The merger creates one parent company out of two longtime Hollywood trade rivals
The consolidation of Hollywood’s longtime, competing trade publications — Variety, The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard — has left editorial staff “freaked out” from the sudden move and questioning what a larger Penske Media empire could mean for critical industry coverage and layoffs, insiders told TheWrap on Wednesday.
“The staff is freaked out,” said an insider who got the news during a 7 a.m. Billboard editorial meeting in a vague email from MRC co-CEOs Modi Wiczyk and Asif Satchu. “People are really upset. It’s how [MRC] constantly handles everything.”
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TheWrap spoke to multiple employees at Penske and MRC publications who expressed shock and uncertainty over the merger of the longtime competitors and the possible implications to pursuing coverage. The THR newsroom was already in turmoil over ethical issues involving interference in reporting on movie and television projects backed by MRC’s production arm, as TheWrap has reported.
Also Read: What the Variety-Hollywood Reporter Merger Means for Hollywood News Coverage - and Advertising
The email from MRC leadership noted: “We’re really excited to share the breaking news below about partnering with PMC across media and long form content, which gives us an incredible opportunity to expand and evolve the brands and their influence. We appreciate this will cause some anxiety as well as some excitement. We look forward to sharing more information in the coming week at our upcoming town hall.”
The merger, announced on Wednesday as a “joint venture” branded as PMRC, consolidates Hollywood’s oldest competing trades — PMC’s Variety and MRC’s The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard — under the control of PMC, which already owns another Hollywood trade, Deadline.
MRC — which owns Dick Clark Productions, the production company behind awards shows like the Golden Globes, and MRC Television, the studio behind “Ozark” — will oversee the entertainment-focused aspect of the partnership and will develop film, TV and other projects based on content and intellectual property produced by the newly branded combined venture.
Also Read: Variety Parent Penske Media to Take Over Hollywood Reporter, Billboard in Joint Venture With MRC
Editorial staff at the affected publications told TheWrap they were particularly upset that representatives for PMC and MRC have publicly and internally denied the prospect of an acquisition in recent weeks.
“We were all given assurances that MRC was in this for the long haul,” a Billboard insider said, adding that Wiczyk himself had denied that MRC was in talks with Variety during a town hall last month.
TheWrap is a direct competitor of Variety and THR.
The insider also added that anxiety was high about the possibility of layoffs at the publications — a typical consequence of media mergers and consolidations — and top editors appeared blindsided by the news. “They’re cruel through negligent stupidity,” the insider said.
Also Read: 'Bloodbath': The Hollywood Reporter Ends a 10-Year, Heady Run at Reinvention
Over at The Hollywood Reporter, a source told TheWrap that staffers there are “angry and disgusted” and also felt betrayed by Wiczyk for denying being in talks with Penske. The staff, according to the insider, is still reeling from widespread layoffs back in April, “which were vicious, just brutal.”
“There’s so much uncertainty,” the insider added.
Variety staffers, who were called to a Wednesday meeting led by interim editor-in-chief Cynthia Littleton shortly after the announcement, were also “very concerned and freaked out,” according to an individual with knowledge of the meeting. They questioned what the consolidation would mean for editorial coverage — especially after former THR editorial director Matt Belloni was abruptly fired in April due to clashes with MRC leadership over editorial issues.
Staff was told MRC would have no input on editorial content and that Variety and THR would operate separately, according to the individual, but there was no clarity on if it would be OK to write a tough story about MRC and its entertainment brands.
It is also not currently clear if THR and Billboard will eventually move into Variety’s offices when remote work ends, and there was no immediate answer for staffers who asked whether Claudia Eller, who took a leave in June and has not yet reassumed her position, will return as Variety’s editor in chief.
Representative for PMC and MRC did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
Fall TV 2020: All the Premiere Dates for New and Returning Shows - So Far (Photos)
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ABC/Netflix/HBO/Peacock
Fall is in full swing, but not much has changed since this summer with many people still staying at home as much as possible to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Luckily, dozens of new and returning shows are premiering this autumn to keep you company. TheWrap has rounded up all the dates we know -- so far -- for Fall TV shows' debuts. We will continue to update the list as more become available.
For the purposes of this gallery, we've designated Sept. 1 as the beginning of fall rather than the official Sept. 22 start, since "Fall TV" is sure to be more loosely defined this year.
