NBC Announces Mid-Season Schedule

NBC is hoping to shake things up a bit ratings-wise with its mid-season schedule.  After a disappointing fall, the Peacock network will have a unique opportunity to hype its returning and mid-season series when they broadcast the Super Bowl on February 2nd. 

NBC was considering airing a revamped “Knight Rider” after the Super Bowl but will, instead turn that time slot over to a one-hour episode of the Emmy-winning comedy, “The Office.”   “Knight Rider” will continue in its Wednesday time slot, but NBC has cut back on the episode order.  The network had given a green light to a full season of 22 episodes, but has now cut back to 17 episodes and will end the show’s first season on February 25. 

We previously reported that the series is undergoing a major revamping, including the trimming of cast members and a new focus.  The decision to trim back after news that the show is revamping may not be good news for “Rider.”

NBC also considered launching the fourth arc for “Heroes” after the Super Bowl, but will instead air the launch of volume 4 the next Monday.

There is good news for Monday’s block of shows, most of which should receive heavy promotion during the Super Bowl.  “Chuck” and “Heroes” will return on Monday, February 3.  “Chuck” will air a 3-D episode that evening and “Heroes” will launch its fourth story arc.  At 10 p.m. EST, “Medium” returns for a new season.

In other news, it appears that Donald Trump will be back for a new season of “The Apprentice.”  The series will run two hour episodes on Sunday evenings according to the Hollywood Reporter.   And the long-running “ER” will conclude its final season in March.