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[05/24/05 - 12:00 AM] Post-Upfront Frequently Asked Questions By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC) |
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LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- With the tension of the broadcast upfronts finally over, our readers might have a few nagging questions. We thought we'd use this space to answer the most frequently asked:
1. When will the broadcast networks announce their fall premiere dates?
Generally speaking most of the broadcast networks will set their fall premieres by the time the TCA's summer press tour rolls around in mid-July. Last year, ABC was the first to detail its launch strategy on June 10 (read the story), followed by NBC on July 10 (read the story), The WB on July 14 (read the story), FOX on July 15 (read the story) CBS on July 19 (read the story) and UPN on July 20 (read the story). Also keep in mind, premiere dates often get revised after their initial announcements.
2. What are the chances any of the pilots that were passed over get picked up at a later date?
Very slim, especially for scripted projects. Last season only five scripted pilots that weren't announced at their respective network's upfront presentations - ABC's "Jake in Progress," CBS' "Numb3rs," FOX's "Point Pleasant," UPN's "The Bad Girl's Guide" and "Cuts" - eventually went on to make it to the airwaves. In terms of when they were picked up, "Jake" and "Guide" got the nod in June, "Numb3rs" in July (after shooting a second pilot with a different cast), "Point" in September and "Cuts" all the way in November. (ABC also eventually gave the Jennifer Love Hewitt comedy "In the Game" a midseason order but went on to scrap the project entirely.)
3. Anything else I should know?
That what the networks announce in May rarely matches up with what eventually becomes their schedule. All six broadcast networks made shifts of varying degrees from what they rolled out at the upfronts. ABC for example originally placed "Grey's Anatomy" on Monday nights beginning in January (read the story), CBS had "The Amazing Race" as its tentpole on Saturdays (read the story) and the WB had "The Mountain" on Thursdays with "Blue Collar TV" following "Smallville" on Wednesdays (read the story). Other announcements that went on to be scrubbed include NBC having "The Contender" air on Tuesdays at 8:00/7:00c beginning that fall (read the story), UPN putting "Enterprise" at 9:00/8:00c instead of 8:00/7:00c on Fridays (read the story) and FOX (amongst other things) having "Tru Calling" following "The O.C." in November (read the story).
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[08/29/25 - 10:46 AM] National Geographic Documentary Films Announces Global Acquisition of Streaming Rights to Werner Herzog Documentary "Ghost Elephants" Following Venice World Premiere The documentary will make its U.S. premiere at the Telluride Film Festival this weekend.
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[08/29/25 - 10:08 AM] "Prison Break" Turns 20: Executive Producer Dawn Olmstead Curates Episode Collections on Hulu It's been 20 years since Michael Scofield entered Fox River State Penitentiary on a mission: break brother Lincoln out.
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[08/29/25 - 09:01 AM] Video: "French Lover" - Official Trailer - Netflix When a jaded actor meets a down-on-her-luck waitress in Paris, their unexpected love story begins - but will it survive the glare of the spotlight?
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[08/29/25 - 08:02 AM] Video: Prime Video Unveils Paris Trailer and New Cast for the Final Episodes of "The Summer I Turned Pretty" Joining the series in recurring roles are Corinna Brown, Fernando Cattori, Isaline Prevost Radeff, and Jahz Armando.
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[08/29/25 - 05:43 AM] "Sounds of Summer" - Feel-Good, Music-Packed Movie About Swedish Pop Icons Gyllene Tider Makes Exclusive US Debut Thursday, September 18, 2025 on Viaplay Directed by Per Simonsson and named after the band's most enduring hit, "Sounds of Summer" is a breezy, very inspiring 97-minute ride that follows Gessle from small-town outsider to pop trailblazer.
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[08/29/25 - 03:01 AM] Video: "RIV4LRIES" - Official Trailer - Netflix At a middle school in Pisa, no one has ever challenged the cool kids - until new girl Terry arrives with bold ideas and the rivalries begin.
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[08/29/25 - 02:01 AM] Video: "Love Is Blind: UK" Season 2 - The Reunion - Official Trailer - Netflix Who's saying "I still do?" Emma and Matt host this season's couples and special guests as tea is spilled and secrets are revealed in a fiery reunion.
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[08/28/25 - 02:03 PM] Wonder Project Announces October 5 Streaming Subscription Launch Date on Prime Video and Premiere Date for "House of David" Season Two; Unveils First Look Images of the Hit Drama Series Season Two of the biblical drama series House of David from Wonder Project and Amazon MGM Studios follows the aftermath of the battle between David and Goliath and David's rise to the throne.
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[08/28/25 - 12:12 PM] Video: "The Hospital" - A Comedy Improv Sketch Show - Premieres Wednesday, September 10 The Hospital offers a "behind-the-scenes" look at what happens when you mix improv comedy with total medical negligence.
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[08/28/25 - 11:02 AM] Shudder Launches Biggest Ever Programming Event "Season of Screams" - Featuring a Monster Lineup of New Films, Series and Live Watch Parties on Shudder TV - From September 1 Through December 31 Shudder's "Season of Screams" features highly anticipated films such as the acclaimed Dangerous Animals, a new installment in the popular "V/H/S" franchise - "V/H/S/Halloween" - and the found footage breakout hits "House on Eden" and "Hell House LLC: Lineage."
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[08/28/25 - 11:01 AM] MGM+ Greenlights "Words + Music," Inspired by the Critically Hailed Audible Original Series, Featuring Grammy Winners Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow, John Legend and Alanis Morissette "Words + Music" is set to premiere this fall on MGM+ in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.
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[08/28/25 - 10:06 AM] ESPN Unveils Deep Roster of NBA Game Commentators for 2025-26 Season Veteran analyst Tim Legler will join ESPN's lead NBA broadcast team, which includes Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame broadcaster Mike Breen, analyst and NBA Champion Richard Jefferson and reporter Lisa Salters.
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[08/28/25 - 10:05 AM] HBO Original Two-Part Documentary "Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television" Debuts September 9 The project takes audiences on a two-part journey through the history of Black representation on television, showcasing how Black artists and creators both shaped and revolutionized the medium while confronting the systemic challenges that have often undermined their contributions.
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[08/28/25 - 10:01 AM] Video: National Geographic Documentary Films Unveils Trailer for "Lost in the Jungle," the Unbelievable Story of Four Indigenous Children Who Survived a Plane Crash in the Amazon, Ahead of World Premiere at Telluride Film Festival For the first time ever, the four Indigenous children who survived the Colombian plane crash on May 1, 2023 - and then endured 40 days alone in the jungle - share their extraordinary story of survival, told in their own words.
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[08/28/25 - 09:38 AM] Video: Tubi Debuts Trailer for Stand-Up Comedy Special "Rel Talk" from Lil Rel Howery "It feels amazing to bring this special to my city, my people, and now to the millions of folks watching on Tubi," said Howery.
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