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NBC brutally reduced the network\u2019s scripted schedule by cancelling five shows including Suits LA<\/em> \u2014 and more cuts could be on the way \u2014 but what led to the surprising decision?<\/p>\n The network announced on Friday, May 9, that it was making big changes<\/a> starting with Lopez vs. Lopez, Night Court, Found, The Irrational<\/em> and Suits LA<\/em> all being canceled. NBC has since renewed The Hunting Party<\/em> and Brilliant Minds<\/em>, but those are the only freshman shows that survived \u2014 in addition to Grosse Pointe Garden Society<\/em>, which was still on the bubble before being formally canceled.<\/a><\/p>\n NBC\u2019s harsh cuts come amid an attempt to pull in more sports fans. The network needed to clear out Tuesday nights this fall to make room for NBA games following an 11-year deal. This agreement, which is worth nearly $2.5 billion per year, means NBC will air up to 100 regular-season games, including the NBA All-Star Game and exclusive first-round playoff games. This also includes games on NBC\u2019s streaming service Peacock and some games on Telemundo.<\/p>\n In February 2026, a second night devoted to NBA games will take over Sundays at NBC, which has usually aired<\/a> midseason dramas and reality TV shows.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had a lot of shows that we had to pass on in order to put our schedule together,\u201d President of Program Planning Strategy for NBCUniversal Entertainment Jeff Bader<\/strong> told reporters at a Saturday, May 10, press conference. \u201cIn the fall, the NBA is a huge priority for us. That is our biggest new show in the fall.\u201d<\/p>\n Bader weighed in on how shows were kept and cut, adding, \u201cWe looked at what their performance was, week to week, episode to episode, on both linear and digital, to try and glean which ones we thought had the best ratings story.\u201d<\/p>\n He continued: \u201cAnd then on the creative side, the creative teams did the same thing, [showing us] which ones have the best potential to capture a new audience.\u201d<\/p>\n According to Bader, The Hunting Party <\/em>and Brilliant Minds<\/em> are the shows they have remained invested in<\/a> because they \u201cmade their way to the top\u201d in viewership. There were also conversations about \u201cevery show\u201d that ended up getting cut potentially being moved to Peacock \u2014 but none of them ended up \u201csaved\u201d similar to Law & Order: Organized Crime<\/em>\u2018s recent shift.<\/p>\n Bader went on to explain why specific shows were pulled from the network.<\/p>\n
\n Patrick Sabongui as Ryan Hassani, Melissa Roxburgh as Rebecca \u2018Bex\u2019 Henderson, Josh McKenzie as Shane Florence.<\/span> David Astorga\/NBC<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n