NBC has released its 2015-2016 TV schedule ahead of tomorrow’s upfront event for advertisers. The network has pushed Dateline back to 10pm ET / 9pm CT Friday nights, where it will likely go head-to-head with ABC’s 20/20. We’ll know for sure when ABC holds its upfront presentation on Tuesday.
This season Dateline has been airing on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. On the official news schedule, the 23-year news program will air as an hour on Friday night while the Dateline Saturday Night Mystery will be a 2-hour production (8-10 p.m. ET). When Sunday Night Football concludes in January, a Sunday edition of Dateline could return to the schedule. The newsmagazine has long filled gaps on the NBC prime time schedule.
Lester Holt has been solo host of Dateline since 2011. With the fate of Brian Williams still uncertain, NBC News may look to another host for Dateline if Holt is named permanent Nightly News anchor.
Adweek has the scoop on the full 2015-2016 NBC prime time schedule.