Full Breakdown
NBC Revives Pilot Season with New Orders for 2026-27
1/17/2026, 9:54:49 PM
NBC's Pilot Season Comeback
NBC is reintroducing the traditional pilot season format, a practice that had waned in recent years due to the rise of streaming services and their preference for straight-to-series orders. The network has ordered six pilots for the 2026-27 television season, which is a significant increase compared to the three pilots ordered last year. This year's lineup includes five crime dramas and one comedy, indicating a focused programming strategy.
The newly ordered pilots consist of a reboot of *The Rockford Files*, a U.S. Marshals drama titled *Protection*, and two crime dramas: *Puzzled* and *What the Dead Know*. The latter two are based on literary works, with *Puzzled* inspired by Danielle Trussoni’s *Puzzle Master* and *What the Dead Know* based on Barbara Butcher’s memoir. Additionally, NBC has commissioned a private investigator comedy from *Brooklyn Nine-Nine* creators Dan Goor and Luke Del Tredici.
Key Figures Behind the Pilots
Lisa Katz, head of scripted content for NBC and Peacock, has been a driving force behind the increased pilot orders. She, along with Pearlena Igbokwe, who oversees NBC Entertainment and Peacock’s scripted output, has advocated for a return to pilot production. The network's commitment to pilot season is also supported by a budget increase for development, allowing for more creative projects to be explored.
The pilots feature notable talent, including Joey Falco, who is known for his work on *Charmed*, and Dick Wolf, the creator of the *Law & Order* franchise. Both Falco and Wolf are executive producers for their respective projects, ensuring a level of experience and industry insight in the development process.
The Shift in Television Development
Historically, pilot season was a bustling period for networks, with hundreds of scripts being evaluated and numerous pilots produced. However, the landscape has shifted dramatically since the early 2010s, with many networks, including Fox, moving away from the pilot model altogether. The pandemic further accelerated this trend, leading to a preference for year-round development.
Despite this shift, NBC's recent pilot orders suggest a potential revival of the traditional model, albeit in a more streamlined form. The network aims to balance its year-round development with the pilot process, allowing for a more thorough evaluation of new concepts before committing to full series orders.
Criticism and Industry Perspectives
While the revival of pilot season has been met with some enthusiasm, critics argue that the model is still inefficient compared to the straight-to-series approach. The costs associated with producing pilots can be significant, and some industry experts question whether the traditional model can coexist with the current demand for fiscal responsibility in television production.
What's Next for NBC
As NBC moves forward with its pilot season, the network plans to continue evaluating additional projects, potentially increasing its total pilot orders. The success of these new pilots will be closely monitored, as they could influence the future direction of NBC's programming strategy and the broader television landscape.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Pilot season used to be an industry standard in television for decades, but the rise of streaming popularized the pricier straight-to-series model.” — Industry Expert
- “What NBC is doing this year likely doesn’t herald a return to the frenzied pilot calendar of a couple decades ago.” — Lisa Katz, Head of Scripted Content, NBC
This revival of pilot season at NBC marks a significant moment in television development, reflecting both a nostalgia for traditional practices and a response to the evolving demands of the industry.
