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Old 05-13-07, 04:26 PM
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Law & Order back for Season 18, CI moves to USA

http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.a...=20070513nbc01

ALL THREE "LAW & ORDER"- BRANDED SERIES WILL CONTINUE ON THE NETWORKS OF NBC UNIVERSAL

ALL THREE "LAW & ORDER"- BRANDED SERIES WILL CONTINUE ON THE NETWORKS OF NBC UNIVERSAL

NBC CHANGES THE TELEVISION LANDSCAPE ONCE AGAIN, AS 'CRIMINAL INTENT' MOVES TO TOP-RATED USA NETWORK THIS FALL, WITH A SECOND WINDOW ON NBC

'LAW & ORDER' WILL RETURN FOR UNRIVALED 18TH SEASON ON NBC

AS PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED, 'LAW & ORDER: SVU' RETURNS TO NBC IN THE FALL

NEW YORK May 13, 2007 NBC Universal is bringing back all three "Law & Order'-branded series for the 2007- 2008 television season.

"Law & Order" will return to the NBC network for an unprecedented 18th season. It joins the previously announced "Law & Order: SVU" on the network's prime time schedule. "Law & Order" is the longest running crime drama in television history, and second only to the longest running drama series "Gunsmoke," which ran for 20 years, from 1955 to 1975.

In a groundbreaking move, the acclaimed drama "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" will move from NBC to USA, the top-rated basic cable network, which is owned by NBC Universal. "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" will return for its seventh season with its premiere runs on USA, followed by an encore play on NBC. USA is the #1 basic cable network, among households, total viewers, and all key demos. For the last six seasons, "Criminal Intent" has run first on NBC and then had its second window on USA. Beginning next year, that scenario flips.

"With this innovative programming move, we have significantly strengthened the already powerful USA network, given NBC maximum flexibility, and in the process have changed the paradigm of prime time television," said Jeff Zucker, NBC Universal's President and Chief Executive Officer. "By changing the traditional way programs are rolled out, we have reinforced NBC Universal's forward thinking approach to new programming strategies and our willingness to embrace bold thinking. In the end, it is all about our viewers. And this will allow our viewers continuing access to the finest programming across the premier networks of NBC Universal." Zucker added, "We are thrilled to continue our successful business relationship with Dick Wolf and his team."

Creator/Executive Producer Dick Wolf said, "I am thrilled and delighted that Wolf Films and NBC Universal will continue the longest running and most successful partnership in television. This is a win-win for everybody. With all three Law & Orders on the air, formats of 'SVU' and 'CI' on in Russia and France, and discussions ongoing in other territories, this new deal encourages and enhances our mutual desire for our companies to become a major force in global television. This is the tip of the sphere of a new media paradigm."

He added, "I am very grateful that 'Law & Order' is coming back for its 18th season on NBC. Creatively, the show is still firing on all cylinders and I have no doubt that the show's quality can and will continue for years to come. We are scheduled to celebrate our 400th episode next season, which is a milestone that is absolutely staggering. And we are now one year closer to my ultimate dream - to become the longest running drama in the history of television, beating Gunsmoke." Wolf continued, "SVU redefined the network/cable broadcast model when it premiered in 1999, by creating a repurposed window on basic cable for a network show. Now Criminal Intent adds a new dimension to that model, with a groundbreaking licensing of a repurpose window in reverse, to the network. CI enjoyed a creative resurgence last season and I expect the new USA/NBC dual broadcast window will bring new life to the show in its seventh year."

"'Law and Order' has remained one of NBC's defining series and dependable performers for its entire, formidable 17 year run." said Kevin Reilly, President, NBC Entertainment, "We're so pleased that Dick Wolf and his talented team of producers will continue this legacy of quality storytelling on NBC."

"'Law and Order: Criminal Intent' is perfect for USA -- smart, character-driven programming that's already a proven hit with our viewers," said Bonnie Hammer, president of USA Network and SCI FI Channel. "It's also a blockbuster procedural, a terrific complement to the award-winning 'Monk' and last year's top-rated new show, 'Psych'. Combined with the powerhouse WWE and the rest of the network's dynamic slate, it ensures that USA will continue to dominate the cable landscape and remain #1."

The "Law & Order" brand accounts for the #1, 2 and 3 off-network primetime series on basic cable through the first four months of 2007 in adults 25-54, with "Criminal Intent" on USA (1.020 million adults 25-54), "SVU" on USA (945,000 adults 25-54) and "Law & Order" on TNT (864,000 adults 25-54).

More than 100 million viewers watch the "Law & Order" dramas on cable or broadcast each month, making it television's most-watched drama franchise.

"Law & Order" runs in syndication on TNT. "Law & Order: SVU" is also seen in national syndication on USA, Bravo and on weekends on local broadcast stations. Starting this fall, "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" will air on local broadcast stations on a Monday through Friday basis, as well as continuing to air on USA and Bravo.

The "Law & Order" franchise is also seen in hundreds of territories around the world and has continued its expansion overseas with new format deals for "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (France and Russia) and "Law & Order: SVU" (Russia).

