00 PM [ET]
Show Name: LAW & ORDER
Duration: 01:00:00

Air Date: 06/12/2010 Saturday
Start Time: 08:00:00 PM [ET]
Show Name: LAW & ORDER
Duration: 01:00:00

-----------------

Air Date: 06/14/2010 Monday
Start Time: 10:00:00 PM [ET]
Show Name: PERSONS UNKNOWN
Duration: 00:59:30

Air Date: 06/14/2010 Monday
Start Time: 09:00:00 PM [ET]
Show Name: LAST COMIC STANDING
Duration: 01:00:00

Air Date: 06/14/2010 Monday
Start Time: 08:00:00 PM [ET]
Show Name: LAST COMIC STANDING
Duration: 01:00:00

More Prime Changes Because of NHL Dates

Now that the NBC Stanley Cup Finals schedule has moved up as advised in APT, we will also have primetime program schedule changes on May 30th, June 5th and 13th to fill in the holes left from the new NHL schedule.

The following will be booked:

Sunday, May 30th
9:00-11:00 SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE IN THE 2000s (Repeat)

Saturday, June 5th
8:00-10:00 AMERICA'S GOT TALENT "501" (501) (Repeat)
10:00-11:00 AMERICA'S GOT TALENT "502" (502) (Repeat)

Sunday, June 13th
8:00-9:00 LOSING IT WITH JILLIAN "Jones" (102) (Repeat)
9:00-11:00 LAST COMIC STANDING "70102" (70102) (Repeat)

Stanley Cup Moves Up to This Saturday Prime

Posted: 05/25/2010 12:49:26 PM
Type: Announcements
Message: Here is the updated NBC Stanley Cup Final Schedule: Saturday, May 29 at Chicago, 8 p.m; Monday, May 31 at Chicago, 8 p.m; Sunday, June 6 at Chicago, 8 pm (if nec'y); Wednesday, June 9 at Philadelphia, 8pm (if nec'y); Friday, June 11 at Chicago, 8 pm (if nec'y).

Sunday & Monday Changes in August

NBC will be airing the 2010 Miss Universe Pageant live from Las Vegas on Monday, August 23rd from 8-10PM ET. It will be tape delayed on stations in the Mountain & Pacific times zones and Alaska and Hawaii.

Also, on Sunday, August 15th, there will be two back-to-back original episodes of LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT at 9 and 10PM ET/PT.

The following will be booked:

Sunday, August 15th
9:00-10:00 LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT (Original)
10:00-11:00 LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT (Original)

Monday, August 23rd
8:00-10:00 2010 MISS UNIVERSE PAGEANT (Original)

Leno Encores Return to Overnight Hours in July

Encores of THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO will replace encores of LATE NIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON in the Monday through Friday 3:04-4AM ET/PT overnight time period effective Monday, July 5th through the end of the year.


The following will be booked:

Monday, July 5th - Friday, December 31st
3:04 -4:00 THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO-ALL NIGHT

RDRx Clients in Eastern, Central and Mountain Times Updated

Minute to Win It 2 Hours has been placed in inventory and you've got generous audience estimates created just for your station, within half an hour of the network announcement.

SNL Encore Next Wednesday Replaced By 2 Hours of Minute

Next Wednesday, we will replace the currently booked SNL encore special with two encore episodes of MINUTE TO WIN IT. MINUTE has shown great ratings performance this May sweeps and on this last night of the ratings period, keeping it on Wednesdays could provide an added boost into SVU.

The following will be booked:

Wednesday, May 26th
8:00-10:00 MINUTE TO WIN IT (Repeat)

Thursday, Sept 9th Kickoff Special and Game Move Hour Earlier

Posted: 05/18/2010 03:34:35 PM
Air Date: 09/09/2010 Thursday
Start Time: 07:30:00 PM [ET]
Show Name: FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA
Duration: 01:00:00
Type: Time Change
Message: NBC NFL KICK-OFF SPECIAL airs 7:30-8:30p ET (prev. sked 8:00-8:30p ET). Please see contingencies for revised format and impact to other dayparts. Please advise clearance (as part of 2010/11 NFL Football Season Pkg.)

NBC Eastern and Central Estimates Published Pre-Dawn

All of my RDRx clients in Eastern and Central Times Zones now have their 2010-2011 Prime Inventory updates published with customized audience estimates through 1st Quarter 2011.