Also Read: Winter TV 2021: All the Premiere Dates for New and Returning Shows – So Far (Photos)
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MTV
Series: "Teen Mom 2" Net: MTV Premiere Date: Tuesday, Sept. 1 Time: 8 p.m.
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MTV
Series: "16 and Recovering" Net: MTV Premiere Date: Tuesday, Sept. 1 Time: 9 p.m.
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NBC
Series: "Transplant" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Tuesday, Sept. 1 Time: 10 p.m.
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BET
Series: "House of Payne" Net: BET Premiere Date: Wednesday, Sept. 2 Time: 8 p.m.
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BET
Series: "Assisted Living" Net: BET Premiere Date: Wednesday, Sept. 2 Time: 9 p.m.
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Peacock
Series: "A.P. Bio" Net: Peacock Premiere Date: Thursday, Sept. 3 Time: N/A
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HBO Max
Series: "Raised by Wolves" Net: HBO Max Premiere Date: Thursday, Sept. 3 Time: N/A
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Netflix
Series: "Away" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Friday, Sept. 4 Time: N/A
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Peacock
Series: "Noughts + Crosses" Net: Peacock Premiere Date: Friday, Sept. 4 Time: N/A
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Amazon Prime Video
Series: "The Boys" Net: Amazon Prime Video Premiere Date: Friday, Sept. 4 Time: N/A
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OWN
Series: "Black Love" Net: OWN Premiere Date: Saturday, Sept. 5 Time: 9 p.m.
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Starz
Series: "Power Book II: Ghost" Net: Starz Premiere Date: Sunday, Sept. 6 Time: 9 p.m.
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NBC
Series: "American Ninja Warrior" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Monday, Sept. 7 Time: 8 p.m.
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Spectrum Originals
Series: "L.A's Finest" Net: Spectrum Originals Premiere Date: Wednesday, Sept. 9 Time: N/A
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Hulu
Series: "Woke" Net: Hulu Premiere Date: Wednesday, Sept. 9 Time: N/A
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Netflix
Series: "Julie and the Phantoms" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Thursday, Sept. 10 Time: N/A
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Netflix
Series: "The Duchess" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Friday, Sept. 11 Time: N/A
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Showtime
Series: "Our Cartoon President" Net: Showtime Premiere Date: Sunday, Sept. 13 Time: 8:30 p.m.
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ABC
Series: "Dancing With the Stars" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Monday, Sept. 14 Time: 8 p.m.
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HBO
Series: "The Third Day" Net: HBO Premiere Date: Monday, Sept. 14 Time: 9 p.m.
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HBO
Series: "We Are Who We Are" Net: HBO Premiere Date: Monday, Sept. 14 Time: 10 p.m.
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Epix
Series: "Enslaved" Net: Epix Premiere Date: Monday, Sept. 14 Time: 10 p.m.
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Comedy Central
Series: "Tosh.0" Net: Comedy Central Premiere Date: Tuesday, Sept. 15 Time: 10 p.m.
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Netflix
Series: "Challenger: The Final Flight" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Wednesday, Sept. 16 Time: N/A
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FXX
Series: "Archer" Net: FXX Premiere Date: Wednesday, Sept. 16 Time: 10 p.m.
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Peacock
Series: "Departure" Net: Peacock Premiere Date: Thursday, Sept. 17 Time: N/A
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HBO Max
Series: "The Great Pottery Throw Down" Net: HBO Max Premiere Date: Thursday, Sept. 17 Time: N/A
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Hulu
Series: "Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Friday, Sept. 18 Time: N/A
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Hulu
Series: "Pen15" Net: Hulu Premiere Date: Friday, Sept. 18 Time: N/A
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Netflix
Series: "Ratched" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Friday, Sept. 18 Time: N/A
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The CW
Series: "World's Funniest Animals" Net: The CW Premiere Date: Friday, Sept. 18 Time: 9 p.m.
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Fox
Series: "L.A.'s Finest"* Net: Fox Premiere Date: Monday, Sept. 21 Time: 8 p.m. *Broadcast debut of Spectrum Originals series' first season
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Fox
Series: "Filthy Rich" Net: Fox Premiere Date: Monday, Sept. 21 Time: 9 p.m.
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Fox
Series: "The Masked Singer" Net: Fox Premiere Date: Wednesday, Sept. 23 Time: 8 p.m.
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Fox
Series: "I Can See Your Voice" Net: Fox Premiere Date: Wednesday, Sept. 23 Time: 9 p.m.
