by Ramona Zacharias

“We are in business to create and deliver content so compelling it entertains, informs and shapes our world… As we grow our businesses together, we will not just anticipate the future, but rather create, invent and deliver it.”—NBC

So read the first and final lines of NBCUniversal’s credo. And if the past few years are any indication, they are certainly living every word, as they inch ever closer to dominating the entertainment universe. The National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) dates back to 1926 when it was co-founded by General Electric, RCA, and Westinghouse. Initially focused on radio, the organization moved into television broadcasting in the ’40s. RCA took over sole ownership in 1932 until 1986, when RCA was taken over by General Electric, making GE the sole owner and operator of NBC.

Until recently that is. On January 28, 2011, NBCUniversal was acquired by Comcast Corporation, initially by way of a 51% majority stakehold. Upon closing of the agreement, Stephen B. Burke, former Chief Operating Officer of Comcast, took over as Chief Executive Officer of NBCUniversal, and in March of this year the takeover was complete with Comcast purchasing the remaining 49% for just shy of $17 billion. With this merger, NBCUniversal added a series of new cable networks to its group, including E!, Style, and Golf Channel, cementing its commitment to providing a wide range of entertainment, news and sports programming. The company owns and operates a multitude of television networks, the Universal Studios motion picture company and theme parks, television production companies, and a number of internet-based businesses.

NBC shows are well established as leading in the industry, having been recognized with close to 1,000 Emmy Awards (more than any other network in history) and over 100 Peabody Awards.

Besides receiving industry accolades for their programming, NBCUniversal’s corporate practices have also garnered their fair share of recognition, particularly in regard to diversity and equality in the workplace. Most recently the company received a score of 100 (out of a possible 100) on the Human Rights Campaign’s 2013 Corporate Equality Index, the national benchmarking tool for American employees on business practices relating to LBGT employees.

Current and Upcoming Programming

In addition to its numerous news, sports and reality programs, NBCUniversal has several scripted programs, both currently airing and slated for fall premiere. Having bid farewell earlier this year to two fan favorites, 30 Rock and The Office, hopes are high for many of the new series.

RETURNING SERIES

Chicago Fire (Showrunner: Matt Olmstead)

Starring Jesse Spencer (House MD), Taylor Kinney (The Vampire Diaries), Monica Raymund (Lie to Me) and Lauren German (Hawaii Five-O), Chicago Fire follows the lives and relationships of the firefighters and rescue squad of Chicago Firehouse 51. With the aforementioned cast and executive producer Dick Wolf (Law & Order), creators Derek Haas and Michael Brandt (3:10 to Yuma) and showrunner Matt Olmstead (Prison Break) at the helm, it’s little wonder the one-hour weekly drama experienced an extremely successful first season; so much so that its spinoff, Chicago PD, is premiering this fall. The second season of Chicago Fire premieres September 24 and will air Tuesday nights at 10/9 central.

Community (Showrunner: Dan Harmon)

After having been dismissed a year ago, Season 5 sees the return of Dan Harmon as showrunner, although this joyous news was somewhat tainted recently when Harmon made some pretty harsh comments concerning his opinion of Season 4 via his live podcast Harmontown. Quick to apologize to Community fans, the cast and crew, and the Season 4 writers for his impulsive remarks, we can assume that Harmon is back to work on the upcoming season, and that fans will soon forgive the inappropriate review.

Grimm (Showrunners: Jim Kouf, David Greenwalt)

Returning for a third season Fridays this fall, Grimm follows Nick Burkhardt (David Giuntoli, Turn the Beat Around), a homicide detective who discovers there’s a supernatural element to his family history. In an interview prior to the series premiere, showrunner David Greenwalt describes the series as “a marriage of a police procedural and a mythological fracturing fairytales every week.” Also starring Silas Weir Mitchell, Reggie Lee (both of Prison Break), Russell Hornsby (Lincoln Heights) and Sasha Roiz (Caprica), Grimm’s third season premieres on October 25. Episodes will air Fridays at 9/8 central.