2010-2011 Schedule Announced

NBC UNVEILS 2010-11 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE ACCENTED BY FIVE NEW COMEDIES, SEVEN NEW DRAMAS AND NEW ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM

The New Fall Schedule Features All-Drama Lineups on Mondays and Wednesdays and All Comedies on Thursdays, Plus Unscripted Programming into Compatible Dramas on Tuesdays and Fridays

New Comedies Include "Friends With Benefits," "Outsourced," "Perfect Couples," "Love Bites" and "The Paul Reiser Show"

New Dramas Are "Undercovers," "The Event," "Chase," "Law & Order: Los Angeles," "Outlaw," "The Cape" and "Harry's Law"; And New Alternative Show "School Pride"

NEW YORK CITY -- May 16, 2010 - NBC announced today its 2010-11 primetime schedule that is highlighted by five new comedies, seven new drama series and one new alternative program, including shows from such innovative hit-makers as J.J. Abrams, Jerry Bruckheimer and David E. Kelley, among others.

The high-quality series include new comedies such as "Outsourced," "Love Bites," "Perfect Couples," "Friends With Benefits" and "The Paul Reiser Show." The new dramas are "The Cape," "Harry's Law," "Outlaw," "Undercovers," "The Event," "Chase" and "Law & Order: Los Angeles."

The schedule features all-drama lineups on Mondays and Wednesdays and five comedies on Thursdays. Tuesdays will continue to combine the similar appeal of "The Biggest Loser" with "Parenthood," and Fridays will team "Who Do You Think You Are?" and the new series "School Pride" with "Dateline NBC" and the new legal drama "Outlaw."

NBC will also broadcast a 35th anniversary "Saturday Night Live" special that will celebrate the iconic late-night series' long and eventful run on NBC since 1975.

The announcements were made by Jeff Gaspin, Chairman, NBC Universal Television Entertainment, and Angela Bromstad, President, Primetime Entertainment, NBC and Universal Media Studios.

"This new schedule brings NBC back to basics with its commitment to quality scripted programming," said Gaspin. "Our new shows are distinctive and feature a combination of the biggest talent, the brightest new stars and the strongest auspices in television. With this new schedule, we're poised to take the next step toward our long-term goals with a lineup that has stabilized and has been building solid momentum through the second half of the season."

"Our team has been working tirelessly to achieve our ambitious goals and we are so pleased to see that these new series demonstrate tremendous upside for NBC," said Bromstad. "We feel that this development season introduces shows that will become part of the great programming legacy of our network."

On Mondays (all times ET), NBC leads off with "Chuck" from 8-9 p.m., followed by two new and intense hour-long dramas - "The Event" (9-10 p.m.) and "Chase" (10-11 p.m.). Then on Tuesdays, NBC returns with its powerful stories from the hit alternative series "The Biggest Loser" (8-10 p.m.) and finishes the night with the acclaimed family drama "Parenthood" (10-11 p.m.).

NBC's Wednesday night features three hours of drama programming beginning with the new series "Undercovers" from J.J. Abrams (8-9 p.m.), "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (9-10 p.m.) and the new "Law & Order: Los Angeles" at 10-11 p.m. concludes the night.

Primetime Thursdays feature wall-to-wall comedy as this season's freshman sensation "Community" continues at 8-8:30 p.m. followed by the Emmy Award-winning "30 Rock" (8:30-9 p.m.). The Emmy-winning "The Office" continues 9-9:30 p.m. and will be followed by the new comedy "Outsourced" (9:30-10 p.m.). Now NBC's comedy fans get an extra round of laughs when the new, hour-long comedy "Love Bites" debuts at 10-11 p.m. "Parks and Recreation" will return to Thursdays later in the season to give the night more original programming.

Fridays come alive with a fresh mix of reality, news and a new scripted drama as the popular "Who Do You Think You Are?" returns at 8-9 p.m. where it shares the time period with "School Pride" -- a new, proactive and inspiring series about rebuilding a community's schools. "Dateline NBC" continues at 9-10 p.m. with its compelling personal stories. The workweek ends with "Outlaw," a new courtroom drama featuring Emmy winner Jimmy Smits as a former U.S. Supreme Court justice.

The wildly successful "NBC Sunday Night Football" reigns supreme again on Sundays (8:15-11:30 p.m.) preceded by "Football Night in America" (7-8:15 p.m.).

Sundays beginning March 2011, the popular competition series "Minute to Win It" returns (8-9 p.m.) followed by "The Celebrity Apprentice" (9-11 p.m.)

The new series "The Cape," "Friends With Benefits," "Perfect Couples," "Harry's Law" and "The Paul Reiser Show" will premiere later in the season along with a new version of "The Apprentice" "The Marriage Ref" and the new series "America's Next Great Restaurant" -- starring acclaimed celebrity chef/restaurateur Bobby Flay.

For detailed series descriptions and for photography, please log on to www.nbcumv.com.

