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Upfronts 2026: The Year That Scripted Series Made A Broadcast Comeback

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To periphrase the famous musical title, a funny thing happened on the way to the upfronts this year. One by one, the four major broadcast network announced their 2026-27 lineups, and each of them featured more scripted series than the current season.

The turnaround was so unexpected that the trend went unnoticed by many, including likely the Netflix upfront speechwriters.

“Other companies are spending the majority of their budget on sports and cutting back on scripted shows,” Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria said on stage at the streamer’s presentation, which was held on Wednesday afternoon, after all broadcast networks had unveiled their 2026-27 plans.

In recent years, amid sliding linear ratings, industry contraction and the impact of the pandemic and the 2023 Hollywood strikes, that statement would’ve been correct. But not this year.

CBS is adding three new drama series (Cupertino, NCIS: New York, Einstein) and one comedy (Eternally Yours) while canceling one drama (Watson) and two comedies (The Neighborhood, DMV) for a net increase of +1.5 hours of scripted programming.

NBC is adding two new drama series (The Rockford Files, Line of Fire) and two new comedies (Sunset P.I., Newlyweds) while canceling one of each (Beautiful Minds, Stumble) for a net gain of +1.5 scripted hours which may be revised down — but remain in positive territory — depending on the fate of the network’s last show on the bubble, The Hunting Party.

Fox is adding two new drama series, Baywatch and The Interrogator, while canceling one comedy, Going Dutch, for another net increase of +1.5 hours.

And then there is ABC, which is adding a new drama series, The Rookie: North, without canceling a single scripted show. Last year, ABC picked up two dramas and one comedy for 2025-26, 9-1-1: Nashville, R.J. Decker and the Scrubs reboot, while not bringing back one drama, Doctor Odyssey and one comedy, The Conners. The other broadcast networks canceled more scripted series than they picked up for the 2025-26 season.

“We are thrilled that not only we were able to renew R.J., but also that we’re adding to our slate for the second straight year with Rookie: North, that’s something that no other network can say heading into this upfront week,” Ari Goldman, SVP, Content Strategy and Scheduling, told Deadline after the 11th hour renewal of the Scott Speedman freshman drama and series order to The Rookie spinoff earlier this week. “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, and they’re renewed because they’re all performing well.”

It’s hard to pinpoint the reason for the scripted comeback on broadcast. Some of it could be a recalibration after a recent pullback. CBS, NBC and Fox all went down year-to-year on their scripted slates last season, marginally for CBS and Fox and significantly for NBC, which canceled five drama series (four homegrown and Canadian import Transplant), and two comedy series while adding only two new comedies to make room for NBA’s arrival to the network last fall. (In 2026-27, NBC has extra two weeks and a half weeks worth of primetime inventory to fill that was taken up by the Winter Olympics this season though the network is adding more sports in the fall via NBCUniversal’s deal with MLB Baseball.)

The broadcast scripted expansion could be also a delayed reaction to a seismic event like the one Fox Entertainment CEO Rob Wade referenced on the network’s upfront call on Sunday.

He brought up the 2019 Disney acquisition of Fox assets, including Fox’s main supplier of scripted programming, 20th Television, which had been producing shows for the network under a vertically integrated business model that no longer worked for independent Fox.

“Going back to the Disney transaction, if you remember, we had a lot of 20th shows on the network, we had shows like The Resident, 9-1-1, 9-1-1: Lone Star which just continued,” Wade said. “That gave [Fox Network President] Michael [Thorn] and his team the opportunity to build a scripted slate off the back of that. (We didn’t have the same problem with the unscripted slate). To go out and suddenly replace five or six scripted shows all in one go is foolhardy because you don’t have the schedule, the marketing muscle, the audience doesn’t have the bandwidth to cope with that, if you launch six shows all the ones, it’s very hard for the audience to find all six at once. So what we’ve been doing over the last five or six years is slowly building that slate up.”

There is also the matter of order sizes. The networks’ schedules are rigid, with a set number of primetime hours to fill each season that cannot expand. Also, to balance their offerings to viewers — and their budgets — the nets mix expensive sports and scripted programming with lower priced reality fare.

For instance, CBS, whose scripted portfolio includes the most watched series on broadcast in Marshals and Tracker, is adding three new dramas and one comedy while canceling a drama and two comedies. But that translates to a net gain of +12 scripted hours because, as Deadline reported exclusively, the network is cutting the orders of several returning series for 2026-27, including Fire Country (from 20 to 13 episodes), NCIS: Origins (from 18 to 10) and NCIS: Sydney (from 20 to 10).