"Law & Order" is the most successful brand in primetime television. The realistic program looks at crime and justice from a dual perspective. Some cases may be simple, but most are multi-faceted. The investigations are challenging, prosecutions are complicated, and decisions about legal procedures and plea-bargaining are vexing.

Fridays at 10 p.m. (ET), the original "Law & Order" has averaged a 2.7 rating, 8 share in adults 18-49 and 9.0 million viewers overall. "Law & Order" has improved the time period versus NBC's year-ago 18-49 average by 12 percent and is Friday's most upscale series on any network (in concentration of adults 18-49 living in homes with $100,000-plus incomes).

"Law & Order: SVU" chronicles the life and crimes of the Special Victims Unit of the New York Police Department, the elite squad of detectives who investigate sexually based crimes.

Tuesdays at 10 p.m. (ET), "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" is #1 in the time period in every key ratings category and an original "SVU" hasn't lost the slot in adults 18-49 to regular competition in more than two years. For the season, "SVU" has delivered a 4.2 rating, 11 share in adults 18-49 and 12.0 million viewers overall. This season, "SVU" built on its 18-49 lead-in by 50 percent.

"Law & Order: Criminal Intent," takes viewers into the minds of its criminals while following the psychological approaches the Major Case Squad uses to solve the crimes.

Tuesdays at 9 p.m. (ET), "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" has averaged a 2.8 rating, 7 share in adults 18-49 and 8.9 million viewers overall for the 2006-07 television season. "Criminal Intent" has built on its 18-49 lead-in by 27 percent in adults 18-49.

All three 'Law & Order' programs are produced by Wolf Films and NBC Universal Television Studios.
Old 05-13-07, 04:35 PM
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Good. I think L&O has been much much better this year - probably it's best year since S10. I also thought it was stronger than SVU this year, reversing a trend. I'd like to see it break Gunsmoke's record assuming the episodes are still entertaining.

Couldn't care less about CI. Interesting flip-around though.
Old 05-13-07, 04:46 PM
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While I could also really give a damn about CI continuing (or not -- I'm just really indifferent), I'm happy to see NBCU trying something a little different. If it's successful, the next show that moves from NBC to USA might be a show I want to watch.
Old 05-13-07, 05:32 PM
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Well I was pretty sure that Law & Order: SVU was going to get renewed cause it always take the #1 spot in its respective timeslot. The Original Law & Order had its worst season this year in my opinion, I wish Dennis Farina from the brilliant Crime Story never left the show.
I am thrilled Law & Order: CI gets a seventh season. This year CI has had its best season in my opinion & even some of the episodes this year were better than some of the SVU episodes which hasn't happen that much in the past.
Old 05-13-07, 07:31 PM
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I wonder if CI will be able to afford Vincent D'Onofrio and/or Chris Noth as its leads on its USA salary, which will presumably be somewhat less. Those two can't come cheap.
Old 05-13-07, 07:56 PM
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I was guessing that the show would be either exclusively Noth or would be Noth and somebody replacing D.
Old 05-13-07, 08:10 PM
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Very interesting news. I really figured one or two of these shows would be canned. I think NBC's movie is very intriguing. That syndication money really must be worth a lot!

And on a side note, I can't believe that USA is the top-rated basic cable network. The only time I ever watch it is during the US Open. Now, I know I'm not necessarily indicative of viewers at large, but it was still a shock having a network I never ever watch be the top-rated cable network.
Old 05-13-07, 08:16 PM
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USA probably still has an edge in number of cable systems over FX and has better originals than TNT. I think it makes sense they're the most watched.
Old 05-13-07, 08:30 PM
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Originally Posted by clckworang
Very interesting news. I really figured one or two of these shows would be canned. I think NBC's movie is very intriguing. That syndication money really must be worth a lot!

And on a side note, I can't believe that USA is the top-rated basic cable network. The only time I ever watch it is during the US Open. Now, I know I'm not necessarily indicative of viewers at large, but it was still a shock having a network I never ever watch be the top-rated cable network.
They have WWE Raw which has long been the top rated show on cable. Add in Monk, L&O SVU/CI reruns, and Psych and you have one of the better cable lineups out there.

Hopefully, NBC wisely puts the original Law & Order back on Wednesdays where it belongs.
Old 05-13-07, 09:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Jimmy James
I was guessing that the show would be either exclusively Noth or would be Noth and somebody replacing D.
If that was the case, i'd be watching on less L&O. I'm actually surprised Hammer didn't work on getting them to air it on Sci-Fi instead.

Originally Posted by NitroJMS
Hopefully, NBC wisely puts the original Law & Order back on Wednesdays where it belongs.
Amen to that.
Old 05-13-07, 09:41 PM
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They should have done this last year with Surface with NBC and Sci-Fi
Old 05-13-07, 10:00 PM
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All of that back-slapping in that press release, geez...If NBC is so innovative why do they still have S. Epatha Merkerson wearing that corny wig.

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