See the schedule, watch exclusive video, and explore NBC's upcoming shows on NBC.com: http://www.nbc.com/upcoming-shows/

NBC FALL 2010 SCHEDULE *New programs in UPPER CASE; all times ET

MONDAY
8-9 p.m. - "Chuck"
9-10 p.m. - "THE EVENT"
10-11 p.m. - "CHASE"

TUESDAY
8-10 p.m. - "The Biggest Loser"
10-11 p.m. - "Parenthood"

WEDNESDAY
8-9 p.m. - "UNDERCOVERS"
9-10 p.m. - "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"
10-11 p.m. - "LAW & ORDER: LOS ANGELES"

THURSDAY
8- 8:30 p.m. - "Community"
8:30-9 p.m. - "30 Rock"
9-9:30 p.m. - "The Office"
9:30-10 p.m. - "OUTSOURCED"
10-11 p.m. - "LOVE BITES"

FRIDAY
8-9 p.m. - "Who Do You Think You Are?"/"SCHOOL PRIDE"
9-10 p.m. - "Dateline NBC"
10-11 p.m. - "OUTLAW"

SATURDAY
Encore programming

SUNDAY
7- 8:15 p.m. -- "Football Night in America"
8:15-11:30 p.m. -- "NBC Sunday Night Football"

SUNDAY (beginning March 2011)
7-8 p.m. - "Dateline NBC"
8-9 p.m. - "Minute to Win It"
9-11 p.m. - "The Celebrity Apprentice"

Computer Upgrades Through Sunday AM

With news leaks like the cancellation of Heroes, it's tempting to keep updating this site between Saturday mid-day and Sunday evening, when I'll have a pretty good idea of NBC's Fall schedule.

However, we at ODI are getting ready to launch additional services in coming months, so I'm doing significant, enterprise class hardware upgrades here in RDRx Land, along with redundant systems and Microsoft WHS backups.

So, don't expect updates until Sunday evening.. the computer that does your work is about to get transplants!

Bromstad Fills In Fall Season Gaps - Schedule Leaks Sunday

NBC GIVES NEW PICKUP TO ‘CHUCK’ FOR FOURTH SEASON IN 2010-11 and ADDS FOUR NEW SCRIPTED SERIES TO LINEUP WITH DRAMAS ‘THE CAPE,’ “OUTLAW’ AND ‘HARRY’S LAW’ AS WELL AS COMEDY ‘FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS’ FOR 2010-11

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. – May 14, 2010 – NBC has issued pickups for four more new scripted series with dramas “The Cape,” “Outlaw,” “Harry’s Law” and the comedy “Friends With Benefits” – while renewing the action-comedy series “Chuck” for a fourth season -- all for the 2010-11 season. The announcement was made today by Angela Bromstad, President, Primetime Entertainment, NBC and Universal Media Studios.

“The addition of these four inventive series to our new scripted lineup demonstrates a wide spectrum of creative stories,” said Bromstad. “We are featuring popular, top-flight stars along with a strong pedigree of successful writer-producers. Likewise, ‘Chuck’ has proven its enduring appeal and we love the new creative direction that Josh and Chris have taken the show.”

The four new series join previously announced “LOLA’ (“Law & Order: Los Angeles”), “Perfect Couples,” "Chase," "Undercovers," "The Event," "Love Bites" and "Outsourced" as the new scripted series that NBC has revealed for its new season.

"The Cape" is a one-hour drama series starring David Lyons ("ER") as Vince Faraday, an honest cop on a corrupt police force, who finds himself framed for a series of murders and presumed dead. He is forced into hiding, leaving behind his wife, Dana (Jennifer Ferrin, "Life on Mars") and son, Trip (Ryan Wynott, "Flash Forward"). Fueled by a desire to reunite with his family and to battle the criminal forces that have overtaken Palm City, Faraday becomes "The Cape" his son's favorite comic book superhero -- and takes the law into his own hands. Rounding out the cast are James Frain ("The Tudors") as billionaire Peter Fleming - The Cape's nemesis - who moonlights as the twisted killer: Chess; Keith David ("Death at a Funeral") as Max Malini, the ringleader of a circus gang of bank robbers who mentors Vince Faraday and trains him to be The Cape; Summer Glau ("Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles") as Orwell, an investigative blogger who wages war on crime and corruption in Palm City; and Dorian Missick ("Six Degrees") as Marty Voyt, a former police detective and friend to Faraday.

"The Cape" is a Universal Media Studios and BermanBraun production from executive producer/creator Thomas Wheeler (“Empire”), executive producer/director Simon West (“Con Air”), the executive producing team of Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun (“Mercy”) and executive producer Gene Stein (“Accidentally on Purpose”).

