NBC Cuts Episodes from Chase Order
Kelli Giddish
NBC has reduced the order for freshman series Chase from 22 to 18 episodes, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Chase and cult favorite Chuck were originally picked up for a full season in October, the day after NBC renewed its other first-year series Law & Order: Los Angeles, Outsourced and The Event. Chase started off reasonably well, premiering to 7.3 million viewers and a 2.5 rating in the adults 18-49 demo, but viewership has since fallen. The most recent new episode drew 6 million viewers and a 1.6 18-49 rating.
NBC unveils revamped midseason prime-time schedule
Not helping matters: Chase's lead-in, The Event, has also been on a downward ratings spiral.
NBC plans to move Chase to Wednesdays at 9/8c starting Jan. 12, where the Jerry Bruckheimer-produced drama will go up against two-hour episodes of American Idol.