Inside The Networks' Post-Strike Plan To Salvage The '23-24 TV Season (Hint: Prepare For The Shortest Season Of Grey's Anatomy In 19 Years)

With SAG and the AMPTP (hopefully!) nearing a tentative agreement to end the actors' strike, the major broadcast networks are finalizing plans to get their scripted offerings back in production ASAP, with shooting on some shows expected to resume as early as late November (albeit with significantly truncated episode orders). 

The specifics of the networks' myriad post-strike scenarios are still being ironed out, but here's an early look at the plot to salvage the 2023-24 TV season. (For the latest on the timing of your favorite shows' return to air, keep tabs on our handy cheat sheet here.)

ABC
The Alphabet network is expected to cut episode orders for most of its hour-long dramas by more than 50 percent, with established hits such as Grey's Anatomy, Station 19, The Rookie and The Good Doctor likely securing 10-episode orders. On the half-hour side, ABC's two biggest comedy hits — Abbott Elementary and The Conners — could see orders in the 13-episode range. Production on some, if not all, of these titles, may resume as soon as early December. (ABC declined to comment.)

CBS
The NCIS writers' room has clearly been very productive since the WGA strike ended last month, as sources confirm the mothership procedural is eyeing a late November production start. If this timing holds, a 13-episode season is within the realm of possibility for the long-running procedural. The remainder of CBS' vast procedural stable — which includes NCIS: Hawai'i, Dick Wolf's FBI trifecta, Friday staples Blue Bloods and Fire Country and sophomore legal drama So Help Me Todd — are eyeing 10-13 episode seasons and a post-Thanksgiving production restart. Similarly, CBS' comedies — which includes Young Sheldon, The Neighborhood, Bob Hearts Abishola and Ghosts — will likely churn out 10-13 episodes. (CBS declined to comment.)

NBC
All three Law & Orders as well as the #OneChicago trio, much like Dick Wolf's FBI franchise at CBS (see above), are planning 13-episode seasons, with cameras poised to start rolling the first week of December (again, provided the strike is resolved ASAP). Elsewhere, returning comedy hit Night Court is expected to stick with its initial, pre-strike 13-episode order (one of which was completed last spring). Ditto Quantum Leap, which has five episodes of its original 13-episode Season 2 order left to shoot. (NBC declined to comment.)

The CW
Superman & Lois' previously announced 10-episode fourth and final season order will hold, we're told, while All American, All American: Homecoming and Walker are sticking to the 13-episode orders they received last spring. Unlike the Big Three networks, however, all four shows aren't expected to return to production until January, at the earliest. (The CW declined to comment.)

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