NBC RENEWS DRAMAS ‘THE BLACKLIST,’ ‘CHICAGO FIRE,’ ‘CHICAGO P.D.,’ LAW & ORDER: SVU’ AND ‘GRIMM’ FOR 2015-16 SEASON

NBC Press Release
February 5, 2015

NBC RENEWS DRAMAS ‘THE BLACKLIST,’ ‘CHICAGO FIRE,’ ‘CHICAGO P.D.,’ LAW & ORDER: SVU’ AND ‘GRIMM’ FOR 2015-16 SEASON

Network Ranks #1 Among Big 4 Competition This Season in Adults 18-49 and All Key Demos

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. — Feb. 5, 2015 — NBC has announced it’s renewing dramas “The Blacklist” (season 3), “Chicago Fire” (season 4), “Chicago P.D.” (season 3), “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (season 17) and “Grimm” (season 5) for the 2015-16 season.

For the 2014-15 season to date, NBC ranks #1 among the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49 and all other key demographics. NBC’s 2.9 average rating for the season in adults 18-49 is the network’s highest through 19 weeks of the season since 2008-09 (3.1).

“The creative vision of the executive producers who’ve guided these outstanding dramas has been nothing short of incredible,” said Jennifer Salke, President, NBC Entertainment. “We’re highly appreciative of the passion they bring to their shows at every step of the creative process and we’re thrilled to reward that dedication with these renewals.”

“The Blacklist,” which is moving to its new 9 p.m. Thursday timeslot this week, is averaging a 5.1 rating, 15 share in adults 18-49 and 17.4 million viewers so far this season, according to “most current” averages from Nielsen Media Research. Boosted by its Feb. 2 post-Super Bowl telecast, “Blacklist” currently ranks #2 among Big 4 entertainment program this season in adults 18-49 behind only CBS’s “Big Bang Theory” and is the #4 entertainment series in total viewers. “The Blacklist” delivers the biggest average increase in television of time-shifted viewers going from next-day “live plus same day” ratings to “live plus seven day” results, increasing by 6.3 million viewers.

“The Blacklist” stars Emmy Award winner James Spader as ex-government agent Raymond “Red” Reddington, formerly one of the FBI’s Most Wanted fugitives. Brokering shadowy deals for criminals across the globe, Red was known by many as “The Concierge of Crime” and now the FBI work for him as he identifies a “blacklist” of politicians, mobsters, spies and international terrorists. He will help catch them all… with the caveat that Elizabeth “Liz” Keen (Megan Boone) continues to work as his partner.

“The Blacklist, from Sony Pictures Television and Davis Entertainment, also stars Diego Klattenhoff, Harry Lennix, Ryan Eggold, Amir Arison and Mozhan Marno.

At 10 p.m. Tuesdays, “Chicago Fire” is delivering a 2.8 rating, 9 share in adults 18-49 and 10.1 million viewers overall this season, making it NBC’s #2 drama in both measures. “Chicago Fire” has ranked #1 or tied for #1 in 18-49 among the time period’s dramas on ABC, CBS and NBC through 11 of 13 original telecasts so far this season.

From Emmy winner Dick Wolf, “Chicago Fire” is an edge-of-your-seat view into the lives of everyday heroes committed to one of America’s noblest professions. For the firefighters, rescue squad and paramedics of Chicago Firehouse 51, no occupation is more stressful or dangerous, yet so rewarding and exhilarating. These courageous men and women are among the elite who forge headfirst into danger when everyone else is running the other way and whose actions make the difference between life and death.

The series, from Universal Television and Wolf Films, also stars Jesse Spencer, Taylor Kinney, Eamonn Walker, Monica Raymund, Kara Kilmer, Charlie Barnett, David Eigenberg, Yuri Sardarov, Joe Minoso and Christian Stolte.

Airing at 10 p.m. Wednesdays, “Chicago P.D.” is earning a 2.3 rating, 7 share in adults 18-49 and 9.4 million viewers overall this season, for gains versus last season of +10% in 18-49 and +14% in total viewers. “Chicago P.D.” has finished #1 or tied for #1 among ABC, CBS and NBC in the time period with five of its last six original broadcasts through Feb. 2.

From Dick Wolf and the team behind the hit series “Chicago Fire,” ‘Chicago P.D.” is a riveting police drama about the men and women of the Chicago Police Department’s elite Intelligence Unit, combatting the city’s most heinous offenses — organized crime, drug trafficking, high-profile murders and beyond.

The series, from Universal Television and Wolf Films, stars Jason Beghe as gritty and determined Det. Sgt. Hank Voight. Also starring are Jon Seda, Jesse Lee Soffer, Sophia Bush, Elias Koteas, Patrick John Flueger, LaRoyce Hawkins, Marina Squerciati, Amy Morton and Brian Geraghty.

The longest-running drama on television set to enter its 17th season in the fall, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” is averaging a 2.5 rating, 7 share in 18-49 and 9.5 million viewers. That matches the show’s highest 18-49 rating at this point in the season in four years (since earning a 2.8 in 2010-11). In total viewers, “Law & Order: SVU” is up +10% this season versus last (9.5 million vs. 8.7 million), and is delivering its biggest overall audience at this point in the season in six years (since averaging 10.5 million in 2008-09).

Also from Universal Television and Wolf Films, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” chronicles the life and crimes of the Special Victims Unit of the New York City Police Department, an elite squad of detectives who investigate sexually based crimes.

The series stars Emmy and Golden Globe winner Mariska Hargitay as Sgt, Olivia Benson, acting commander of the SVU. Also starring are Ice-T, Danny Pino, Kelli Giddish, Raúl Esparza and Peter Scanavino.

A Friday night success story, “Grimm” has averaged a 2.1 rating, 7 share in adults 18-49 and 7.2 million viewers overall so far this season, making it Friday’s #1 scripted series in 18-49 on the Big 4 networks. “Grimm” is one of the most time-shifted shows on broadcast television, with its originals growing by an average of +83% going from “live plus same day” Nielsens to “live plus seven day.”

“Grimm” is inspired by the classic Grimm Brothers’ fairy tales. The series stars David Giuntoli as Portland homicide detective Nick Burkhardt, who discovers he’s descended from an elite line of criminal profilers known as Grimms and increasingly finds his responsibilities as a detective at odds with his new responsibilities as a Grimm.

The series, from Universal Television and Hazy Mills Productions, also stars Russell Hornsby, Bitsie Tulloch, Silas Weir Mitchell, Reggie Lee, Sasha Roiz, Bree Turner and Claire Coffee.

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