NBC Trims Comedies for Fall, Focuses on Football and Live Shows

Network saves its most star-studded shows for midseason

There's not much to laugh about on NBC's fall schedule.

In its 2015-16 slate, unveiled Sunday ahead of Monday's upfronts, NBC is devoting only a single hour to sitcoms this fall: 8-9 p.m. Fridays, as the network continues to struggle with its comedy brand.

Instead, the network—which should win its second consecutive season in adults 18-49 (though without the Super Bowl, the win would likely go to CBS)—is focusing on dramas, the return of Sunday Night Football and two all-live series to entice viewers.

"We're attacking the new season with the same programming strategy that successfully turned NBC around: a slate of provocative and innovative series and events that cut through the clutter and will continue to build on our momentum," said NBC Entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt.

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