Hannibal (Showrunner: Bryan Fuller)

Hailed by the New York Post as “the most beautifully shot and produced show on network TV”, Hannibal enjoyed an extremely successful first season. Starring Hugh Dancy (Hysteria) as Will Graham, the beautifully-creepy Mads Mikkleson (Casino Royale) as Dr. Hannibal Lecter and Laurence J. Fishburne III (Othello) as Special Agent Jack Crawford, the series is written by Bryan Fuller (Pushing Daisies, Dead Like Me) and follows Thomas Harris’ well-known characters from the very beginning. Season 2 premiere TBA.

Law and Order: SVU (Showrunner: Warren Leight)

Hard to believe but Dick Wolf’s incredibly successful spinoff about an elite group of New York police detectives who investigate sexually-based crimes as part of the Special Victims Unit is back for a fifteenth season this fall. Original cast members Mariska Hargitay, Ice-T, Dann Florek and Richard Belzer reprise their roles alongside the returning Danny Pino (Cold Case) who filled the void left by Christopher Meloni after the show’s twelfth season. Law and Order: SVU premieres September 25 and airs Wednesday evenings at 9/8 central.

Parenthood (Showrunner: Jason Katims)

Based on the film of the same name, Parenthood stars Lauren Graham (Gilmore Girls), Craig T. Nelson (Coach) and Erika Christensen (Traffic) in the story of the Braverman family. In an interview at the end of Season 4, showrunner Jason Katims says, “We’ve been lucky to have been able to tell as many stories as we have so far. Doing the show is a labor of love for really everybody involved. I really doubt it will get to the point where I feel creatively we’re out of stories to tell.” Now entering its fifth season, the show will premiere on September 26 and air Thursdays at 10/9 central.

Parks and Recreation (Showrunner: Michael Schur)

Returning for a sixth season, the series stars Amy Poehler (Saturday Night Live), Rashida Jones (I Love You, Man) and Rob Lowe (Brothers & Sisters). Showrunner Michael Schur will be splitting his time between Parks & Rec and a new creation, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, starring Andy Samberg. Earlier this year, Schur spoke to his process for selecting writers: “It’s based on samples and just humor, but I’ve hired people for Parks and Rec… I hired Megan Amram because of her Twitter feed. She was so funny on Twitter that I was like, ‘Any brain that can come up with this many great, funny jokes every day is worth having on your writing staff.’ And I hired Chelsea from her stand-up and from meeting her in person and realizing that she’s a crazy person who’s funny. It’s not always a specific sample. Sometimes, it’s a sample, or sometimes it’s a meeting, or sometimes it’s a piece of material or whatever, but I think there’s a tremendous value to having lots of different kinds of people on your staff, especially for a show set in New York City. There are a lot of different kinds of people in New York. If you had nine stand-ups who lived in LA, you’d be doing yourself a disservice. We’re definitely aiming for diversity, not just racial diversity, but of life experience—people from different parts of the country who came to LA from different places, different paths, and different kinds of stories. I think that’s incredibly valuable.” Parks and Recreation’s sixth season premiere is slated for September 26, and episodes will air Thursdays at 8/7 central.

Revolution (Showrunner: Eric Kripke)

Revolution was another of NBC’s 2012 success stories and is returning for a second season Wednesdays this fall. Described by the network’s website as an “epic adventure,” the show examines a world that loses all technology and is a collaboration between J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot Productions and Supernatural writer Eric Kripke. Speaking to his writing process in an interview conducted shortly before the series premiere, Kripke says, “I wanted to tell an old story that was about a journey, the way that Star Wars is the same story as The Lord of the Rings, which is the same story as The Wizard of Oz, which is the same story as The Odyssey.  There’s one great story, and it’s big, and it’s sweeping, and it’s epic and it’s complicated.  I wanted to tell that story, using the advantage of the medium of series television.  The disadvantage that Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings had, as much as I’m a slave to those movies, is that they don’t have 22 hours a season, hopefully, to tell that story and to really flesh out every facet of their world.  I thought this would be a great opportunity to use the television medium to really be able to dive, neck deep, into that type of story.” Season two of Revolution premieres September 25 and episodes will air Wednesdays at 8/7 central.

