2011 - `12 Network Television 

Fall Season Preview

Links To In-Depth Coverage Of Each Network's Fall Season Schedule

NBC

The Playboy Club

 

(NBC - May 16th, 2011. - Editor)           It has been more than a few years since The NBC Television Network could celebrate a position at the top of the ratings. But this season promises to be a good building year for The Peacock Network. Reality shows and primetime football still account for a large slice of the network's primetime schedule, but there is a movement to return to the one hour dramas and half hour comedies that made this network, and all the others, and great deal of money in the past. We don't see any major name comedy talents being attracted to this year's line up, but there are a few efforts featuring new faces that could have some potential. Likewise there are no major names coming to the drama line up, but a few of the offerings look like they might have a chance.

 

ABC

Charlie`s Angels

 

ABC - May 17th, 2011. - Editor)           With 7 new shows ready to launch in the fall and another 6 waiting in the wings as mid-season replacements, ABC has a deep roster of offerings and is ready to challenge for a spot at or near the top of the ratings in several time slots. This network has also returned to the more traditional scripted dramas and comedies, but the lessons learned about how cheaply reality shows can be made, has not been lost on he network and that fact could figure into the networks fallback position if the wave of new shows does not meet expectations.

CBS

Person Of Interest

 

(CBS - May 18th, 2011. - Editor)           With 19 returning shows, CBS plans a lot more of the same w inning formula that has kept the network ahead in the ratings race in recent years. Last season, the network delivered the number one new comedy and the number one new one hour drama. CBS also replaced the number one drama from the previous season, C.S.I., with a new number one series with N.C.I.S. and turned over the number one comedy, Two And A Half Men, for a new number one with Big Bang Theory. This network knows how to get to the top of the ratings and how to stay there.

 

FOX

Terra Nova

 

(FOX - May 16th, 2011. - Editor)           Fox has been enjoying some solid ratings gains in the past television season. But the network still shows no signs of expanding to a completely competitive line up with a show up against every show fielded by the big three. In fact this season will have even less one hour dramas and half hour comedies. Instead there will be yet another reality show taking up three hours a week and a Saturday night that will offer even less interesting programs, as America's Most Wanted is reduced to rerun episodes and stops production. There is a faint glimmer of hope with the Steven Speilberg production Terra Nova. While the premise may be a little unusual, we can certainly expect the series to be creative and very different from the usual fare. Delays kept the series from being a part of last season, but at least the extra time should mean that when this series finally does arrive on the screen, it should be a well produced series. The rest of the schedule seems to be an attempt by the network to maintain those successes that remain in the line up, while developing only a very small number of additional shows.

 

CW

Ringer

 

(CW - May 19th, 2011. - Editor)               The CW Network is playing it safe for another year. Reality series will be a big part of the schedule once the very thin list of new and returning shows have played their run. The short schedule and limited distribution for this network continues to prevent them from becoming a factor in the ratings race. But there are few shows that are worth finding on this tiny network.