L.A. Screenings Recap

A full recap of World Screen‘s L.A. Screenings coverage, including social media analysis from The WIT, on-site reporting from Elizabeth Guider and insight from the U.S. network upfronts.

2017-18 Fall Season Grid

World Screen’s comprehensive guide to the U.S. networks’ 2017-18 season features the prime-time grids for ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and The CW; pop-up trailers; descriptions and credits for each new and returning show; and a listing of series by studio. View the grid here.

Elizabeth Guider Reports

Brash military-minded concepts and techno-tinged contemporary themes grappling with national (or personal) security issues were featured in the slate of shows offered to the almost 2,000 international TV executives at the L.A. Screenings this year, reported our contributing editor, Elizabeth Guider. She delivered recaps of the presentations by Disney Media Distribution, Warner Bros., CBS Studios International, Twentieth Century Fox, Sony Pictures Television, NBCUniversal and Lionsgate. She also offered up key takeaways from the week-long event and spotlighted the scene at the InterContinental where independent distributors touted their offerings.

The WIT Analysis

Tracking tweets, Facebook comments and YouTube trailer views, The WIT provided some insight into which shows are likely to resonate with audiences this fall. Get commentary from The WIT’s Caroline Servy on ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and The CW.

Upfront Announcements & Insight

After some flip-flopping, NBC’s breakout hit This Is Us will remain on Tuesday nights, with the return of Will & Grace reviving Thursday’s “must-see TV” franchise. FOX’s prime-time schedule sees a number of current shows moving time slots and nights, while the new Marvel drama The Gifted lands on Mondays at 9 p.m. At ABC, black-ish is moving to Tuesdays and Once Upon a Time to Fridays alongside Marvel’s Inhumans. On CBS, The Big Bang Theory is being paired with the brand-new spin-off Young Sheldon. The CW’s 2017-18 prime-time schedule sees Riverdale moving to a new night on Wednesdays, paired with the new Dynasty reboot.

Vertical integration is stronger than ever, and despite the era of peak TV, the number of pilot orders by the U.S. networks was considerably smaller than usual. Those were among the major themes of the upfront announcements. Some of last year’s major trends—super producers and reboots—were still evident this year, the former perhaps more dominant than the latter. In an age of Trump, leaks and political intrigue, themes of surveillance, instability and military might can be seen through the grids. The fall grid also has a few scripted formats in the mix, among them ABC’s The Good Doctor and Splitting Up Together.