CURRENT SERIES

Camp (Showrunners: Liz Heldens, Peter Elkoff)

Newest to the NBC primetime lineup of scripted shows is the one-hour dramedy Camp, which premiered on July 10 and airs Wednesdays at 10/9 central. The series follows Mackenzie Granger (Rachel Griffiths, Six Feet Under), newly-divorced owner and director of Little Otter Family Camp trying to struggle her way through summer. Already receiving positive reviews for its charm and sweetness, Camp is created by Liz Heldens (Friday Night Lights) and Peter Elkoff (Deception) and also stars Rodger Corser (Underbelly) and newcomer Charles Grounds.

Crossing Lines (Showrunners: Edward Allen Bernero, Rola Bauer)

Premiering on June 23, Crossing Lines stars William Fichtner (Prison Break) and Donald Sutherland (The Pillars of the Earth) in this action drama that follows a team of police officers investigating international crimes in the pursuit of global criminals. From the show’s page on the NBC website: “Through globalization, many countries have been opened and barriers removed to ensure easy trade, travel and cultural diversity. However, this openness has given opportunities to criminals looking to exploit the system and ultimately threaten our global safety. As Europe has become a “safe house” for criminals eluding law enforcers, a special kind of law enforcement team is needed to handle specific ongoing crimes on a global level. Crossing Lines is the story of one such team.” Crossing Lines was created by Edward Allen Bernero (Criminal Minds) and Tandem Communications president Rola Bauer (The Pillars of the Earth), both of whom serve as executive producers alongside Jonas Bauer (The Company) and Tim Halkin (Labyrinth). The series airs Sundays at 10/9 central.

NEW SERIES

About a Boy (Showrunner: Jason Katims)

Translating this sweet and hilarious novel by Nick Hornby to the big screen over a decade ago proved a deserved success. Hugh Grant, Toni Collette, Rachel Weisz and Nicholas Hoult made for a great ensemble in the tale of a charming albeit chauvinistic bachelor who fakes parenthood to meet single mothers… and ends up getting more than he bargained for with a young boy in need of a decent parent figure. Will the move to small screen 11 years later fly or flop? With Jason Katims pulling showrunner double duty (as he is also at the helm of Parenthood) and David Walton (New Girl), Minnie Driver (Good Will Hunting) and Benjamin Stockham (1600 Penn) in leading roles, it could most certainly live up to the Hornby reputation. Fingers crossed. Season premiere date and schedule TBA.

The Blacklist (Showrunner: John Eisendrath)

James Spader (The Practice) leads the cast in this upcoming crime drama from director Joe Carnahan (The A-Team, The Grey), showrunner John Eisendrath (Alias, My Own Worst Enemy) and writer/executive producer Jon Bokenkamp (Taking Lives). Spader stars as Raymond “Red” Reddington, longtime fugitive and criminal mastermind. In a bizarre twist, Reddington gives himself up to the FBI, striking a deal to help them take down an infamous terrorist…but he will only speak with newbie agent Liz Keen (played by Megan Boone of Law & Order: Los Angeles). The Blacklist premieres on September 23 and will air Monday nights at 10/9 central.

Believe (Showrunner: Alfonso Cuaron)

With a powerhouse team of executive producers J.J. Abrams (Revolution, Star Trek: Into Darkness), Bryan Burk (Lost, Fringe), executive producer/writer Mark Friedman (The Forgotten) and executive producer/writer/director/showrunner Alfonso Cuaron (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Children of Men) behind it, this one’s got to be good. Newcomer Johnny Sequoyah plays Bo, a little girl with big powers. Whether it’s moving things with her mind or predicting the future, she’s special. And in danger. Enter Tate (Warrior’s Jake McLaughlin), a wrongfully-convicted death row inmate who is broken out of prison for the sole purpose of protecting her. Series premiere date TBA.

Chicago PD (Showrunner: Matt Olmstead)

It’s not often a show’s first season is so successful that it warrants a spinoff. But here it is: Chicago Fire’s baby, Chicago PD. Starring Jason Beghe (Chicago Fire’s Detective Hank Voight, Californication), Jon Seda (Chicago Fire’s Antonio Dawson, The Pacific) and Tania Raymonde (Chicago Fire’s Nicole Sermons, Lost) and from a Law & Order/Chicago Fire production team that includes Dick Wolf, Matt Olmstead, Michael Brandt and Peter Jankowski, this incarnation will focus on District 21 of the Chicago Police Department. Whether it’s the beat cops patrolling the streets of the Windy City or the Intelligence Unit detectives tackling high profile crimes and drug trafficking, Chicago PD will focus on the professional and personal lives of those who work inside and outside of the station house. Series premiere date TBA.

