NBC is bringing back pilot season, but is it a genuine revival or just a nostalgic nod? Many in the television industry might feel a pang of familiarity as NBC makes a surprising return to the traditional pilot season. While this move evokes a desire to revisit a more prosperous era of network television, it's important to note that this isn't a carbon copy of pilot seasons from yesteryear.
The Peacock network has already greenlit six pilots for 2026, comprising five dramas and one comedy. Industry insiders suggest that even more pilot orders are on the horizon. To put this in perspective, this is the most pilots NBC has commissioned since before the COVID-19 pandemic and a significant jump, doubling the number ordered in 2025.
However, actors, don't start packing your bags for a temporary move to Burbank just yet! It's crucial to understand that there's no indication that NBC or other major broadcast networks are completely abandoning the year-round development model they've adopted. Before the streaming revolution, the four major broadcasters would typically order, staff, cast, and shoot over 50 pilots within a few months leading up to the upfronts in May. While that all-encompassing approach isn't making a full comeback, NBC is certainly keen on re-engaging with the traditional pilot window.
According to an NBC executive who recently spoke with Variety, the network genuinely wants to lean back into the pilot season model. This particular year marks the first time in a while that external factors, such as the lingering effects of COVID and the 2023 double strike, haven't hindered their ability to select pilots within the conventional timeframe.
"The process worked so well for a long time for a reason, and we are really still very enthusiastic about it," the NBC executive shared.
But here's where it gets interesting: a strong procedural bent dominates nearly all of NBC's pilot orders this winter. This even extends to their sole comedy pilot, an untitled PI single-cam project from the acclaimed duo behind "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," Dan Goor and Luke Del Tredici. The drama pilots include a reboot of the classic "The Rockford Files," "What the Dead Know," which centers on a death investigator and hails from Dick Wolf's Wolf Entertainment, and "Puzzled," a story about a star athlete who, after a brain injury, becomes exceptionally skilled at solving crimes.
Even the one project that slightly deviates from this trend, "Protection" from writers Josh Safran and Jenna Bush Hager, still aligns with a law enforcement theme, focusing on a family in law enforcement who become targets of a mysterious assassin.
And this is the part most people miss: case-of-the-week hours are experiencing a surge in demand. This comes as audiences have shown less appetite for high-budget, heavily serialized shows in recent years. NBC's current programming is already heavily populated with procedurals, including their two "Law & Order" series and the "One Chicago" dramas.
Reflecting on the enduring appeal of procedurals, the NBC executive explained, "You can dip in and watch something that has a really satisfying beginning, middle and end… and it’s very appealing. Or you could also watch five seasons in a row and never leave your couch and it’s very appealing."
NBC isn't the only network showing renewed interest in the traditional pre-upfronts pilot calendar. ABC has a spinoff of "The Rookie" in development, starring Jay Ellis, alongside a comedy from Rachel Bloom. CBS is also on board with comedies like "Eternally Yours" from the "Ghosts" creators and "Regency" from Tara Hernandez. (It's worth noting that Fox is still opting out of the traditional pilot season model).
In a surprising twist, even streamers are now recognizing the value of pilots. Like many other aspects of the TV industry that were somewhat overlooked during the peak of the streaming era, series pilots can be an incredibly effective tool for gauging a show's potential. As the industry initially rushed to emulate the Netflix model of "order first, figure out the details later," pilots largely fell by the wayside.
However, the landscape is shifting. Hulu, particularly with the influence of John Landgraf's FX team, has commissioned several pilots recently. HBO Max is also actively involved in the pilot process with projects like the cop drama "American Blue" and the family drama "How To Survive Without Me" from Greg Berlanti, Bash Doran, and Robbie Rogers.
Then there's Netflix, the very streamer that disrupted the traditional network playbook. While Netflix has largely eschewed pilots in its development, it recently picked up the "A Different World" sequel series after ordering a pilot for it in early 2025. Perhaps in the world of television, it's not such a different world after all.
What are your thoughts on NBC's return to pilot season? Do you think this signals a broader trend, or is it a specific strategy for NBC? Let us know in the comments below!
