NBC sets plans for summer dominance

Even in an ordinary year, NBC tends to dominate the ratings. And Olympic years are quite extraordinary.
So the network will stick with what works this summer – “America’s Got Talent,” “American Ninja Warrior” (shown here) and three game shows – “Password,” “The Wall” and “Weakest Link.” It apparently won’t try anything new and won’t need to.
The Olympics are July 26 to Aug. 11 in Paris. With a six-hour time difference, most events will be during the daytime in the U.S. For the first time, NBC plans to show them live, then rerun them at night. In addition, Peacock will show all 329 medal events.
And the rest of the summer? NBC has topped the ratings for 13 straight summers and will stick to its usual shows, giving some a head start. That includes:
— “Weakest Link” arrives early, with new episodes at 10 p.m. Tuesdays, starting April 2. It moves to 10 p.m. Mondays, starting May 20, continuing through June.
— “American Ninja Warrior” also starts early. It has two specials – a women’s championship at 9 p.m. May 12 and a couples’ championship at 8 p.m. May 27 – before starting its season from 8-10 p.m. Monday, June 3.
— “America’s Got Talent,” the annual summertime ratings winner, will be 8-10 p.m. Tuesdays, starting May 28. When its live episodes begin (Aug. 13), it will add a results hour, at 8 p.m. Wednesdays.
— “Password” will follow “Talent” at 10 p.m. Tuesdays, starting May 28.
— “The Wall” will take over the 10 p.m. Monday spot, starting July 1.