As part of its restructuring plan announced by NBC Universal, NBC will no longer program any scripted series in the 8:00 PM time-period on weeknights beginning next season.
Citing increased development and production costs as the reasoning, NBC network chief Jeff Zucker has announced plans to replace all drama in the time-period with reality or game-shows only. “It’s good economics,” Zucker says, “concentrate the high-cost shows at 10 p.m. and the inexpensive game and reality shows at 8 p.m., and you won’t need to air as many expensive shows.”
Only time will tell if this strategy will pay off, but one wonders what will happen to the few shows currently airing in the 8PM time-period. Those shows include “Friday Night Lights” on Tuesday, “30 Rock” and “Twenty Good Years” on Wednesday, and “My Name Is Earl” and “The Office” on Thursday nights.
