NBC’s 2025-2026 Renewal Outlook: What’s Staying and What’s Going?
NBC is navigating a dynamic landscape following a period of significant changes in 2025, which saw the cancellation of six scripted series – including dramas like Found and The Irrational, and comedies such as Night Court and Lopez vs. Lopez – to make room for NBA programming. However, the network is now demonstrating a renewed commitment to scripted content, as evidenced by recent pilot orders.
Early Renewals and Established Franchises
Unlike last year’s contraction, NBC is signaling a more optimistic outlook. The network has already given early renewals to the comedies Happy’s Place and St. Denis Medical, both picked up for third seasons. A cornerstone of NBC’s success, Dick Wolf’s five series – Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., Chicago Med, Law & Order: SVU, and Law & Order – are all strongly positioned for renewal.
One Chicago and SVU consistently deliver strong ratings across both linear television and streaming on Peacock. While the revival of the original Law & Order initially faced challenges, its recent performance on Peacock, coupled with a solid 2025-2026 season to date, has bolstered its case for continued success.
Budget Considerations and Cost-Saving Measures
Despite the positive outlook, budget constraints remain a key factor. Like in recent years, renewals are expected to come with budget trims. Wolf Entertainment, in collaboration with Universal Television, has already implemented minimum guarantee reductions, leading to some cast members appearing in fewer episodes. This practice is becoming increasingly common across veteran series as networks strive to meet budgetary targets and secure renewals.
Drama Series on the Bubble
Beyond the Wolf Entertainment franchises, NBC has two sophomore drama series facing uncertain futures: The Hunting Party and Brilliant Minds. Currently, The Hunting Party is considered the stronger contender. However, the landscape shifted last summer when NBC opted to prioritize the medical drama Brilliant Minds, starring Zachary Quinto, while pushing the crime procedural The Hunting Party to midseason.
Brilliant Minds is now facing serious doubts about its future, as it’s NBC’s lowest-rated drama on linear television, experiencing significant year-to-year declines. The series was recently pulled from the schedule to make way for extended episodes of The Voice, suggesting a likely cancellation.
Interestingly, The Hunting Party has found unexpected success on Netflix, consistently ranking among the Daily Top 3 in the U.S. This surge in popularity could create a “halo effect,” potentially improving its renewal prospects.
The Fate of ‘Law & Order: Organized Crime’
Law & Order: Organized Crime, now a Peacock original with a second window on NBC, is also under consideration. While it has performed respectably, the series has struggled with creative team stability, having gone through five showrunners in five seasons. A search for a new showrunner is underway, and a successful appointment could pave the way for renewal.
Comedy Series: Early Impressions and Potential Lifelines
It’s still early to assess the fate of The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, which debuted recently. However, Stumble, NBC’s other freshman comedy, is currently on the bubble. Despite being the network’s lowest-rated scripted series overall, Stumble has garnered positive reviews (82% on Rotten Tomatoes) and strong internal support at NBC. The network has experimented with scheduling adjustments to increase its visibility, including reruns and airings during primetime Olympic coverage.
The ultimate decision regarding Stumble will likely hinge on the strength of NBC’s three comedy pilots. The large number of drama pilots (five) raises concerns about the future of the network’s current drama slate. Sources suggest that two new drama series orders are likely, but additional pilots could be accommodated through shorter seasons or summer runs. Moving a show to Peacock is also a possibility for series executives believe in.