The other broadcast networks are going with a version of that too. ABC’s Goldman admitted that the decision to pick up both R.J. Decker and The Rookie: North would result in trimming the episode orders for some series next season.

“We’re still working through the precise episode counts across the board,” he said. “Some of our shows are going to stay exactly as they’ve been, but I do think we’re always looking to make decisions that make financial sense for the company, so some counts may adjust at the end of the day.”

Goldman was quick to emphasize that “nothing that would ever impact the creative. We’re always in the business of growing the libraries of these shows for streaming, not only here, but across the globe, and so we’re very serious about staying in that game and doing whatever it takes to strengthen that portfolio.”

That is an important point for vertically integrated networks like ABC, CBS and NBC as more episodes ordered from their sister studios grow the series’ libraries that can be monetized downstream, internationally and on streaming, building a revenue stream for the parent company. (It was another upfronts dominated by vertical integration as the three networks leaned heavily on new series from their sibling studios except for the Rookie spinoff, which is a co-production with Lionsgate.)

This is also why Fox is starting to own some of its scripted series while also being disciplined in its approach to dramas and live-action comedies by adopting models involving more modest license fees.

Even with episode order sizes taking a haircut, having more scripted series on the broadcast networks benefits the creative community, creating more jobs for writers, actors — as well as crews and auxiliary business when the shows are made in the U.S. — allowing more people to be employed, support their families and meet their health insurance coverage minimums.

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Tim Daly & Téa Leoni Take A Quick Trip To The Altar In ‘Newlyweds’ Trailer

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NBC has dropped the first trailer for Newlyweds, starring real-life married couple Tim Daly and Téa Leoni.

The trailer opens with Jeanie (Leoni) and James’ (Daly) first meeting at a valet stand.

“Dan didn’t tell me you were stunning,” a clearly already-smitten James tells Jeanie. “He didn’t tell me you have great taste in women,” replies Jeanie as the two rush off on what appears to be their first date.

Per the logline, Newlyweds is a later-in-life love story about a free-spirited woman, Jeanie (Leoni), and a buttoned-up professor, James (Daly), who marry impetuously after a whirlwind courtship. Recently divorced, James accidentally runs into Jeanie at a valet stand and is so taken with her beauty and spirit that they wind up having dinner together anyway. Tony soon realizes that his life with Jeanie is not going to be the quiet, stay-at-home lifestyle he enjoys, but he also knows he’d rather change his ways than live without her.

Jamie Lee Curtis, Emma Meisel, Ignacio Diaz-Silverio, Bill O’Neill and Al Madrigal co-star.

Curtis plays James’ ex-wife Claudia, Meisel and Diaz-Silverio play Jeanie’s children, Poppy and Lolo, respectively, O’Neill plays Arvid, James’ assistant in the philosophy department at the University of Oslo, and Madrigal plays Dan, James’ divorced best friend whose plans for single life are derailed by James and Jeanie’s impulsive wedding. As the matchmaker behind the couple, he also earns the ire of James’ ex, Claudia (Curtis).

Newlyweds is co-created by Gail Lerner and Curtis, both of whom also executive produce. Additionally, Lerner will serve as showrunner. Pam Fryman directed and executive produced the pilot episode. Executive producers also include Eric and Kim Tannenbaum and Jason Wang for The Tannenbaum Company, Scott Schwartz and Lionsgate Television. Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, is the studio.

Newlyweds premieres Friday, October 23 on NBC.

Check out the trailer above.

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Kevin Feige Accepts Pioneer Of The Year Award At Will Rogers Foundation

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It seems appropriate that Kevin Feige was the honoree at a dinner that would became the most successful for the philanthropic Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation Assistance Fund in 22 years.

It appears everything the producer and Marvel Studios president touches turns to gold. The annual Pioneer of the Year dinner raised $1.9 million, the biggest haul since 2004 for the group that helps those in the motion picture distribution and exhibition industry in dire need.

And yes, there was lots of talk about money when extolling the virtues of this year’s Pioneer of the Year, with Focus Features distribution head Lisa Bunnell and Disney chairman Alan Bergman both among those on stage noting the record-breaking box office success of Feige — particularly just after a weekend where a reissue of Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame managed to top the charts against all new movies and earn another $80 million globally.

