We’re only halfway through 2024, and NBC has already made some tough decisions regarding its TV lineup. While several shows from the 2023-24 season have been renewed, others haven’t been as fortunate. From new series like “Extended Family” to long-standing favorites like “Quantum Leap,” the network has shown that no show is immune to cancellation.
One of the most surprising changes involves “Law & Order: Organized Crime.” Although not entirely canceled, the show is moving to Peacock after four seasons on NBC. This shift feels odd, especially since it separates “Organized Crime” from the other “Law & Order” series still airing on NBC. The show will have a 10-episode run on Peacock, with no restrictions on episode length, which could be beneficial. However, it remains to be seen how this move will affect potential crossovers within the franchise. All four seasons are currently available for streaming on Peacock.
Another notable cancellation is “Magnum P.I.” The CBS reboot was saved by NBC in 2022, with the first part of Season 5 airing in early 2023 and the second half later in the year. NBC had already announced that Season 5 would be the final season, and fans bid farewell to Magnum and his team at the beginning of the year. The first four seasons are available on Prime Video.
“Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge” also met its end. Premiering in May 2023, the show featured contestants transforming cars with personal significance into Hot Wheels-style vehicles. Despite its unique premise, the series ran for only 10 episodes before NBC announced its cancellation in March.
“LA Fire & Rescue,” another show that didn’t make the cut, was Dick Wolf’s latest venture into non-fiction. The series followed the daily lives and emergencies of real firefighters, paramedics, and lifeguards in the LA County Fire Department. Premiering in June 2023, it ran for eight episodes before being canceled in March, alongside “Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge.”
“Extended Family” is another casualty that stings, especially since it barely had a chance to find its footing. Despite a star-studded cast featuring Jon Cryer, Donald Faison, and Abigail Spencer, the show couldn’t secure a lasting spot on NBC’s lineup. The sitcom, which centered on a couple navigating an amicable divorce while co-parenting, premiered in December and aired 13 episodes through March. Unfortunately, it had a soft launch and was canceled in May. All episodes are available for streaming on Peacock.
The “Quantum Leap” reboot also faced an unexpected cancellation. Premiering in 2022, the series was axed in April after just two seasons due to low ratings. The decision came less than a month after the Season 2 finale aired in March. Both seasons are available for streaming on Peacock.
These cancellations reflect a broader trend in the broadcast television landscape, which has been significantly impacted over the past three years. The pandemic and Hollywood’s historic dual strikes in 2023 caused production delays, leading to fewer pilots and a shift toward year-round development. Networks are now focusing more on unscripted content, cutting costs, and redirecting development funds toward streaming platforms.
Frances Berwick now has sole oversight of NBC following a larger restructuring that saw Susan Rovner’s departure from NBCUniversal. Other networks like ABC, CBS, The CW, and Fox continue under their current leadership. The shortened 2023-24 seasons of scripted shows, delayed due to the strikes, have also contributed to the cancellations. With shorter seasons and cost-cutting measures, many veteran shows are ending, and new comedies and dramas are being pushed to the 2024-25 season.
This shift means networks will have fewer needs for new shows, leading to a reduced volume of pilots. CBS, for instance, is skipping pilot orders altogether this season, while Fox and The CW are exploring other models. As networks focus on getting established shows back into production, new series are being held for future seasons rather than being rushed to air.
NBC’s fall 2024 lineup includes a mix of returning favorites and new shows. Blockbusters like “The Voice” and “Law & Order: SVU” are back, along with intriguing new series like “Brilliant Minds” and “St. Denis Medical.” “Brilliant Minds,” inspired by the life of neurologist Oliver Sacks, explores the human mind through the eyes of a revolutionary neurologist and his team. “St. Denis Medical” is a mockumentary about an underfunded Oregon hospital, featuring a dedicated but overworked staff.
Other new shows include “Happy’s Place,” starring Reba McEntire as a woman who inherits her father’s bar and discovers she has a new business partner in a half-sister she never knew. The show also features McEntire’s real-life boyfriend, Rex Linn, and her former “Reba” co-star Melissa Peterman.
NBC’s specials for 2024 include the People’s Choice Country Awards, “Defying Gravity: The Curtain Rises on Wicked,” Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, The National Dog Show, “Little Big Town’s Christmas at the Opry,” and the NBC New Year’s Eve Celebration.
As the 2024-25 broadcast season approaches, NBC and other networks will continue to make decisions that shape the future of television. While some shows will be missed, the evolving landscape promises new opportunities and exciting content for viewers.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter, NBC
