NBC Shakes Up Comedy Lineup: “Stumble” Gets a Boost, ”The Paper” Finds its Audience
NBC is strategically adjusting its comedy programming, aiming to maximize viewership across both its linear channels and streaming platform, Peacock. Here’s a breakdown of the changes and what they mean for you, the viewer.
“Stumble” Gains Visibility
Currently airing Fridays at 8:30 p.m. ET following “Happy’s Place,” the junior college cheerleading mockumentary “stumble” will receive additional exposure. NBC plans to air repeat episodes, beginning with the pilot, on Mondays after “St. Denis Medical.”
This move is designed to build momentum for the series, which was created by Jeff and Liz Astrof. The Monday slot will be utilized through February 2, with a break for an NBA game on January 19.
A Look Inside “Stumble”
The show boasts a talented cast, including Jenn Lyon, Taran Killam, and Kristin Chenoweth in a recurring role. Season 1 also features guest appearances from Jeff Hiller, Ashlie Atkinson, and Dascha Polanco.
Notably, the series is executive produced by Monica Aldama, known for her role in the popular Netflix docuseries “Cheer.” Universal TV is the studio behind this single-camera comedy, which has already been picked up for 13 episodes. Variety praised “Stumble” as ”a hysterical mockumentary” for fans of “Cheer” and Aldama’s coaching style.
“The Paper” Completes its NBC Run & Thrives on Peacock
Meanwhile, the comedy series ”The Paper” is wrapping up its broadcast run on NBC. While it won’t reach a full 10-episode order on mondays, the remaining three episodes will air on Saturday, January 3.
However,”The Paper” is already readily available on Peacock,where you can binge-watch the entire first season. In fact, the show is Peacock’s second most popular comedy, trailing only “Ted.”
Cross-Platform Success & Demographic Reach
NBC’s decision to re-air “The Paper” on its linear channel proved accomplished, adding nearly 6 million viewers to its overall reach. Internal studies revealed minimal overlap – around 4% – between NBC and Peacock audiences.
This suggests that the NBC run effectively exposed “The Paper” to a different demographic, with NBC viewers being roughly a decade older than those on Peacock. A second season of “The Paper” has already been greenlit, slated to premiere on Peacock in 2026.
Looking Ahead: “The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins”
The Monday 8:30 p.m. ET slot will eventually be filled by a new comedy,”The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins.” The series will debut with a one-hour premiere on February 23 at 8 p.m.ET, then settle into its regular timeslot the following week, on March 2.
Key Takeaways for Viewers:
* “Stumble”: Fridays at 8:30 p.m. ET, with repeats on Mondays.
* “The Paper”: Final episodes on NBC January 3; full season streaming on Peacock.
* “the Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins”: Premieres February 23 at 8 p.m. ET, then moves to Mondays at 8:30 p.m. ET.
These strategic programming moves demonstrate NBC’s commitment to leveraging both its traditional broadcast platform and its streaming service to reach a wider audience and cultivate successful comedy franchises.You can stay up-to-date with all the latest developments on NBC’s website and Peacock.