Starring Emmy Award winner Jimmy Smits ("NYPD Blue," "West Wing"), "Outlaw" is a new drama from executive producer John Eisendrath ("Alias," "Felicity," "Playmakers"). Cyrus Garza (Smits) is a Supreme Court justice who abruptly quits the high-level position. A playboy and a gambler, Garza had always adhered to a strict interpretation of the law until he realized the system he believed in was flawed. Now that he’s quit the bench and returned to private practice, he’s determined to represent “the little guy” and use his inside knowledge of the justice system to take on today’s biggest legal cases. And he's making plenty of powerful people unhappy along the way. Jesse Bradford ("West Wing"), Carly Pope ("24"), Ellen Woglom ("Californication") and David Ramsey ("Dexter") also star.

“Outlaw” is a Universal Media Studios production along with Conaco productions. Eisendrath is executive producer along with Terry George ("Hotel Rwanda," "Reservation Road"), Conan O'Brien, Jeff Ross and David Kissinger ("Andy Barker, P.I."). "Outlaw" is written by Eisendrath and directed by George.

Emmy Award-winning creator David E. Kelley (“The Practice,” “Boston Legal”) brings his unique storytelling to “Harry’s Law,” a series about fate and the people it brings together, starring Academy Award winner Kathy Bates (“Misery,” “About Schmidt”).

Harriet (Bates), Matthew (Ben Chaplin, “Me and Orson Welles”) and Malcolm (Aml Ameen, “Kidulthood”) couldn’t be any more different. Harriet is a curmudgeonly ex-patent lawyer who, having just been fired from her cushy job, is completely disillusioned with her success and looking for a fresh start. Her world unexpectedly collides with Malcolm’s -- a young man trying to figure out life. When he finds out Harriet is a lawyer, he begs her to represent him in an upcoming criminal case. Matthew, a dreamer at heart and also recently fired from his job as a high school teacher, is introduced to Harriet through Malcolm, a previous student of his. When these three cross paths, they realize they’re all looking for a fresh start. Now, the most unlikely of people are starting a law practice in the most unlikely of places -- a rundown shoe store. “Harry’s Law” also stars Brittany Snow (“Hairspray”) as Harriet’s assistant, Jenna Backstrom and Beatrice Rosen (“Dark Knight”) as Eve, a high school French teacher.

“Harry’s Law” is produced by Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with David E. Kelley Productions and Warner Bros. Television. David E. Kelley (“Boston Legal,” “The Practice”) and Bill D’Elia (“Boston Legal,” “The Practice”) serve as executive producers. D’Elia also serves as director.

From Oscar and Emmy winner Brian Grazer (“A Beautiful Mind,” “Arrested Development”), “Friends With Benefits” is a half-hour comedy revolving around a group of twenty-something singles as they navigate the difficult, and often confusing, world of dating. Ben Weymouth (Ryan Hansen, “Party Down”) is on the hunt for the perfect woman who meets his unique set of standards, while his best friend, Sara Maxwell (Danneel Harris, “One Tree Hill”), is just looking for a man to settle down with and raise a family. Ben and Sara have fallen into the habit of turning to each other for moral and physical support as they wait for Mr. and Ms. Right to arrive. Their friend Aaron (Fran Kranz, “Dollhouse”), a romantic at heart, doesn’t approve of Ben and Sara's complicated friendship, but he, along with womanizer Hoon (Ian Reed Kesler) and straight shooter Riley (Jessica Lucas, “Cloverfield”), are all distracted with their own dating trials and tribulations.

David Nevins (“Lie to Me,” “Arrested Development”) joins Grazer as executive producer for Imagine Television. Also serving as executive producers are David Dobkin (“Wedding Crashers”), who directs the pilot, writers Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber (“(500) Days of Summer”), and Jeff Kleeman. “Friends With Benefits” is a production of 20th Century Fox Television, Imagine Television and Big Kid Pictures.


Now in its third season that concludes with a two-hour season finale on Monday, May 24 (8-10 p.m. ET), "Chuck" is averaging a 2.4 rating, 6 share in adults 18-49 and 6.6 million viewers overall. "Chuck's" ratings increase significantly when all time-shifted viewing is added to its results, growing this season by an average of 22 percent in its 18-49 rating and more than 1.1 million persons in total viewers when going from its “live plus same day” to its “live plus seven day” results from Nielsen Media Research.

Zachary Levi (“Less Than Perfect”) stars in the title role as a regular guy working at a Buy More electronics store who becomes the government’s most vital secret agent. This season, Chuck was transformed into the Intersect 2.0 after another data download into his brain. This time around, he not only knows government secrets, but he also is well equipped with deadly fight skills. Chuck has the potential to become a real agent and gets a helping hand from one of the CIA's top agents and his dream girl Sarah Walker (Yvonne Strahovski, "Gone").

