NBC Delays Community Premiere, Cites Success As Reason Why

NBC Delays Community Premiere, Cites Success As Reason Why

Cult-fave Community has been having a lot of bad luck since last season. The show’s creator and executive producer, Dan Harmon, was fired. It’s fourth season has gotten a measly 13 episodes. And now, the worst luck of all – EW is reporting that Community‘s Oct. 19 premiere has been indefinitely delayed.

Here’s the official statement from NBC, which has also delayed the premiere of their other Friday night sitcom, Whitney –

Given the success we’ve had for the past four weeks –  including winning the first week of the season in A18-49 — we’ve decided to continue to concentrate our promotional strength on our new NBC shows that are scheduled Monday through Wednesday and have therefore decided to hold Community and Whitney from their previously announced premieres of October 19th.  Without having to launch these comedies on Friday at this time, we can keep our promotion focused on earlier in the week — plus we will have both comedies in our back pocket if we need to make any schedule changes on those nights.  When we have a better idea of viewing patterns in the next few weeks, we will announce new season premieres of Whitney and Community.

It’s no surprise that NBC wants to focus on it’s Monday through Wednesday schedule. The Peacock has been winning key demographics the last few weeks with Revolution, Go On, and other new shows. By giving some of their ad time to marketing shows like Community, which has never exactly been a ratings winner, they up the chance of losing their hard won spot at number one.

On the plus side, the premiere delay may wind up being a good thing for Community. No longer left to slowly die on Friday nights, it may get the chance to replace something else on a more premium night if NBC decides to cancel any of its current comedies. A place on Tuesday night after similarly offbeat comedy Go On, for example, could be a ratings boon for the show.

What do you think of Community‘s delayed premiere? Is this good news or bad news for the comedy? Share your thoughts in the comments below!


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Author Profile: Consumer Expert Marlan Moore

Marlan Moore is a freelance writer just getting his feet wet in this pond called the Internet. He hopes to one day write for film, TV, and comics, but until then, he is the managing editor of Inside AX - Anime Expo's official news and review site. His favorite drink is Thai iced tea, but he could really use a root beer float right about now.

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