The 2020-2021 network television season gets underway later this month. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s going to be an atypical fall for the networks. The CW, for example, will hold most of its new and returning shows until January 2021. This fall, the network will air a mix of scripted and unscripted programming, including the final episodes of long-running Supernatural. FOX will also hold many of its biggest scripted hits until January 2021. CBS plans to delay the start of its new season until November, by airing repeats and other programming (including air the first season of Star Trek: Discovery).
What does all this mean for fall preview specials? So far, FOX appears to be the only network with a scheduled fall preview special.
FOX – “The 2020 FOX Fall Preview”
Ken Jeong and Charissa Thompson host this half-hour special on Sunday, September 13th from 9-9:30PM ET on FOX. A full press release is available at the futon critic. Wednesday, September 16th, 2020 Update: You can watch “The 2020 FOX Fall Preview” at the FOX website and Hulu (click on Watch Trailer to view the entire special).
The broadcast of the FOX preview varies according to channel. Some aired it this weekend, although one station that was suppose to air it pre-empted it for drag racing.
The NBC Peacock preview also seemed to double as their fall TV preview.
ABC, CBS and the CW don’t seem to have more than a few new shows each this fall so I can’t see them bothering with a preview. There may be more promotion for the spring shows.
Has social-distancing allowed anything to be filmed for the new television season? I must admit that, with the exception of a few shows on PBS, it’s been years since I’ve been interested in finding out if there’s anything new on TV.
I used to buy TV Guide once a year to get the Fall Preview issue, and read through the dozens of new shows to see what seemed worth checking out. Now it seems as though my brain’s reached its quota of Shows To Care About, and I’m more interested in learning about shows that aired 50 or 60 years ago. I wish the networks well, but I won’t be watching any preview shows.
There’s very little in the way of new shows on this fall. Most of the stuff has been held until mid-season. I’m guessing that a lot of it had filmed before shutdown, but many shows are getting back to filming now for stuff to air in November.
The FOX Fall Preview already aired here in Los Angeles on September 5.
The Chicago CW station, WCIU 26, aired a locally produced preview special.
Haven’t seen the Peacock preview, did that air on broadcast TV?
The Peacock preview aired as the 30 Rock reunion. But it was really just a preview show.
You can watch the “2020 FOX Fall Preview” special at the FOX website and Hulu (you made need to click on Watch Trailer to view the entire special).
Back in 1967, CBS almost renewed Gilligan’s Island, but it was reversed and get Gunsmoke. Now, ABC almost renewed Stumptown, but it was reversed and get For Life.