NBC: Now TV skids into reverse

After decades of expansion, the TV world is throwing itself into reverse.
NBC is now the second network to announce a September schedule with no new scripted shows. Fox had done the same.
For NBC, at least, there are some redeeming steps:
— Two spots remain vacant. In November, they’ll apparently go to new comedies, nestled behind “St. Denis Medical” and “Happy’s Place” (shown here), on Mondays and Fridays.
— Seven scripted shows will return Fox only has two, except for cartoons.
NBC did renew its three Chicago shows and two “Law & Order” shows (all five from producer Dick Wolf) and two first-year dramas — “Brilliant Minds” and “The Hunting Party.” It canceled two comedies (“Night Court” and “Lopez vs. Lopez”), plus dramas “Found,” “The Irrational” and”Suits: L.A.”
One of the open spots might go to a comedy co-written by Tina Fey and starring Tracy Morgan and Daniel Radcliffe. And after drawing praise this season for the “Americas” documentaries, NBC will have the eight-part “Surviving Earth.” It ponders survival amid prehistoric disasters.
Overall, however, NBC follows the trends of Fox and others. With scripted shows slipping, it turns to:
— Lower-cost reality shows. “On Brand With Jimmy Fallon” has a plan similar to some segments of “The Apprentice”: Contestants set up a shop to promote various brands.
— Sports. In October, it will be pro basketball on Tuesdays, college football on Saturdays, pro football on Sundays. Later, basketball has all three nights.
The September-October schedule:
MONDAYS: “The Voice,” 8 p.m.; “Brilliant Minds,” 10.
TUESDAYS: At first, “The Voice” at 8 and “On Brand” at 10; then, in October, pro basketball.
WEDNESDAYS: “Chicago Med,” “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago P.D.,” 8-11.
THURSDAYS: “Law & Order,” 8 p.m.; “Law & Order: Special Vicitms Unit.” 9; “The Hunting Party,” 10.
FRIDAYS: “On Brand,” 8 p.m.; “Dateline,” 9-11.
SATURDAYS: College football.
SUNDAYS: Pro football.