In a surprising turn, the four major US broadcast networks have announced increased scripted programming for the 2026-27 season, reversing several years of decline driven by sliding linear ratings, industry contraction and the impact of the pandemic and the 2023 Hollywood strikes.
Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria, speaking at the streamer's upfront presentation after all broadcast networks had unveiled their plans, said: 'Other companies are spending the majority of their budget on sports and cutting back on scripted shows.' However, that statement no longer holds true for this year.
CBS is adding three new dramas – 'Cupertino', 'NCIS: New York' and 'Einstein' – and one comedy, 'Eternally Yours', while cancelling one drama ('Watson') and two comedies ('The Neighborhood', 'DMV'), for a net increase of 1.5 hours of scripted programming. NBC is adding two dramas ('The Rockford Files', 'Line of Fire') and two comedies ('Sunset P.I.', 'Newlyweds'), cancelling one of each ('Beautiful Minds', 'Stumble'), for a net gain of 1.5 hours, which may be revised down depending on the fate of 'The Hunting Party'.
Fox is adding two new dramas, 'Baywatch' and 'The Interrogator', while cancelling one comedy, 'Going Dutch', for another net increase of 1.5 hours. ABC, meanwhile, is adding one new drama, 'The Rookie: North', without cancelling any scripted show, marking the first time in its history that it has renewed every scripted series. ABC's Ari Goldman said: 'We not only are growing our scripted slate but for the first time in, literally, the history of ABC, have renewed every one of our scripted series.'
The resurgence may be partly due to a recalibration after recent pullbacks. CBS, NBC and Fox all reduced scripted slates last season, with NBC particularly cutting five dramas and two comedies to make room for the NBA. Additionally, Fox Entertainment CEO Rob Wade cited the 2019 Disney acquisition of Fox assets, which disrupted the supply of scripted programmes from 20th Television, forcing the network to rebuild its slate gradually.
