NBC 2019-2020 Fantasy Schedule

Our resident script reader Jean-Maxime Renault has read the pilot scripts for almost all of this year's series pickups heading into upfront week. For his detailed thoughts on all of the year's contenders, be sure to check out his pilot script reviews. 

At a tme when all of network television is having a tough time staying relevant among streaming platforms and other offerings, NBC's priority for the coming year is to keep its No. 1 place in the 18-49 demo. Given this, they'll probably want to play it safe, and that’s what our fantasy schedule for the network reflects. Their biggest challenge is finding a way to give newbies the best chance without sacrificing sophomore dramas in the process. 

Here’s the score card...

....and here's how NBC's fall schedule would look if I was programming it:

The post-Voice slot on Monday is traditionally used to launch new shows but it feels like Manifest, even if it lost some steam after its very strong first few weeks, managed to stay at a decent-enough level to keep the slot for one more season. The Voice is not the beast it once was -- and consequently not the lead-in it once was -- and this spring's ratings aren't reassuring. If Manifest's sophomore season consists of 16 episodes again (and it should) NBC can still launch a newbie there around March and it should go to either Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist or Lincoln (if ordered).

The Tuesday 10pm slot is probably the strongest available right now and NBC can't afford to keep New Amsterdam there. The medical drama had good retention following This Is Us and in another situation, it would deserve to keept the slot for at least one more season but right now, NBC needs it to launch something new. The emotional family-driven legal drama. Bluff City Law is a solid option. On paper, Council Of Dads may seem more logical, but putting two family dramas back to back could be dangerous, especially when the shiny new one has to go after the highly-praised and beloved significant other.

Everyone knew, even before NBC itself, that a "One Chicago" night was the right way to go on Wednesday. They finally did it and we were all proven right. There's no reason to change that. 

NBC could totally have tried a drama expansion on Thursday, like they wanted to two years ago when they initially scheduled This Is Us at 9 before changing their minds a few days later. But they still want to be in the comedy business and just one hour per week seems very low, especially with what's renewed already. Although immigration-themed Sunnyside looks like a niche comedy that won't attract a large crowd, there's a logic in pairing it with Superstore. They're both very diverse and political. The Good Place can slide to 9pm, while multicam Will & Grace could use a less competitive Mom-free slot. Sophomore drama New Amsterdam could end up at 10  -- in the old ER timeslot -- where the competition (currently How to Get Away with Murder and S.W.A.T.) isn't all that ferocious. 

If rumors are true, Law & Order: SVU may be close to an end. The record-breaking longest-running drama could enter its 21st season on Fridays, where it lived for the first four years of its life. At this point, it should be treated with respect, but not prioritized over younger dramas. Plus, it would be a good lead-in for Dateline. At 8, NBC should have no problem airing The Blacklist which was at 9 this year. Blindspot could come back there in the Spring for its last stretch of episodes. 

No surprise here.

Blindspot – Fridays starting in the Spring.

Good Girls – Sundays starting in the Winter/Spring.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine - Returning to Thursdays in the Winter/Spring.

Perfect Harmony - Midseason lauch in The Good Place's slot.

Council Of Dads - Midseason lauch in This Is Us' slot.

Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist - Midseason lauch in Manifest or Bluff City Law 's slot.

The Kenan Show - Summer launch with the 2020 Olympics.
 

We'll have complete coverage of NBC's upfront presentation on Monday May 13th. In the meantime, join us in our forums to share your opinion!

Jean-Maxime Renault is a TV addict based in Paris who writes about television and movies on AlloCiné (aka "the French IMDB"). In 2015 he created Season Zero, a website about television development and pilot season, which is now a part of Primetimer. Follow him on Twitter @SeasonZeroCom