NBC is gearing up for an exciting fall 2025 schedule, with a focus on live sports dominating three nights of the week. One of the most anticipated additions to the lineup is the arrival of the NBA on Tuesday nights in October. NBCUniversal Entertainment’s president of program planning strategy, Jeff Bader, expressed the network’s excitement about this new partnership, calling the NBA the biggest new show of the fall season.
The addition of the NBA to NBC’s lineup required some adjustments to accommodate the existing returning shows. Following the recent cancellation of several series, NBC now has seven dramas and two comedies set to return. In addition to the returning favorites, viewers can look forward to a few new shows entering the mix. One notable addition is the unscripted series “On Brand With Jimmy Fallon,” which will air twice a week in September before the NBA season kicks off.
The surviving comedies, “St. Denis Medical” and “Happy’s Place,” will make their return in November and serve as launching pads for new comedy series on different nights. NBC plans to restructure its Monday lineup by cutting down the Monday edition of “The Voice” to one hour and introducing a new comedy block with “St. Denis Medical” at 8 p.m. As for Fridays, “On Brand” will make way for Reba McEntire’s “Happy’s Place” at 8 p.m., paired with another new sitcom.
The new comedy shows set to air after “St. Denis Medical” and “Happy’s Place” are still in the works, with three contenders vying for the slots. These include “The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins” starring Tracy Morgan and Daniel Radcliffe, “Stumble” from Jeff and Liz Astrof, and an untitled project about a community center from Sierra Teller Ornelas. While “Reggie Dinkins” secured a series order, the other two shows are in the pilot stage awaiting a decision from NBC.
On the drama front, NBC’s lineup remains stable with shows like “Chicago Med,” “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago P.D.,” “Law & Order,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “Brilliant Minds,” and “The Hunting Party” holding their respective time slots. The network is committed to supporting its sophomore shows by giving “Brilliant Minds” a full season order and extending “The Hunting Party” to a 13-episode season.
Looking ahead, NBC has plans for a nature docuseries titled “Surviving Earth” and major events like the Super Bowl and Winter Olympics in winter 2026. The network is strategizing on how to leverage these events to launch new shows and maintain a strong programming lineup. While the fall season may kick off with fewer scripted hours than usual, NBC remains focused on delivering a diverse mix of scripted, alternative, and sports programming to viewers.
In conclusion, NBC’s fall 2025 schedule promises a mix of familiar favorites and exciting new additions, setting the stage for a dynamic and engaging lineup for viewers to enjoy.
