Law & Order and Law & Order: Criminal Intent Renewed, CI Moving to USA Network [Update] May 13, 2007 8:33 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Law & Order, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, NBC, NBC Universal, News, Renewals, Television, USA Network.trackback
NBC Universal announced today the renewals of two of their shows, with NBC renewing the original Law & Order for an 18th season, and Criminal Intent moving to sister network USA for its 7th season.
[Update] Law and Order: Criminal Intent will premiere on USA on Thursday, October 4 at 10:00 p.m.
Both series had been feared to be canceled due to declining ratings. Law and Order needs only two more seasons to tie Gunsmoke as the longest running drama series.
In the USA Network deal for Criminal Intent, 22 episodes will be produced and have their first run on the network, with a re purposed run on NBC.
The full press release follows below.
ALL THREE “LAW & ORDER”- BRANDED SERIES WILL CONTINUE ON THE NETWORKS OF NBC UNIVERSAL
NBC CHANGES THE TELEVISION LANDSCAPE ONCE AGAIN,
AS ‘CRIMINAL INTENT’ MOVES TO TOP-RATED USA NETWORK THIS FALL, WITH A SECOND WINDOW ON NBC
‘LAW & ORDER’ WILL RETURN FOR UNRIVALED 18TH SEASON ON NBC
AS PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED, ‘LAW & ORDER: SVU’ RETURNS TO NBC IN THE FALL
NEW YORK – May 13, 2007 – NBC Universal is bringing back all three “Law & Order’-branded series for the 2007- 2008 television season.
“Law & Order” will return to the NBC network for an unprecedented 18th season. It joins the previously announced “Law & Order: SVU” on the network’s prime time schedule. “Law & Order” is the longest running crime drama in television history, and second only to the longest running drama series “Gunsmoke,” which ran for 20 years, from 1955 to 1975.
In a groundbreaking move, the acclaimed drama “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” will move from NBC to USA, the top-rated basic cable network, which is owned by NBC Universal. “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” will return for its seventh season with its premiere runs on USA, followed by an encore play on NBC. USA is the #1 basic cable network, among households, total viewers, and all key demos. For the last six seasons, “Criminal Intent” has run first on NBC and then had its second window on USA. Beginning next year, that scenario flips.
“With this innovative programming move, we have significantly strengthened the already powerful USA network, given NBC maximum flexibility, and in the process have changed the paradigm of prime time television,” said Jeff Zucker, NBC Universal’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “By changing the traditional way programs are rolled out, we have reinforced NBC Universal’s forward thinking approach to new programming strategies and our willingness to embrace bold thinking. In the end, it is all about our viewers. And this will allow our viewers continuing access to the finest programming across the premier networks of NBC Universal.” Zucker added, “We are thrilled to continue our successful business relationship with Dick Wolf and his team.”
Creator/Executive Producer Dick Wolf said, “I am thrilled and delighted that Wolf Films and NBC Universal will continue the longest running and most successful partnership in television. This is a win-win for everybody. With all three Law & Orders on the air, formats of ‘SVU’ and ‘CI’ on in Russia and France, and discussions ongoing in other territories, this new deal encourages and enhances our mutual desire for our companies to become a major force in global television. This is the tip of the sphere of a new media paradigm.”
He added, “I am very grateful that ‘Law & Order’ is coming back for its 18th season on NBC. Creatively, the show is still firing on all cylinders and I have no doubt that the show’s quality can and will continue for years to come. We are scheduled to celebrate our 400th episode next season, which is a milestone that is absolutely staggering. And we are now one year closer to my ultimate dream – to become the longest running drama in the history of television, beating Gunsmoke.” Wolf continued, “SVU redefined the network/cable broadcast model when it premiered in 1999, by creating a repurposed window on basic cable for a network show. Now Criminal Intent adds a new dimension to that model, with a groundbreaking licensing of a repurpose window in reverse, to the network. CI enjoyed a creative resurgence last season and I expect the new USA/NBC dual broadcast window will bring new life to the show in its seventh year.”
“‘Law and Order’ has remained one of NBC’s defining series and dependable performers for its entire, formidable 17 year run.” said Kevin Reilly, President, NBC Entertainment, “We’re so pleased that Dick Wolf and his talented team of producers will continue this legacy of quality storytelling on NBC.”
“‘Law and Order: Criminal Intent’ is perfect for USA — smart, character-driven programming that’s already a proven hit with our viewers,” said Bonnie Hammer, president of USA Network and SCI FI Channel. “It’s also a blockbuster procedural, a terrific complement to the award-winning ‘Monk’ and last year’s top-rated new show, ‘Psych’. Combined with the powerhouse WWE and the rest of the network’s dynamic slate, it ensures that USA will continue to dominate the cable landscape and remain #1.”