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Amazon
Series: "Utopia" Net: Amazon Prime Video Premiere Date: Friday, Sept. 25 Time: N/A
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FX
Series: "A Wilderness of Error" Net: FX Premiere Date: Friday, Sept. 25 Time: 8 p.m.
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Fox
Series: "The Simpsons" Net: Fox Premiere Date: Sunday, Sept. 27 Time: 8 p.m.
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Fox
Series: "Bless the Harts" Net: Fox Premiere Date: Sunday, Sept. 27 Time: 8:30 p.m.
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Fox
Series: "Bob's Burgers" Net: Fox Premiere Date: Sunday, Sept. 27 Time: 9 p.m.
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Showtime
Series: "The Comey Rule" Net: Showtime Premiere Date: Sunday, Sept. 27 Time: 9 p.m.
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Fox
Series: "Family Guy" Net: Fox Premiere Date: Sunday, Sept. 27 Time: 9:30 p.m.
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FX
Series: "Fargo" Net: FX Premiere Date: Sunday, Sept. 27 Time: 10 p.m.
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NBC
Series: "Weakest Link" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Tuesday, Sept. 29 Time: 8 p.m.
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AMC
Series: "Gangs of London" Net: AMC+ Premiere Date: Thursday, Oct. 1 Time: N/A
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AMC
Series: "The Salisbury Poisonings" Net: AMC+ Premiere Date: Thursday, Oct. 1 Time: N/A
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Getty
Series: "Monsterland" Net: Hulu Premiere Date: Friday, Oct. 2 Time: N/A
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Netflix
Series: "Emily in Paris" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Friday, Oct. 2 Time: N/A
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CBS
Series: "Undercover Boss" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Friday, Oct. 2 Time: 9 p.m.
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Series: "Warrior" Net: Cinemax Premiere Date: Friday, Oct. 2 Time: 10 p.m.
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NBC
Series: "Saturday Night Live" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Saturday, Oct. 3 Time: 11:30 p.m.
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Series: "Pandora" Net: The CW Premiere Date: Sunday, Oct. 4 Time: 8 p.m.
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Showtime
Series: "The Good Lord Bird" Net: Showtime Premiere Date: Sunday, Oct. 4 Time: 9 p.m.
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Epix
Series: "Britannia" Net: Epix Premiere Date: Sunday Oct. 4 Time: 9 p.m.
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AMC
Series: "The Walking Dead: World Beyond" Net: AMC Premiere Date: Sunday, Oct. 4 Time: 10 p.m.
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AMC
Series: "Soulmates" Net: AMC Premiere Date: Monday, Oct. 5 Time: 10 p.m.
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DC Universe
Series: "Swamp Thing"* Net: The CW Premiere Date: Tuesday, Oct. 6 Time: 8 p.m.
*Broadcast debut of DC Universe series' first season
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NBC
Series: "Ellen's Game of Games" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Tuesday, Oct. 6 Time: 9 p.m.
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Fox
Series: "Next" Net: Fox Premiere Date: Tuesday, Oct. 6 Time: 9 p.m.
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The CW
Series: "Devils" Net: The CW Premiere Date: Wednesday, Oct. 7 Time: 8 p.m.
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The CW
Series: "Coroner" Net: The CW Premiere Date: Wednesday, Oct. 7 Time: 9 p.m.
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The CW
Series: "Supernatural" Net: The CW Premiere Date: Thursday, Oct. 8 Time: 8 p.m.
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NBC
Series: "Connecting..." Net: NBC Premiere Date: Thursday, Oct. 8 Time: 8 p.m.
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The CW
Series: "The Outpost" Net: The CW Premiere Date: Thursday, Oct. 8 Time: 9 p.m.
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Disney+
Series: "The Right Stuff" Net: Disney+ Premiere Date: Friday, Oct. 9 Time: N/A
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Netflix
Series: "The Haunting of Bly Manor" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Friday, Oct. 9 Time: N/A
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AMC
Series: "Fear the Walking Dead" Net: AMC Premiere Date: Sunday, Oct. 11 Time: 9 p.m.
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ABC
Series: "The Bachelorette" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Tuesday, Oct. 13 Time: 8 p.m.
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The CW
Series: "Tell Me a Story"* Net: The CW Premiere Date: Tuesday, Oct. 13 Time: 9 p.m.
*Broadcast debut of CBS All Access series' first season
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CBS
Series: "The Amazing Race" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Wednesday, Oct. 14 Time: 9 p.m.
