One big happy company: Steve Burke at NBCUni

Why combine NBCUniversal’s broadcast and cable presentations? “We manage that company as one company,” said CEO Steve Burke at the company’s Upfront on Monday. “Hopefully this will come through during our two hours today.”

NBC, poised to finish first for the full 52-week September to September 2015-16 primetime season in A18-49, announced three new series, as well as a Thursday NFL package. “Coming off the Rio Olympics in August, we can’t wait to get the fall underway,” said Robert Greenblatt, chairman, NBC Entertainment. Drama highlights include This Is Us, from Dan Fogelman (Crazy, Stupid, Love), where seemingly disparate people’s lives intersect in the most curious ways; and Timeless, from Eric Kripke (Revolution) and Shawn Ryan (The Shield), focused a scientist, soldier and history professor who must change the past while trying to capture a dangerous fugitive.

Midseason dramas include Taken, which will air at 10p Mondays in the prime post-Voice timeslot, spin-off Chicago Justice, Emerald City, a reimagination of The Wizard of Oz, spin-off The Blacklist: Redemption, and Midnight, Texas, based on the hit book about the vampires, witches, psychics and hit men who inhabit this small town.

On the comedy side, this fall Emmy Award winner Mike Schur returns to NBC with The Good Place, starring Kristen Bell and Ted Danson. One of the most anticipated shows of the new season is the return of The New Celebrity Apprentice, with Arnold Schwarzenegger taking control of the boardroom post-Donald Trump. Said Paul Telegdy, NBC Entertainment President of Alternative and Late Night Programming, “We can honestly say we’ve never been more excited about a new slate of alternative series than we are this year.” More on NBCUni cable tomorrow…

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