NBC announced that it will stagger the premieres of its fall shows from August through October, and that it will debut the new comedies "Animal Practice" and "Go On" commercial-free during the Olympics.
Most of the new shows will premiere before the official start of the season, continuing NBC's strategy of trying to gain a foothold for shows on nights and in times of the year when other networks aren't as competitive.
The Matthew Perry group therapy comedy "Go On," will air after the Olympics coverage on Wednesday, Aug. 8. "Animal Practice," starring Justin Kirk as a put-upon veterinarian, will air on Sunday, Aug. 12, after the Olympic Games Closing Ceremonies.
One day after the conclusion of the Olympics, NBC will debut the new competitive series “Stars Earn Stripes” with a special two-hour episode on Monday, Aug. 13 It will be followed by the season premiere of “Grimm” (10-11 p.m. ET).
“The Voice” will air in the fall for the first time on Sept. 10, during the same week of the Sept. 13 “America’s Got Talent” conclusion. NFL football will return Sept. 5, Ryan Murphy's “The New Normal” will air Sept. 11, and viewers will get thier first look at the ensemble comedy “Guys With Kids” on Sept. 12.
“Parenthood” will premiere Sept. 11, and the new drama “Revolution” will debut Sept. 17, followed by the drama “Chicago Fire” Oct. 10.
"Whitney" and "Community" will be back Oct. 19, debuting on their new night, Friday. They have the network's latest fall primetime premiere date.
Here are the premiere dates for NBC’s fall 2012 primetime schedule (all times ET; new shows are in upper case):
Wednesday, August 8
“GO ON” (sneak peek following Olympic Games coverage)
Sunday, August 12
“ANIMAL PRACTICE” (sneak peek following Olympic Games Closing Ceremonies)
Monday, August 13
8-10 p.m. “STARS EARN STRIPES” (two-hour premiere)
10-11 p.m. “Grimm”
Wednesday, September 5
7:30-8:30 p.m. “NFL Kickoff Special 2012” (regular season)
8:30-11 p.m. “Sunday Night Football” (regular season)
Sunday, September 9
7-8:15 p.m. “Football Night in America” (regular day and time)
8:15-11 p.m. “Sunday Night Football” (regular day and time)
Monday, September 10
8-10 p.m. “The Voice”
Tuesday, September 11
9-9:30 p.m. “GO ON” (time period premiere)
9:30-10 p.m. “THE NEW NORMAL”
10-11 p.m. “Parenthood”
Wednesday, September 12
10-10:30 p.m. “GUYS WITH KIDS” (sneak peek after penultimate “America’s Got Talent”)
Friday, Sept 14
9-10pm – "Grimm" (time period premiere)
Monday, September 17
10-11 p.m. “REVOLUTION”
Thursday, September 20
8:30-9 p.m. “Up All Night”
9-9:30 p.m. “The Office”
9:30-10 p.m. “Parks and Recreation”
Wednesday, September 26
8-8:30 p.m. “ANIMAL PRACTICE” (time period premiere)
8:30-9 p.m. “GUYS WITH KIDS” (time period premiere)
9-11 p.m. “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (two-hour premiere)
Thursday, October 4
8-8:30 p.m. “30 Rock”
Wednesday, October 10
10-11 p.m. “CHICAGO FIRE”
Friday, October 19
8-8:30 p.m. “Whitney”
8:30-9 p.m. “Community”