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BET
Series: "Sistas" Net: BET Premiere Date: Wednesday, Oct. 14 Time: 9 p.m.
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CBS All Access
Series: "Star Trek: Discovery" Net: CBS All Access Premiere Date: Thursday, Oct. 15 Time: N/A
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Hulu
Series: "Helstrom" Net: Hulu Premiere Date: Friday, Oct. 16 Time: N/A
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Netflix
Series: "Grand Army" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Friday, Oct. 16 Time: N/A
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ABC
Series: "Shark Tank" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Friday, Oct. 16 Time: 9 p.m.
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ABC
Series: "America's Funniest Home Videos" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Sunday, Oct. 18 Time: 7 p.m.
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Getty
Series: "Supermarket Sweep" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Sunday, Oct. 18 Time: 8 p.m.
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ABC
Series: "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Sunday, Oct. 18 Time: 9 p.m.
-
ABC
Series: "Card Sharks" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Sunday, Oct. 18 Time: 10 p.m.
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Netflix
Series: "Unsolved Mysteries" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Monday, Oct. 19 Time: N/A
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NBC
Series: "The Voice" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Monday, Oct. 19 Time: 8 p.m.
-
ABC
Series: "The Goldbergs" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Wednesday, Oct. 21 Time: 8 p.m.
-
ABC
Series: "The Conners" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Wednesday, Oct. 21 Time: 9 p.m.
-
ABC
Series: "black-ish" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Wednesday, Oct. 21 Time: 9:30 p.m.
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Netflix
Series: "The Queen's Gambit" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Friday, Oct. 23 Time: N/A
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HBO
Series: "The Undoing" Net: HBO Premiere Date: Sunday, Oct. 25 Time: 9 p.m.
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NBC
Series: "This Is Us" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Tuesday, Oct. 27 Time: 9 p.m.
-
ABC
Series: "American Housewife" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Wednesday, Oct. 28 Time: 8:30 p.m.
-
NBC
Series: "Superstore" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Thursday, Oct. 29 Time: 8 p.m.
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Disney+
Series: "The Mandalorian" Net: Disney+ Premiere Date: Friday, Oct. 30 Time: N/A
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ABC
Series: "The Good Doctor" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Monday, Nov. 2 Time: 10 p.m.
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HBO Max
Series: "Two Weeks to Live" Net: HBO Max Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 5 Time: N/A
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CBS
Series: "Young Sheldon" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 5 Time: 8 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "B Positive" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 5 Time: 8:30 p.m.
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CBS
Series: "Mom" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 5 Time: 9 p.m.
-
Getty Images
Series: "Braxton Family Values" Net: WE TV Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 5 Time: 9 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "NCIS: Los Angeles" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Sunday, Nov. 8 Time: 8:30 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. PT
-
CBS
Series: "NCIS: New Orleans" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Sunday, Nov. 8 Time: 9:30 p.m. ET/9 p.m. PT
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Showtime
Series: "Moonbase 8" Net: Showtime Premiere Date: Sunday, Nov. 8 Time: 11 p.m.
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Netflix
Series: "Dash & Lily" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Tuesday, Nov. 10 Time: N/A
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FX on Hulu
Series: "A Teacher" Net: FX on Hulu Premiere Date: Tuesday, Nov. 10 Time: N/A
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NBC
Series: "Chicago Med" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Wednesday, Nov. 11 Time: 8 p.m.
-
NBC
Series: "Chicago Fire" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Wednesday, Nov. 11 Time: 9 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "S.W.A.T." Net: CBS Premiere Date: Wednesday, Nov. 11 Time: 9 p.m.
-
NBC
Series: "Chicago PD" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Wednesday, Nov. 11 Time: 10 p.m.
-
ABC
Series: "Station 19" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 12 Time: 8 p.m.
-
NBC
Series: "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 12 Time: 9 p.m.
-
ABC
Series: "Grey's Anatomy" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 12 Time: 9 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "The Unicorn" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 12 Time: 9:30 p.m.
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IMDb TV
Series: "Alex Rider" Net: IMDB TV Premiere Date: Friday, Nov. 13 Time: N/A
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Apple TV+
Series: "Doug Unplugs" Net: Apple TV+ Premiere Date: Friday, Nov. 13 Time: N/A
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NBC
Series: "The Blacklist" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Friday, Nov. 13 Time: 8 p.m.
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Discovery
Series: "Gold Rush: White Water" Net: Discovery Premiere Date: Friday, Nov. 13 Time: 9 p.m.
