There’s another schedule change coming, and this time for NBC. The January 2026 lineup is seeing a small shift, and it’s in an attempt to support a freshman comedy.
The Paper is being pulled from the linear schedule. Don’t worry, as this isn’t something bad for The Office spinoff. The series is a Peacock Original and has already been renewed for a second season, but this push has just been a chance to get more eyes on the series.
With this in mind, NBC has decided that it can run the risk of removing the comedy from the linear lineup to give a comedy of its own a stronger chance.
Why is The Paper being pulled from NBC?
NBC wants to support the cheerleading comedy series Stumble. It currently airs on Friday nights after Happy’s Place, and it isn’t quite pulling in the ratings that it deserves. This is a good show, with a positive married couple at the heart of it.
The series will remain on Fridays with new episodes, but it will air reruns on Mondays after St. Denis Medical. The hope, according to Variety, is that it will improve the interest as St. Denis Medical is currently the strongest comedy on the network in the demo. In fact, it’s the third-highest rated show on the network in the demo, only behind Chicago Med and Chicago Fire.
When it comes to the total audience, St. Denis Medical is a little further behind but nothing to be concerned about. This is a series that is sure to be renewed for a third season.
So, it makes sense that NBC would want to put reruns of Stumble on after this series. Plus, with the mockmentary style of filming, the two should have similar audience interests.
What are the chances of Stumble season 2 happening?
As for the cheerleading comedy, things aren’t looking great right now when looking at the ratings at TV Series Finale. It’s just behind The Paper’s run on NBC, which isn’t fair to judge by considering that already had viewers via Peacock. It is the second bottom for the network in both the demo and total audience, with Brilliant Minds below it in the former and The Paper behind it in the latter.
The viewership from Happy’s Place just isn’t sticking around, and in a way that’s not surprising. They are two vastly different styles of comedy. Stumble really would have been better on Mondays after St. Denis Medical from the start.
Will this help the cheerleading comedy score a renewal? It’s hard to say right now, but I do fear this will only last one season.
Stumble will return in January with reruns on Mondays at 8:30/7:30c and then new episodes on Fridays at 8:30/7:30c on NBC.