NBC’s Search for Potential Series Raises Questions About XFL

NBC has quietly put out feelers to Hollywood’s production community in the last few weeks regarding development of low-cost dramatic series that could be scheduled on Saturday night--a programming strategy that raises questions about the network’s long-term commitment to its struggling XFL football league.

Sources say NBC is interested in trying to produce one-hour series for not much more than $1 million per hour, or about a third less than the average new drama.

NBC officials have stated that they remain committed to at least one more prime-time season of the XFL, a joint venture between the network and the World Wrestling Federation. NBC ran movies through the fall in advance of launching the league, which made its debut in February and continues through April 21.

Industry sources speculate that the dramatic programs being considered could be used to program around the XFL schedule, during the summer or--if the network extricates itself from the obligation of running the start-up league in prime time--as a replacement for it.

At this point, plans regarding next fall are clouded by the possibility of strikes by the guilds representing writers and actors. Citing competitive concerns, newly installed NBC Entertainment President Jeff Zucker declined comment regarding the network’s Saturday night strategy.

According to sources, however, NBC’s idea includes looking to producers who have made series for the network’s Saturday morning children’s lineup as well as basic cable and are thus well-versed in shooting live-action fare economically.

NBC canceled a pair of more expensive Saturday night dramas, “Profiler” and “The Pretender,” last spring.

Saturday has long posed a particular dilemma for the major networks, because prime-time television viewing generally drops among young adults sought by advertisers, and many of those perched in front of the TV opt to rent videos or watch uncut cable movies.

That said, with ABC and NBC offering little competition by programming movies and now the XFL, CBS has managed to establish its new drama “The District,” starring Craig T. Nelson, as a surprise hit and has achieved respectable ratings for the female-oriented “Kate Brasher” and “That’s Life.”

NBC has a vast inventory of feature films at its disposal, so the network retains the option of simply running movies on Saturdays. What’s clear is that if XFL ratings don’t improve, NBC could face mounting pressure from affiliated TV stations to move the games outside prime time and reduce the possible toll on tune-in for late local newscasts.

The XFL has also raised the ire of “Saturday Night Live” producer Lorne Michaels, who was reportedly upset when one of the early games ran long, delaying “SNL’s” start until after midnight in the Eastern time zone the night Jennifer Lopez hosted. In addition, NBC’s diminished prime-time audience on Saturdays means fewer viewers are being funneled to late-night programs.

The XFL fell to its lowest rating yet on Saturday, based on preliminary Nielsen data, opposite CBS’ coverage of the NCAA basketball tournament.

This week, most of the networks will preview for advertisers new series concepts they are contemplating, though only about a third of the shows are destined to see the light of day next season.