NBC "Optimistic" Lockout will End, NFL Football will Return

by Dave Cariello on May 16, 2011 11:00 AM CDT

Yesterday, NBC outlined it's 2011 fall primetime programming schedule and it's popular staple Sunday Night Football still remains firmly in their plans, though they do have a backup plan just in case. NBC Entertainment Chairman Bob Greenblatt commented on the networks intentions:

By devoting its Sunday night prime-time schedule in the fall to pro football, NBC appeared confident that the NFL's labor problems would be solved. Greenblatt said NBC is developing some high-profile reality competitions as substitutes for football but said that "we're feeling pretty optimistic that football will be there."

I'm glad Greenblatt is optimistic, because I'm not. I also don't have billions of my company's dollars at stake so perhaps his optimism is a bit optimistic. Hopefully, Greenblatt knows something that we don't. But if he truly did think the NFL lockout situation would be resolved in time, NBC wouldn't be wasting time and money coming up with substitute reality competitions just in case now would they?

Tweet Comment 3 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

A few points to ponder

1. Stock values go down relative to the chances of profitability, which in television translates to viewership. So in order to keep stock values high, what do you expect Greenblatt to say?

2. Stock values would probably still fall if it were perceived that NBC had no fallback position—and so NBC has one, whether or not they expect to need it.

3. Reality shows are cheap. NBC can always use the ones they develop in another time slot, if they don’t need them as a fallback for a failed football season. It doesn’t necessarily serve as a gauge of their confidence.

All in all, I think this is nothing but PR fluff. It’s purposely ambiguous.

It was good while it lasted.

by MtnExile on May 16, 2011 11:23 AM CDT reply actions

"Purposely ambiguous"

Sounds like my ex…..

Repeat? Under construction...

by FrenchFreak on May 16, 2011 1:40 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

He can truly feel like the lockout will end

but he’s not there making the negotiations so he can’t make a deal happen between the 2 sides. On that note, is it a bad thing to be prepared? To me it seems a whole lot better than being unprepared for the worst

Let's have a 2011 season. Get a deal done

by skinnykinney on May 16, 2011 3:31 PM CDT reply actions