NBC's Shocking Decision: A Battle for Fair Pay Leaves Night Court, Law & Order, One Chicago & More In Limbo

NBC has decided to delay the airing of Night Court, Law & Order, One Chicago, and other shows due to the ongoing writers' and actors' strikes. Following the Writers Guild of America strike, SAG-AFTRA also joined the protest when no agreement was reached. Consequently, the strikes have caused a halt in the Hollywood industry.

According to TV Line, NBC will be shifting its entire fall TV schedule to mid-season. As a result, fans will have to wait a little longer for the return of popular scripted shows such as Law & Order: SVU, One Chicago series, and the newly successful comedy, Night Court. To provide some context, NBC had announced its fall 2023 TV lineup soon after the WGA strike began. While Law & Order: Organized Crime will be moved to mid-season, NBC has opted to keep all its primetime shows in their regular time slots, expressing optimism that the issue will be resolved before production starts.

When The WGA & SAG Strikes Might End

It is currently uncertain when the WGA & SAG-AFTRA strikes will come to an end. Numerous reports have been released, supposedly providing information on the closed-door meetings, but the specifics of these discussions remain unknown. What is evident is that both the WGA and SAG-AFTRA are advocating for fair wages in the era of streaming. Several actors have already spoken out about their minimal residuals from streaming platforms, underscoring the need for change to ensure appropriate compensation for everyone. Other topics addressed include improved working conditions and the use of artificial intelligence in the industry.

Despite NBC's previous optimism about maintaining its fall 2023 TV schedule, their recent actions suggest they are preparing for the worst. This could be seen as an indication that the industry-wide work stoppage will persist for several more months. These shows are not slated to air new episodes until mid-September, providing a couple of months of buffer time. However, it is worth noting that pre-production activities, such as scriptwriting and filming, typically occur toward the end of summer, which should be imminent.

It is unclear whether other major broadcasting networks like ABC and CBS will also choose to follow NBC's lead. So far, they have mostly stuck to their regular fall TV schedules. However, with the delay, it is becoming increasingly evident that the sooner this issue is resolved, the more beneficial it will be for all parties involved.