NBC Reveals Fall 2025 Schedule: NBA, Football and Fallon
NBC is gearing up for a jam-packed fall 2025 schedule, with live sports taking center stage on three nights of the week. The most exciting addition to the lineup is the NBA, set to air on Tuesday nights starting in October. Jeff Bader, NBCUniversal Entertainment’s president of program planning strategy, emphasized the importance of the NBA to the network, calling it their “biggest new show in the fall.”
The addition of the NBA required some reshuffling of the schedule to accommodate NBC’s returning shows. Following the cancellation of several programs last week, NBC now has seven dramas and two comedies set to return. Among the new shows joining the lineup is the unscripted series “On Brand With Jimmy Fallon,” which will air twice a week in September before the NBA takes over on Tuesday nights.
The surviving comedies, “St. Denis Medical” and “Happy’s Place,” will make their return in November and will be used to launch new comedies on different nights. The plan includes cutting down the Monday edition of “The Voice” to one hour to make room for a new Monday comedy block. Additionally, Reba McEntire’s “Happy’s Place” will return on Fridays at 8 p.m., paired with another new sitcom.
The new comedies set to air alongside “St. Denis Medical” and “Happy’s Place” will be selected from a pool of three contenders, including “The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins,” “Stumble,” and an untitled project about a community center. While “Reggie Dinkins” has already received a series order, “Stumble” and the community center project will deliver pilots for consideration.
NBC’s lineup of dramas remains unchanged, with shows like “Chicago Med,” “Chicago Fire,” and “Chicago P.D.” staying put on Wednesdays. The “Law & Order” franchise continues on Thursdays, with “Brilliant Minds” and “The Hunting Party” filling out the Monday and Thursday night slots.
Looking ahead, NBC has plans for an eight-episode nature docuseries called “Surviving Earth” and will be airing the Super Bowl and Winter Olympics in winter 2026. The network is also considering which shows to launch after these major events.
Despite the limited scripted programming in September, NBC is confident in the strength of its schedule. Bader emphasized the importance of live sports programming like the NBA, noting that it adds a different dynamic to linear TV. The network aims to strike a balance between scripted, alternative, and sports programming to provide viewers with a diverse lineup.
In conclusion, NBC’s fall 2025-26 schedule promises a mix of returning favorites and new additions, with a focus on live sports and compelling dramas. As the season progresses, the network will continue to evaluate and adjust its lineup to deliver the best possible viewing experience for audiences.