The ever stoic Colonel John Casey (Adam Baldwin, "My Bodyguard," "Firefly") returns with an unlikely new partner, Chuck’s best friend, Morgan Grimes (Joshua Gomez, “Without a Trace”). Also starring are: Sarah Lancaster ("What About Brian?") as Chuck's ever-supportive sister Ellie and Ryan McPartlin ("Living with Fran") as Devon Woodcomb (also known as "Captain Awesome"), Ellie's husband. Chuck's Buy More team consists of Big Mike (Mark Christopher Lawrence, "The Pursuit of Happyness") and the Nerd Herd, which includes Lester (Vik Sahay, "Time Bomb") and Jeff (Scott Krinsky, "The O.C.").

"Chuck" is co-created by Josh Schwartz ("The O.C.," "Gossip Girl") and Chris Fedak, and is executive-produced by Schwartz, McG ("Charlie's Angels," "We Are Marshall"), Fedak, Allison Adler and Matthew Miller. "Chuck" is produced by College Hill Pictures, Wonderland Sound and Vision, in association with Warner Bros. Television.

Original Law & Order Ends Run, Says NBC

NBC ANNOUNCES PICKUPS FOR NEW DRAMA ‘LOLA’ (‘LAW & ORDER: LOS ANGELES’) AND RETURNING ‘LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT’ AND ‘LAW & ORDER’ ENDS ITS HISTORIC RUN ON NBC MAY 24

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. – May 14, 2010 – NBC has picked up the new drama “LOLA” (“Law & Order: Los Angeles”) as well as renewed “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” for the 2010-11 season. In addition, NBC will end its historic and record-tying “Law & Order” when the mothership series concludes its 20th season on Monday, May 24 (10-11 p.m. ET).

The announcements were made today by Angela Bromstad, President, Primetime Entertainment, NBC and Universal Media Studios.

Jeff Gaspin, Chariman, NBC Universal Television Entertainment said, "The full measure of the collective contributions made by Dick Wolf and his 'Law & Order' franchise over the last two decades to the success of NBC and Universal Media Studios cannot be overstated. The legacy of his original ‘Law & Order’ series will continue to make an impact like no other series before."

Bromstad added: “‘Law & Order’ has been one of the most successful franchises in the history of television, which is why it is so critical that we continue this important brand and our relationship with Dick Wolf and his team with ‘LOLA’ and ‘Law & Order: SVU.’”

The brainchild of creator and Emmy Award winner Wolf, "Law & Order" has spawned one of the most successful brands in primetime television. It is the 1997 Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Drama Series and the record holder for the most consecutive (11) nominations in that category for a primetime series (tied with "Cheers" and "M*A*S*H"). It premiered on September 13, 1990, and eventually tied “Gunsmoke” as the longest-running drama series in television history.

The new “LOLA” (“Law & Order: Los Angeles”) is a procedural crime drama that will follow the theme and storylines similar to the “Law & Order”-brand series on the streets of Los Angeles. The series, from executive producer Dick Wolf and Blake Masters (“Brotherhood”), is a Wolf Films production in association with Universal Media Studios. Casting and pre-production work are continuing.

In its current 11th season, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" has delivered a 2.9 rating, 8 share in adults 18-49 and 9.3 million viewers overall. "Law & Order: SVU" is NBC's #1 scripted series this season in total viewers. Since moving to Wednesdays (10-11 p.m. ET) on March 3, "SVU" is #1 in the time period in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and other key ratings categories and has improved on NBC's average rating in the hour during the traditional 2008-09 season by 29 percent in adults 18-49.
“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” is a hard-hitting and emotional series from NBC's "Law & Order" brand as it chronicles the Special Victims Unit of the New York Police Department, the elite squad of detectives who investigate sexually based crimes. The drama follows Detective Elliot Stabler (Emmy Award nominee Christopher Meloni), a seasoned veteran, and his partner, Detective Olivia Benson (Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner Mariska Hargitay), whose difficult past is the reason she joined the unit.

Captain Donald Cragen (Dann Florek) oversees the unit while Detective John Munch (Richard Belzer, "Homicide: Life on the Street") brings his acerbic wit and street-honed investigative skills to the team. Munch’s partner, Detective Odafin "Fin" Tutuola (Ice-T), adds his unique sense of humor and investigative experience. Forensic psychiatrist, George Huang (B.D. Wong) and Medical Examiner Melinda Warner (Tamara Tunie) uncover forensic evidence.

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" is a Wolf Films production in association with Universal Media Studios. Wolf is creator and executive producer; Neal Baer ("ER," "China Beach"), Ted Kotcheff ("Fun with Dick and Jane," "Weekend at Bernie's") and Jankowski are executive producers.

“Law & Order: Criminal Intent” continues to air in its ninth season on USA Network.

NYTimes Predicts End to Law & Order, Maybe.

‘Law & Order’ Series Said to Be in Jeopardy
By BRIAN STELTER and BILL CARTER

NBC is having trouble making up its mind about “Law & Order.”

People who work on the pioneering crime drama were told Thursday afternoon that the show had been canceled after 20 seasons. But there were indications late Thursday that talks were continuing and that the show might still avoid a cancellation, although NBC declined to comment.