Crisis (Showrunner: Rand Ravich)

From executive producer/writer Rand Ravich (Life), executive producer Far Shariat (I Love You Phillip Morris) and executive producer/director Phillip Noyce (Patriot Games) comes the one-hour political thriller Crisis. Starring Dermot Mulroney (My Best Friend’s Wedding), Gillian Anderson (The X Files) and Rachael Taylor (666 Park Avenue), the series focuses on a hostage situation that pits high-profile politicians and international dignitaries against a criminal mastermind and examines the question of what they would be willing to do to protect their children. Series premiere date TBA.

Crossbones (Showrunner: Neil Cross)

Like many of the other new shows NBC has in store, this one boasts a pretty impressive cast and crew. From writer/executive producer Neil Cross (Luther) and executive producers Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald (Gladiator) and Ted Gold (Three Rivers), this one-hour drama focuses on Blackbeard’s reign in New Providence and Tom Lowe, the undercover assassin sent to eliminate the infamous pirate. Still in its very early stages, all we know is that John Malkovich is cast as Blackbeard. And really, do we need anything else? Other cast members and series premiere date TBA.

Dracula (Showrunner: Dan Knauf)

Expect this to be one of the fall’s more popular offerings. Starring The Tudors’ Jonathan Rhys Meyers in the title role and from the production team that brought us the immensely popular Downton Abbey, this latest take on Bram Stoker’s classic novel sees the world’s most famous vampire in 19^th century London. Although posing as an American scientist and innovator, his mission has ulterior motives. With HBO’s Carnivale creator Dan Knauf in the role of showrunner, this should be an interesting and provocative Gothic drama. Dracula premieres on October 25 and will air Friday nights at 10/9 central.

Growing Up Fisher (Showrunner: DJ Nash)

Narrated by Jason Bateman (Arrested Development) and starring J.K. Simmons (Law & Order) and Jenna Elfman (Dharma & Greg), Growing Up Fisher is a half-hour, single-camera comedy that revolves around blind Mel Fisher and his wife Joyce, soon-to-be-divorced parents of Katie and Henry (Southland’s Ava Deluca-Verley and Eli Baker). Bateman is also executive producer, along with Jim Garavente, and the pilot episode is directed by David Schwimmer (Run Fatboy Run, Little Britain USA). DJ Nash (Up All Night) is executive producer/writer and showrunner. Series premiere date TBA.

Ironside (Showrunner: Ken Sanzel)

Another in a lengthy list of one-hour crime dramas airing on NBC this fall, Ironside stars Blair Underwood (L.A. Law) as Robert Ironside, a New York detective whose confinement to a wheelchair serves as a physical limitation only; as far as attitude goes, he’s just as committed as ever to doing whatever it takes to bring down the bad guys. From executive producer/writer Michael Caleo (The Sopranos), executive producers Teri Weinberg (The Tudors), John Davis (Predator), John Fox, Ron West and David Semel (Heroes) and director Peter Horton (Grey’s Anatomy), Ironside premieres October 2 and airs Wednesdays at 10/9 central.

The Michael J. Fox Show (Showrunners: Will Gluck, Sam Laybourne)

Michael J. Fox (Spin City) returns to primetime situation comedy with this series courtesy of executive producers Sam Laybourne (Cougar Town) and Will Gluck (Easy A). In this art-mirroring-life comedy, news anchor Mike Henry (Fox) is returning to work after taking an extended leave of absence following a diagnosis of Parkinson’s. Unbeknownst to Mike, his return to the news desk is orchestrated by his family, who are eager to get him active and working again. The show also stars Betsy Brandt (Breaking Bad) and Wendell Pierce (The Wire) and premieres September 26 at 9/8 central.

