NBC goes into a deep freeze

After a hot start in the fall thanks to “The Voice,” “Sunday Night Football” and the new drama “Revolution,” NBC has gone into a deep hibernation for the winter.

Ratings at the network have fallen dramatically as several freshman shows have tanked, and a few sophomores are on life support.

This week was particularly bad for the peacock network. On Tuesday, the musical “Smash” drew less than 5 million viewers in its season premiere. Although “Smash,” about the behind-the-scenes drama of Broadway, was hardly a hit last season, NBC Entertainment Chairman Bob Greenblatt is a big backer of the program. A new executive producer -- Josh Safran of “Gossip Girl” -- was brought in along with Jennifer Hudson as part of an overhaul of the show.

“Smash” isn’t the only program hitting a flat note. On Friday, NBC pulled its new drama “Do No Harm,” about a doctor with a split personality, from its schedule after the show’s second episode barely managed to attract more than 2 million viewers.

Another NBC drama, “Deception,” is also barely hanging in, and the White House comedy “1600 Penn” is unlikely to make it to a second term.

NBC suffered another blow when Christina Applegate, star of the sitcom “Up All Night,” said she was leaving the show. Seen as a potential hit when it premiered last season, the comedy about a young married couple trying to balance a new baby with their work and social life has gone through lots of turmoil behind the camera.

NBC hasn’t decided the fate of “Up All Night,” but even if the network brings it back with a new female lead, the odds of it making it to next season are long.

On the bright side, it’s less than two months before “The Voice” is back again.

ALSO:

‘Smash’ is no smash in its return

Christina Applegate quits NBC’s ‘Up All Night’

‘Do No Harm’ pulled after doing too much harm

Follow Joe Flint on Twitter @JBFlint.