The series, produced by Dick Wolf, is tied with “Gunsmoke” as the longest-running prime-time drama on network television.

The franchise has been incredibly lucrative for the network and has spawned several successful spinoffs, including “Law & Order: S.V.U.” and “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” neither of which is likely to be affected by the final decision about the parent program.

In telephone calls Thursday afternoon, people at Mr. Wolf’s production company informed producers and actors involved with the show about the cancellation, including Fred Berner, an executive producer based in New York.

If true, he said, “it’s a kick in the gut to New York.”

By one estimate, more than 8,000 people in the city are employed, directly and indirectly, by the series and its two spinoffs, including many theatrical actors who make appearances.

On Thursday morning, NBC appeared close to canceling the program. But talks between the network and Mr. Wolf were still under way according to three people with knowledge of the talks who requested anonymity because they were not authorized by their employers to comment on the record.

Reports of the cancellation first appeared on the Web site Deadline.com.

Many in the television business had expected NBC to renew the original series this month, if only to allow Mr. Wolf to beat “Gunsmoke,” something he has long sought to achieve.

NBC executives had been quoted as saying that they expected a 21st season to go forward. Mr. Wolf and NBC have engaged in brinkmanship over the show in the past. NBC plans to announce its 2010-11 schedule on Monday in New York.

Mr. Wolf has also been in talks with NBC about another spinoff, “Law & Order: Los Angeles.” Its debut was expected to be among the announcements made by NBC on Monday.

“Law & Order” has averaged about eight million viewers so far this season, half as many as it averaged a decade ago. But in the splintering universe of broadcast television, the ratings and the profits in syndication have been high enough to sustain the series.

Almost immediately after the actors and producers were told of the possible cancellation on Thursday, there was speculation that a cable channel like TNT would give “Law & Order” a second life. But TNT, which resurrected another NBC police drama, “Southland,” last year, said it was “not in ongoing discussions” about doing so in this case.

TNT is an important player in NBC’s talks about “Law & Order” because it helps finance the production by rerunning the episodes. That licensing deal is set to expire this year.

And Sunday's World of Adventures Moves, Too

Air Date: 05/16/2010 Sunday
Start Time: 02:00:00 PM [ET]
Show Name: NBC SPORTS SPECIALS
Duration: 01:00:00
Type: Program Change
Message: Program Time Change: World of Adventure moves (Orig. sked 5-6pm ET). Clearance assumed based upon prev. advised sports clearance for this time period unless otherwise notified. Please see updated Sports Operating Conditions for this date.

Sunday Hockey Slides Back One Hour

Air Date: 05/16/2010 Sunday
Start Time: 03:00:00 PM [ET]
Show Name: NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Duration: 03:00:00
Type: Program Change
Message: Program Time Change: NHL West Conference Final Gm1 moves (orig sked. 2-5pm ET). Teams announced: Chicago @ San Jose.Clearance assumed based upon prev. advised sports clearance for this time period unless otherwise notified. Please see updated Sports Operating Conditions for this date.

Bromstad Announces Sixth New 2010-11 Season Show

NBC ANNOUNCES PICKUP OF NEW COMEDY SERIES 'PERFECT COUPLES' FOR 2010-11 SEASON

NBC has green-lit the new romantic comedy "Perfect Couples" for its 2010-11 season, it was announced today by Angela Bromstad, President, Primetime Entertainment, NBC and Universal Media Studios.

"Perfect Couples" joins previously announced "Chase," "Undercovers," "The Event," "Love Bites," and "Outsourced" as the sixth new scripted series currently unveiled for NBC's new season with additional pickups yet to be announced.

"Jon and Scott are hugely talented writer-producers and they've really delivered with 'Perfect Couples,'" said Bromstad. "The comedy includes a cast of three distinctive couples who share the same issues and will draw viewers in with their relatable stories."

"Perfect Couples" depicts the misadventures of three engaging couples as they struggle to find out what makes the ideal relationship -- and how to maintain it through humorous trial-and-error. The series explores their heroic journey in search of the perfect relationship without destroying each other in the process.

Dave (Kyle Howard, "My Boys") and Julia (Christine Woods, "Flash Forward") are the relatable, normal couple, but Julia's hope of remaining the cool, low-maintenance chick is tested by Dave's attempts to keep both his wife and his needy best friend Vance (Dave Walton, NBC's "100 Questions") equally happy. Vance, along with the neurotic Amy (Mary Elizabeth Ellis, "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia"), are the high-passion, high-drama couple who bring out the best and worst in each other.

The third duo features Rex (Hayes MacArthur, "She's Out of My League"), a reformed party guy, and, and his wife, Leigh (Olivia Munn, "Attack of the Show"), who considers herself as the group's mother hen. Believing that they are relationship experts, Rex and Leigh have attended every class and seminar on relationships -- and regard themselves as the "perfect couple."

