5 things to know about a different kind of season
Rumors of television's COVID-related demise have been greatly exaggerated.
Yes, there will be a fall TV season this year. It will just look a lot different. (Example: For the first time in nearly 20 years, “Survivor” isn't part of the CBS fall lineup).
With that inmind, wepresent a cursory overview of the current state of the television industry and howit impacts what you can watch in the comingmonths. Here arefive important things to know about fall TV programming:
1. Plan on late arrivals: Because of production delays, mostnewand returning scripted series won't make their traditional September debuts. Many hadn't even been scheduled as of thiswriting. The fewthat are scheduled — such as NBC's “This IsUs” and “The Blacklist” — won't premiere until early-to-mid-November. Our advice: Refer often to the ever-changing fall TV calendar.
2. Hand-me-downs galore: With so many holes to fill, the networks will rely on shows imported from other platforms, orcountries. CBS, for example, will air “Star Trek: Discovery,” from theCBS AllAccess streaming site, and“OneDayataTime,” a comedy reboot that originated on Netflix, was canceled and then made itsway to Pop TV. Meanwhile, Fox has “L.A.'s Finest,” a crime dramathatoriginallyairedon the Spectrumcable system.
The networks also went beyond U.S. borders to find content. Two examples: The NBC medical drama “Transplant” is a Canadian production, and TheCWhas “Devils,” a financial thriller made in Italy.
3. Throwout the script: Also filling the gaps will be plenty of reality TV and game shows. At least early on, ABC will lean heavily on fare like “Celebrity Family Feud,”“PressYourLuck” and “Match Game,” along with “Dancing With the Stars,” “SharkTank” and“TheBachelorette.”
Then in October, ABC will debut“SupermarketSweep,” a revival of a game showthat first aired in the 1960s.
4. Exhibiting some shelf life: Onthe bright side, some shows that were originally planned for earlier this year, but were held back, will finally surface. Fox, for example, will finally air the soapy Kim Cattrall drama “Filthy Rich,” and the sci-fi event series“Next.” Oncable, three miniseries originally pegged for spring or summer — “Fargo” (FX), “The Undoing” (HBO) and “The Good Lord Bird” (Showtime) — will be among fall's most anticipated offerings.
5. Football still rules: The NFL is always a huge ratings draw (NBC's “Sunday Night Football” averaged 20.5 million viewers per game last year). Now with network programming delayed, and stadiums drastically limiting attendance, the games could attract even more viewerswho are ready for some football — and a sense of normalcy.
That's all contingent, of course, onwhether the NFL can complete its regular 256game schedule without pandemic-related hitches.