Bunnell also mentioned the most recent achievement of Spider-Man: Brand New Day becoming the biggest movie of all time at the domestic box office, among other records set. Feige’s 38 films as a producer for Marvel have all opened to No. 1 earning a collective $35 billion. It is nice he could extend that streak for this worthy cause.

“The Will Rogers Motion Pictures Pioneers Foundation makes an extraordinary difference for the people in this industry, and it’s a mission I’m very, very honored to stand behind. And of course, to be mentioned in same breath as Will Rogers is incredibly humbling,” Feige said as he accepted the award.

A tradition for more than 75 years, the Pioneer of the Year Award is bestowed upon esteemed and respected members in the motion picture industry whose leadership, service to the community, and commitment to philanthropy are exceptional. It is one of the most distinguished honors in the entertainment industry and within the philanthropic community. All proceeds raised at the event benefit WRMPPF’s Pioneers Assistance Fund, the only charity of its kind in the nation which provides financial assistance and social services to individuals in the motion picture distribution and exhibition community in times of need.

From left, Asad Ayaz, Alan Bergman, Kevin Feige, Josh D’Amaro, Louis D’Esposito and Andrew Cripps attend the 2026 Will Rogers Pioneer of the Year Dinner honoring Kevin Feige on Sept. 30, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging)

The Beverly Hilton ballroom was packed Wednesday night to celebrate Feige, and before the man called “the most successful producer in the history of motion pictures” hit the stage, his Guardians Of The Galaxy star Chris Pratt appeared to sing his praises. “Kevin and I, we go way back. I auditioned for this man honestly, probably seven or eight thousand times before he said, ‘You know what? This guy just might be able to act’, either that or he just really needed a third Chris to complete the set,” he laughed. “And to be fair, when I was finally cast in Guardians Of The Galaxy, it took someone with real vision to look at me and say, ‘Yeah, that’s a guy that can guard the galaxy, since at that point, all anyone knew me as was Andy Blair from Parks and Recreation. Yeah, nobody was thinking that there’s an action star who carry a big sci-fi film franchise.”

Before he presented the award to Feige, Iron Man director Jon Favreau shared his stories about the man of the hour, especially during the making of that very first Marvel giant hit which actually was a negative pickup, essentially an independent movie at the time. He said they didn’t always see eye to eye in the editing room, even as Favreau fought to save scenes. “They were very nice scenes, and Kevin would just be like, ‘cut this, cut this, get out there. I think you don’t even need that scene’. And I would just turn to him and I would say to him, ‘why do you hate movies?’ And he would laugh. Eventually, of course everything that he suggested (worked), but not because he forced me to, but because he was right. And I learned like later that you know you got to keep things moving. You can’t be too indulgent when you’re making movies,” he said. “If there’s one individual who has been quality control central in this kind of thing Kevin was a personification of what pioneers are because he had this vision of putting together films that were going to be part of a total universe. Not only do the films have to stand on their own, but they had to connect, not by plot but by character. He loves films and always wants it to be the best it could be. His love of storytelling and storytellers is who the guy is.”

Feige thanked everyone for making the evening possible, but said his initial thought was to turn it down. “This cause, of course, is important. But the truth is, when the team first called and told me about it, my instinct was absolutely to be flattered and to be honored and to say I’m too busy. And then they sent me a picture of that statue. And my wife knows that I have a mildly concerning habit of collecting a lot of things, and collecting toys and action figures because I want to find a way to bring movies home with me, and I think that’s one of the coolest action figures I’ve seen in a while. It’s real bronze,” the Marvel President marveled while assuring the crowd he is just getting started. “I love movies. It’s the greatest privilege of my life that I get to make movies. The motion picture industry has given me my career, my closest friends, and my sense of purpose. So this award means something to me-not just a recognition for the work, but a reminder of the responsibility that comes with it.”

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Ed Helms Stars In ‘The Streak’ For Lion Forge Entertainment

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EXCLUSIVE: Ed Helms has wrapped a lead role in The Streak, a sports comedy marking Academy Award-winning outfit Lion Forge Entertainment‘s entrée into the live-action space.

Following Coach Oliver Eslinger and the 2011 Caltech men’s basketball team as they seek to break the longest losing streak in NCAA history, the film hails from writer-director Steve Byrne (The Opening Act).