Jon Pollack ("30 Rock") and Scott Silveri ("Friends") are the executive producers while Andy Ackerman ("Seinfeld," "The New Adventures of Old Christine") is the director. The series is produced by Universal Media Studios.

Upfront Announcements To Come Sunday Night?

[05.10.10 - 02:11 PM]
NBC TO UNVEIL 2010-11 LINEUP ON SUNDAY
By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC)

LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- NBC is getting a jump on upfront week as the Peacock will now announce its 2010-11 season lineup on Sunday, May 16.

A media alert issued this afternoon confirmed the conference call will take place at 5:15 p.m. ET.

NBC's formal presentation is Monday morning with FOX following later that day. Rounding out the week is ABC on Tuesday, May 18 with CBS on Wednesday, May 19 and The CW on Thursday, May 20.

NBC PICKS UP NEW DRAMA SERIES ‘CHASE,’ FROM JERRY BRUCKHEIMER, FOR 2010-11 SEASON

Drama Becomes NBC’s Fifth New Scripted Series Announced for New Season


UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. – May 10, 2010 – NBC has picked up its fifth scripted series pilot for the 2010-11 season in “Chase,” a new drama from Emmy Award-winning executive producer Jerry Bruckheimer (“CSI” franchise, “The Amazing Race,” “Pirates of the Caribbean” films) and executive producer Jennifer Johnson (“Cold Case”).

The announcement was made by Angela Bromstad, President, Primetime Entertainment, NBC and Universal Media Studios.


“Chase” joins previously announced "Undercovers," "The Event," "Love Bites," and "Outsourced" as the fifth new scripted series currently announced for NBC’s new season with additional pickups yet to be announced.

“Chase’ has all the undeniable elements of a thrill ride that you would expect from a Jerry Bruckheimer action series,” said Bromstad. “Equally important, it also features a great cast. Kelli Giddish is a breakout star as the lead.”

“Chase” is a fast-paced drama that drops viewers smack into the middle of a game of cat-and-mouse as a team of U.S. marshals hunts down America's most dangerous fugitives. Kelli Giddish (“Past Life”) stars as U.S. Marshal Annie Frost, a cowboy boot-wearing deputy whose sharp mind and unique Texas upbringing help her track down the violent criminals on the run.

Cole Hauser (“K-Ville”), Amaury Nolasco (“Prison Break”), Rose Rollins ("The L Word”) and Jesse Metcalfe (“Desperate Housewives”) also star as members of Frost’s elite team.

“Chase” is produced by Bonanza Productions Inc., in association with Jerry Bruckheimer Television and Warner Bros. Television. Bruckheimer, Jonathan Littman (“CSI” franchise, “The Amazing Race,” "Cold Case”) and Johnson serve as executive producers, while KristieAnne Reed is co-executive producer. David Nutter (“The Mentalist,” “Without a Trace” “The X-Files”) directed and is executive producer of the pilot which was written by Johnson.

RDRx Clients: Shall I Lower Golf Estimates?

Like I said below last Thursday, I'm not a golf fan. But even I know that Tiger Woods' awful showing and first cut in years at Quail Creek last week and his dropping out of The Players today does not bode well for upcoming May golf on NBC.

If NTI numbers show a decided decline in equivalent Sunday ratings compared to the last couple of years, I'll recommend you allow me to lower audience estimates for coming PGA events. Do you really want to make up weight for this up during political?

NBC Announces 3 New Series for 2010-11 Season

Attention NBC Affiliate Board, General Managers, Corporate Executives, General Sales Managers, Program Directors and News Directors:
We wanted to share with you the following news just before it gets released to the press.


NBC PICKS UP THREE NEW SERIES FOR 2010-11 SEASON WITH ‘THE EVENT,’ ‘OUTSOURCED’ AND ‘LOVE BITES’

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. – May 7, 2010 – NBC has given series pickups for its 2010-11 season to the dramatic thriller "The Event," the comedy "Outsourced" and the romantic anthology series "Love Bites."

The announcement was made today by Angela Bromstad, President, Primetime Entertainment, NBC and Universal Media Studios.

"Each of these three series reflects a unique point of view and distinct style of quality that fits perfectly with NBC’s dedication to rebuilding the schedule," said Bromstad. "These series showcase excellent writing and casting, and represent the kind of scripted programming our network and studio are committed to producing."