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Netflix
Series: "The Crown" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Sunday, Nov. 15 Time: N/A
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Showtime
Series: "The Reagans" Net: Showtime Premiere Date: Sunday, Nov. 15 Time: 8 p.m.
-
HBO
Series: "Murder on Middle Beach" Net: HBO Premiere Date: Sunday, Nov. 15 Time: 10 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "The Neighborhood" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Monday, Nov. 16 Time: 8 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "Bob Hearts Abishola" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Monday, Nov. 16 Time: 8:30 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "All Rise" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Monday, Nov. 16 Time: 9 p.m.
-
HBO
Series: "His Dark Materials" Net: HBO Premiere Date: Monday, Nov. 16 Time: 9 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "Bull" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Monday, Nov. 16 Time: 10 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "NCIS" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Tuesday, Nov. 17 Time: 8 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "FBI" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Tuesday, Nov. 17 Time: 9 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "FBI: Most Wanted" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Tuesday, Nov. 17 Time: 10 p.m.
-
ABC
Series: "Big Sky" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Tuesday, Nov. 17 Time: 10 p.m.
-
ABC
Series: "For Life" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Wednesday, Nov. 18 Time: 10 p.m.
-
MTV
Series: "Jersey Shore Family Vacation" Net: MTV Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 19 Time: 8 p.m.
-
ABC
Series: "A Million Little Things" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 19 Time: 10 p.m.
-
Hulu
Series: "Animaniacs" Net: Hulu Premiere Date: Friday, Nov. 20 Time: N/A
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Amazon Prime Video
Series: "The Pack" Net: Amazon Prime Video Premiere Date: Friday, Nov. 20 Time: N/A
-
FX
Series: "Black Narcissus" Net: FX Premiere Date: Monday, Nov. 23 Time: 8 p.m.
-
Peacock
Series: "Saved by the Bell" Net: Peacock Premiere Date: Wednesday, Nov. 25 Time: N/A
-
HBO Max
Series: "The Flight Attendant" Net: HBO Max Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 26 Time: N/A
-
Netflix
Series: "Virgin River" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Friday, Nov. 27 Time: N/A
-
CBS
Series: "SEAL Team" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Wednesday, Dec. 2 Time: 9 p.m.
-
Apple TV+
Series: "Stillwater" Net: Apple TV+ Premiere Date: Friday, Dec. 4 Time: N/A
-
Netflix
Series: "Selena: The Series" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Friday, Dec. 4 Time: N/A
-
CBS
Series: "MacGyver" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Friday, Dec. 4 Time: 8 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "Magnum P.I." Net: CBS Premiere Date: Friday, Dec. 4 Time: 9 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "Blue Bloods" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Friday, Dec. 4 Time: 10 p.m.
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Showtime
Series: "Shameless" Net: Showtime Premiere Date: Sunday, Dec. 6 Time: 9 p.m.
-
Showtime
Series: "Your Honor" Net: Showtime Premiere Date: Sunday, Dec. 6 Time: 10 p.m.
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Epix
Series: "Pennyworth" Net: Epix Premiere Date: Sunday, Dec. 13 Time: 9 p.m.
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Amazon Prime Video
Series: "The Expanse" Net: Amazon Prime Video Premiere Date: Wednesday, Dec. 16 Time: N/A
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CBS All Access
Series: "The Stand" Net: CBS All Access Premiere Date: Thursday, Dec. 17 Time: N/A
Here’s when 145 broadcast, cable and streaming series debut and come back
Fall is in full swing, but not much has changed since this summer with many people still staying at home as much as possible to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Luckily, dozens of new and returning shows are premiering this autumn to keep you company. TheWrap has rounded up all the dates we know -- so far -- for Fall TV shows' debuts. We will continue to update the list as more become available.
For the purposes of this gallery, we've designated Sept. 1 as the beginning of fall rather than the official Sept. 22 start, since "Fall TV" is sure to be more loosely defined this year.
Also Read: Winter TV 2021: All the Premiere Dates for New and Returning Shows – So Far (Photos)
Lindsey Ellefson
Media reporter • lindsey.ellefson@thewrap.com • Twitter: @ellefs0n
J. Clara Chan
Media and politics reporter • jclara.chan@thewrap.com • Twitter: @jclarachan
Sharon Waxman
Sharon Waxman, is the founder, CEO and Editor in Chief of TheWrap. She is an award-winning journalist and best-selling author, and was a Hollywood correspondent for The New York Times.