The “Law & Order” brand accounts for the #1, 2 and 3 off-network primetime series on basic cable through the first four months of 2007 in adults 25-54, with “Criminal Intent” on USA (1.020 million adults 25-54), “SVU” on USA (945,000 adults 25-54) and “Law & Order” on TNT (864,000 adults 25-54).
More than 100 million viewers watch the “Law & Order” dramas on cable or broadcast each month, making it television’s most-watched drama franchise.
“Law & Order” runs in syndication on TNT. “Law & Order: SVU” is also seen in national syndication on USA, Bravo and on weekends on local broadcast stations. Starting this fall, “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” will air on local broadcast stations on a Monday through Friday basis, as well as continuing to air on USA and Bravo.
The “Law & Order” franchise is also seen in hundreds of territories around the world and has continued its expansion overseas with new format deals for “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” (France and Russia) and “Law & Order: SVU” (Russia).
“Law & Order” is the most successful brand in primetime television. The realistic program looks at crime and justice from a dual perspective. Some cases may be simple, but most are multi-faceted. The investigations are challenging, prosecutions are complicated, and decisions about legal procedures and plea-bargaining are vexing.
Fridays at 10 p.m. (ET), the original “Law & Order” has averaged a 2.7 rating, 8 share in adults 18-49 and 9.0 million viewers overall. “Law & Order” has improved the time period versus NBC’s year-ago 18-49 average by 12 percent and is Friday’s most upscale series on any network (in concentration of adults 18-49 living in homes with $100,000-plus incomes).
“Law & Order: SVU” chronicles the life and crimes of the Special Victims Unit of the New York Police Department, the elite squad of detectives who investigate sexually based crimes.
Tuesdays at 10 p.m. (ET), “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” is #1 in the time period in every key ratings category and an original “SVU” hasn’t lost the slot in adults 18-49 to regular competition in more than two years. For the season, “SVU” has delivered a 4.2 rating, 11 share in adults 18-49 and 12.0 million viewers overall. This season, “SVU” built on its 18-49 lead-in by 50 percent.
“Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” takes viewers into the minds of its criminals while following the psychological approaches the Major Case Squad uses to solve the crimes.
Tuesdays at 9 p.m. (ET), “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” has averaged a 2.8 rating, 7 share in adults 18-49 and 8.9 million viewers overall for the 2006-07 television season. “Criminal Intent” has built on its 18-49 lead-in by 27 percent in adults 18-49.
All three ‘Law & Order’ programs are produced by Wolf Films and NBC Universal Television Studios.
Source: NBC Universal
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Smart move NBC! I have been watching all of the “Law and Order” series since they began. I am very pleased that they are all being renewed. I think that CI is really the best of the three but only when Goran and Eames are the featured characters. I definately believe that how and where they are schudled has a lot to do with the ratings.
Oh Happy Day!!! Thank you for renewing all three Law & Order’s! Criminal Intent is my favorite, can’t beat Goren & Eames. Good job NBC
I understand that actor Jermey Sisto will join the Law & Order cast this fall season. He is a favorite of mine. Six Feet Under was where I discovered him. Can anyone confirm this infomation? Law & Order will be making a smart move adding him as a regular character. He’s due for main stream TV/Movies. Good move NBC!
We are reallly looking forward to the new season of LAW AND ORDER.
It is the best drama series on TV
When will I start?
-Heather and Ken
Vincent D’onofrino is one of the best actors on TV, if not TheBest. Also, Criminal Intent is the best program on TV. I have been anxiously waiting for the show to continue. When will it continue?
Right now all I can do is watch all the reruns. It’s time to see some new shows. Bernard Effron March 18, 2008
i wish that i can see any new seasons for law and order c i i really loved this show since i saw the first episode but to be able to see it on mbc action for the middle east
and by the way vincent d onofrio is the best and hottest actor ever he can make the character he played goren sooooo exsiting and curios wt he would do next as a man i really adore him i wish that i can talk to him or see him more than any thing in the world mauuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh
there is no better actor than vincent d onofrio !!!!!!
What has happeded to the new season show?
Last week the TV listings told us the season premier was going to be
last Friday night, but it was changed. This week, again the weekly TV listing hyped the L&O CI Opening, but Starter Wife was on instead.
What’s the big hold up for?
Not fair to loyal fans!
We Have to wait until when in 2009?? Still Very vague in their programming info, what’s up with that?? Is Vinnie having trouble
getting his life together? He doesn’t look well, the past year, something’s going on that’s troubling him. Does it affect production?
Viking Sue;
The USA Network has announced that LOCI S8’s airing has been postpond, so all 16 epis can be aired “uninterrupted”; considdering it’s very “strong”.
And according to the shooting schedules, Vincent’s actually doing “back-to-back” double epis, so he’s doing fine, not to worry.
Hope things’ll always be great for Vincent, and his dedicated fans;
Saghy