"The Event" is an emotional high-octane conspiracy thriller that follows Sean Walker (Jason Ritter, "The Class"), an Everyman who investigates the mysterious disappearance of his fiancée, Leila (Sarah Roemer, "Disturbia"), and unwittingly begins to expose the biggest cover-up in U.S. history. Sean's quest will send ripples through the lives of an eclectic band of strangers, including: newly elected U.S. President Martinez (Blair Underwood, "Dirty Sexy Money"); Sophia (Emmy Award nominee Laura Innes, "ER"), who is the leader of a mysterious group of detainees; and Sean’s shadowy father-in-law (Scott Patterson, "Gilmore Girls"). Their futures are on a collision course in a global conspiracy that could ultimately change the fate of mankind.

Ian Anthony Dale ("Daybreak") and Emmy winner Željko Ivanek (“Damages”) also star in the ensemble drama.

“The Event” is a production of Universal Media Studios and Steve Stark Productions. Stark (“Medium,” “Facing Kate”) serves as executive producer, Nick Wauters ("The 4400," "Eureka") is creator/co-executive producer and Jeffrey Reiner (“Friday Night Lights,” “Trauma”) is the director/executive producer.

“Outsourced” is a comedy where the Midwest meets the exotic East in a hilarious culture clash. The series centers on the all-American company Mid America Novelties that sells whoopee cushions, foam fingers and wallets made of bacon -- and whose call center has suddenly been outsourced to India. Todd Dempsy (Ben Rappaport, off-Broadway's “The Gingerbread House”) is the new company’s manager who learns that he’s being transferred to India to run the operation.

Overwhelmed, Todd discovers that his new staff needs a crash course in all things American if they are to understand the U.S. product line and ramp up sales from halfway around the world. But as strange as America seems to his eclectic sales team, Todd soon realizes that figuring out India will be more than a full-time job. Rizwan Manji (“Privileged”), Sacha Dhawan (BBC’s “Five Days II”), Rebecca Hazlewood (BBC’s “Doctors”), Parvesh Cheena (“Help Me Help You”), and Anisha Nagarajan (Broadway’s “Bombay Dreams”) also star as members of Dempsy’s off-shore team; Diedrich Bader (“The Drew Carey Show”) and Jessica Gower (Network Ten’s “The Secret Life of Us”) additionally star.

“Outsourced” is produced by Universal Media Studios. Robert Borden (“The Drew Carey Show” and “George Lopez”) is executive producer/writer. Ken Kwapis (“The Office”) developed the project through his company, In Cahoots, and serves as executive producer/director. Alex Beattie serves as co-executive producer.

From Emmy Award-winning writer-producer Cindy Chupack (“Sex and the City”), “Love Bites” is an hour-long romantic comedy anthology series featuring three loosely connected, modern stories of love, sex, marriage and dating. Each episode contains multiple vignettes, all illuminating the theme of love with an edgy, irreverent spin.
Becki Newton (“Ugly Betty”) stars as Annie and Jordana Spiro (“My Boys”) stars as Frannie, the last two single girls standing after all of their friends get married. Annie is an infectiously bubbly optimist and Frannie is an always-a-bridesmaid realist. Their story will anchor the series, while other romantically-challenged characters will come and go each week.

The pilot's guest cast includes Jennifer Love Hewitt (“Ghost Whisperer”), Greg Grunberg (“Heroes”), Craig Robinson (“The Office”), Jason Lewis (“Sex and the City”), Lindsay Price (“Lipstick Jungle”), Larry Wilmore (“The Daily Show”), Charlyne Yi (“Knocked Up”), Pamela Adlon (“Californication”), Stacy Galina (“Hidden Hills”), Brian Hallisay (“Privileged”), Kyle Howard (“My Boys”) and Steve Howey (“Bride Wars”).

“Love Bites” is a production of Universal Media Studios and Working Title Television, which is a new division of Working Title Films (the U.K. production company behind box office hits including “Love Actually,” “Bridget Jones's Diary” and “Four Weddings and a Funeral”). Chupack is creator, executive producer and writer. Emmy Award-winning producer-director Marc Buckland (“My Name Is Earl”) also is executive producer and directs the pilot. Eric Fellner, Tim Bevan and Shelley McCrory from Working Title Television are executive producers. “Love Bites” is Working Title Television’s first U.S. commission.

Golf Contingencies for this weekend

Please note: For Monday, 5/10 Golf on NBC is possible: In the unlikely event a winner cannot be determined on Sunday 5/9 (due to either weather, delayed play or darkness) the conclusion of the tournament will be held on Monday 5/10 and televised on NBC at 10am in each time zone. NOTE: If 2 or more players are tied after 18 holes on Sunday, play goes immediately into Sudden Death. Daylight permitting, they will play as many Sudden Death holes as needed on Sunday. Sunset at the site of play is at apx 8:08pm ET. Please see updated operating conditions for this day.

I admit I don't watch golf, but I will keep an eye on this Sunday afternoon/evening and post a heads up. If there's no Monday airing, you won't see anything else.

It's Spring, and life is good.