Helms plays Enslinger, a first-time head coach who takes over the Caltech men’s basketball program after the team has gone more than three decades without winning a conference game. Armed with relentless optimism and an unconventional coaching philosophy, he attempts to convince a group of brilliant but athletically challenged students that an impossible turnaround can begin with winning just one game.

Nina Dobrev (The Get Out), Natasha Rothwell (White Lotus), Tone Bell (The Flash), Peter Billingsley (A Christmas Story) and comedian Joe DeRosa also star.

Prior to The Streak, which shot in St. Louis and the surrounding areas, many production companies had chased the rights to Coach Eslinger’s story over the last decade. But it was only after a long meeting with Byrne that he finally felt comfortable moving forward. Mike Falbo, Helms’ partner in production company Pacific Electric, slipped the script to longtime friend and collaborator Jon Kanak, who brought the project to Lion Forge.

Helms and Mike Falbo are producing through their Pacific Electric (Rutherford Falls, The Clapper) banner alongside Tim Zajaros and Chris Lemole of Armory Films (The Peanut Butter Falcon, Mudbound), plus Lion Forge Entertainment founder & CEO Dave Steward II and President & Chief Creative Officer Stephanie Sperber. Lion Forge also financed the film alongside Same Page Entertainment, with co-founder & CEO Jalen Rose exec producing.

Other exec producers include Enslinger, Kanak, Steven Fisher, Matt Heath, Bud Hawk, Greg Suess, Trevor Engelson, Matt Brodlie and Jonathan Kier.

UTA is repping domestic sales alongside Brodlie and Kier’s Upgrade, which will also handle international.

In a statement on the project, Byrne told us, “Sports stories have always been about much more than sports. At its core, The Streak is about hope, leadership, and finding greatness in people everyone else has overlooked. Ed was always my dream for Oliver because he brings an authenticity, warmth and humor that perfectly embodies the spirit of this story. We’re excited to bring this incredible true story to audiences.”

Added Lionsgate’s Steward II, “As we scale our live-action business, The Streak is exactly the type of commercial, four-quadrant film we’re focused on producing. With a proven cast, a true story foundation, and global appeal, it reflects how we’re expanding our slate with projects designed to perform in today’s marketplace.”

Currently, Helms can be seen starring alongside Jay Baruchel in The Stunt Driver, a Michael Dowse film telling the true story of daredevil Canadian stuntman Ken Carter, which premiered to critical acclaim at TIFF and released in September. Next up, he’ll be seen in another pair of films coming off TIFF premieres: Cody Lightning’s hockey dramedy Smudge the Blades, which he also exec produced, and Babies opposite Seth Rogen and Anna Kendrick. He is repped by UTA and Schreck Rose Dapello.

Byrne is a comedian and filmmaker who made his feature directorial debut with The Opening Act, a 2020 stand-up world comedy starring Jimmy O. Yang. Previously, he also co-created and starred in the TBS sitcom Sullivan & Son. He’s repped by IAG, Underground, and Cohen & Gardner.

Founded in 2019 — after spinning out from Lion Forge Comics — Lion Forge Entertainment is best known for its work in animation, having won an Oscar for its animated short Hair Love in 2020. One of the few Black-owned entertainment studios of scale in North America, they more recently took to HBO Max and Cartoon Network with Iyanu, an animated fantasy series that aired its second season earlier this year. Kicking off a strategic expansion into commercial, all-audience live-action storytelling following a recent capital raise, their pipeline has surged in the last year as the company joined forces with Game of Thrones‘ George R.R. Martin to adapt the novella A Dozen Tough Jobs into an adult animated feature; set a partnership with TalesVision to expand their short-form YouTube series Lostlings into a long-form series debuting later this year; executive produced two movies, the comedy Jacob Beats Up Nate and A Dog’s Perfect Christmas for Netflix; set a strategic partnership with Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts); and partnered with Rebel Girls to develop content around Rebel Girls Sports in the unscripted space. Additional strategic partnerships include an alliance with Penguin Young Readers to develop films & TV series based on select children’s books. LFE is part of the media and sports-focused firm Polarity.

Dobrev is repped by CAA, Noble Caplan Abrams, Lighthouse Management + Media, and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller; Rothwell by CAA, Untitled, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman; Bell by CAA, Mosaic and Hansen, Jacobson; Billingsley by UTA and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman; DeRosa by Range Media Partners and Schreck Rose Dapello; Lion Forge Entertainment by UTA, Activist Artists Management and Jon Kanak’s Lumify Entertainment; and Same Page Entertainment by Paradigm.

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