The Night Shift (Showrunners: Gabe Sachs, Jeff Judah)

Supernatural mystery? Check. Political thriller? Check. Police drama? Check check. NBC’s fall lineup has a little bit of everything, and The Night Shift throws medical drama into the mix. Starring Eoin Macken (The Adventures of Merlin), Freddy Rodriguez (Six Feet Under), Brendan Fehr (Roswell), Ken Leung (Lost) and Jill Flint (Royal Pains), the series revolves around Dr. TC Callahan (Macken) and his team who work the 7pm-7am shift at San Antonio Memorial Hospital. From executive producers/writers Gabe Sachs and Jeff Judah (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Freaks and Geeks), the show’s premiere date is TBA.

Sean Saves the World (Showrunner: Victor Fresco)

With his Will & Grace costar Eric McCormack currently starring as a crime-solving, schizophrenic college professor on TNT drama Perception, Sean Hayes is returning to situation comedy with this offering from executive producer/writer/showrunner Victor Fresco (Better Off Ted, Andy Richter Controls the Universe). Hayes plays Sean, a divorced dad who’s trying to balance increased demands at work that are coinciding with his 14-year old daughter moving in. Trying to be the perfect employee, son and father has its challenges, which Sean will tackle Thursday nights at 9/8 central. Sean Saves the World also stars Megan Hilty (Smash), Linda Lavin (Alice) and newcomer Sami Isler. Season premiere airs October 3.

Undateable (Showrunner: Adam Sztykiel)

With both of their shows airing final episodes earlier this year (Whitney for D’Elia and Rules of Engagement for Kajlich), Chris D’Elia and Bianca Kajlich have moved on to star as brother and sister Danny and Leslie in this half-hour comedy from executive producer/writer Adam Sztykiel (Due Date), director Scott Ellis (Guys with Kids) and executive producers Bill Lawrence (Scrubs) and Jeff Ingold. Danny has a new roommate Justin (Brent Morin, Chelsea Lately) who, along with his group of friends, isn’t so hot in the romance department. A self-proclaimed expert in this area, Danny takes on the “Undateables” as a project, vowing to teach them everything they need to know to succeed with the opposite sex; apparently forgetting to specify that his single-parent sister is off-limits. Series premiere date TBA.

Welcome to the Family (Showrunner: Mike Sikowitz)

Starring Mike O’Malley (Glee), Mary McCormack (The West Wing), Ricardo Chavira (Desperate Housewives) and Justina Machado (Six Feet Under), this half-hour comedy relays the story of the Yoder and Hernandez families whose lives are about to change with the announcement that the their newly high school-graduated kids are engaged… and pregnant. Not even interested in being friends, these two sets of parents are suddenly forced to come to terms with the fact that they’re going to become relatives. From creator/writer/executive producer/showrunner Mike Sikowitz (Rules of Engagement) and executive producer Jamie Tarses (Franklin & Bash), Welcome to the Family premieres October 3 and airs Thursdays at 8:30/7:30 central.

The NBCUniversal Portfolio:

Television

• NBC Television Network
• NBC Owned Television Stations: New York (WNBC), Los Angeles (KNBC), Chicago (WMAQ), Philadelphia (WCAU), San Francisco Bay Area (KNTV), Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS), Washington (WRC), Miami (WTVJ), San Diego (KNSD), Connecticut (WVIT)
• Telemundo Network & Stations (Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Houston, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, San Francisco-San Jose, Phoenix, Fresno, Denver, Las Vegas, Boston-Merrimack, Tucson, and the independent Puerto Rico station)
• NBC Entertainment
• NBC News
• NBC Sports & Olympics
• Bravo
• Chiller
• Cloo
• CNBC
• CNBC World
• Comcast Sports Group
• E! Entertainment Television
• G4
• Golf Channel
• MSNBC
• mun2
• Oxygen Media
• Sprout
• Style Network
• Syfy
• Universal HD
• USA Network
• VERSUS
• The Weather Channel Companies
• International Television, including Universal Networks International, International Television Distribution, and International Television Production
• Universal Television
• Universal Cable Productions
• NBCUniversal Domestic Television Distribution

Film

• Universal Pictures
• Focus Features
• Universal Studios Home Entertainment
• Universal Pictures International Entertainment

Digital Media

• DailyCandy
• Fandango
• Hulu
• iVillage
• NBC.com
• CNBC Digital

Parks & Resorts

• Universal Parks & Resorts: Florida, California, Singapore & Japan