Networks raise scripted counts 2026-27

Deadline reported on May 15 that all four major U.S. broadcast networks increased their scripted counts for the 2026-27 season after unveiling schedules during this week’s upfront presentations in New York. ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC each added scripted volume versus the current season, a reversal from the pullback that followed the 2023 strikes, according to Deadline. Variety reported the same week that programmers also changed how they described their lineups, pushing some high-profile scripted shows to later launches and treating “midseason” more like a second fall. (abc.com) ### Which networks actually raised scripted volume? Deadline said on May 15 that every major broadcast network — ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC — raised its scripted series count for 2026-27 compared with 2025-26. The outlet described the move as a comeback for broadcast scripted programming after several seasons shaped by cost pressure, strikes and heavier reliance on unscripted and sports. ABC said on May 12 that it had renewed its entire scripted lineup and would again expand its original scripted slate in midseason with the addition of “The Rookie: North.” CBS said on April 15 that its 2026-27 fall schedule included new scripted series such as “NCIS: New York,” “Cupertino,” “Einstein” and “Eternally Yours.” NBC said on May 11 that it had greenlit four new scripted series: dramas “Line of Fire” and “The Rockford Files,” and comedies “Newlyweds” and “Sunset P.I.” (deadline.com) Fox said on May 11 that it unveiled its 2026-27 programming slate at its upfront presentation in New York. (deadline.com) Deadline included Fox in the group of four broadcasters with higher scripted counts for next season. ### Why were networks talking about midseason so much? Variety reported on May 15 that “midseason is the new fall” during this year’s upfront cycle, with companies de-emphasizing the old model of fixed September launches and standard timeslot grids. The trade publication said several networks avoided the usual detailed timeslot announcements and instead sold advertisers on broader slates spanning broadcast, streaming and sports. (abc.com) ABC offered one of the clearest examples on May 12. (thefutoncritic.com) The Disney-owned network moved “High Potential,” which Variety called ABC’s signature primetime drama hit, out of the fall schedule and into midseason, while placing the “Scrubs” revival in the fall. ABC’s own announcement said the network would increase original scripted programming in midseason for a second straight year. ### What were networks selling to advertisers besides scripted shows? NBCUniversal said on May 11 that its upfront presentation focused on “the next era of media and advertising,” while also promoting Peacock, NBC Sports and entertainment programming. (variety.com) Mark Marshall, NBCUniversal’s chairman of global advertising and partnerships, said in a company post before the event that broadcast still delivers in the streaming era. Variety said live sports remained central across the week even as executives used scripted announcements to show pipeline and stability. (variety.com) The publication’s recap covered presentations from NBCUniversal, Fox, Amazon, Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, Netflix and YouTube, underscoring how broadcast schedules now sit inside broader cross-platform sales pitches. ### How did the trade press judge the week’s presentations? Deadline said on May 14 that Disney and Netflix were the “sizzle” stories of the compressed upfront week, while NBCUniversal “fizzled” in its early scorecard. (nbcuniversal.com) The outlet said those judgments reflected presentation execution and event momentum, not final ad-market results, which it said could not be known immediately. Deadline’s separate May 15 piece on broadcast scripted counts focused less on showmanship than on volume. (variety.com) Taken together, the two reports showed one split in this year’s upfront coverage: one set of stories tracked presentation winners and losers, while another tracked how many scripted hours broadcasters were putting back on their schedules. ### What comes next as the 2026-27 season takes shape? The networks’ next milestones are premiere-date announcements, additional midseason pickups and fall launch plans that fill in the schedules outlined this week. (deadline.com) ABC has already posted its fall 2026 lineup and said “The Rookie: North” will join in midseason, while CBS, Fox and NBC have released 2026-27 schedule frameworks through their upfront materials and affiliated press releases. (abc.com) (deadline.com)