NBC picks up 'Knight Rider'

NBC has picked up "Knight Rider" for a full season, sources say.

The network has ordered another nine episodes of the Wednesday night action-drama, which is produced by sister division Universal Media Studios.

The show has been modestly rated, typically matching CBS' freshman comedies for second place in its 8 p.m. time slot. The most recent episode was seen by 6.9 million viewers, and earned a 2.3 adults 19-49 rating and 7 share.

The “Rider” pickup marks the first freshman fall NBC series to receive a full season order, joining CBS’ “The Mentalist,” Fox’s “Fringe” and CW’s “90210.”

Also: A couple of industry sources are buzzing that UMS actually rejected an NBC order for a few more "Life" scripts in order to hold out for a full-season pickup -- a surprising negotiation tactic considering UMS and NBC are owned by the same company and that “Life” has been struggling in the ratings. A UMS spokesperson says the rumors are untrue. If they are true, it would seem a bit like drowning Titanic passengers rejecting help from the Carpathia to hold out for a bigger boat.

There would be logic to such a scrape, though. “Life” is hurting on Friday nights, but NBC put it there. NBC is watching numbers sink in a few time periods and is going to need reliable hole-filling content. And in recent weeks CBS’ quirky detective dramas are performing solidly, so one would think NBC should be able to plug a leak with “Life.”

Updated: Fall TV series survival report

Comments

[jake]

NBC has got to shake things up -- by trying heroes and chuck and knight rider in different slots. How about knight rider on mondays and chuck and heroes on wed?

if they stay the status quo, viewers were just grow used to not watching nbc.

[rob hill]

Aside from the bad plot, acting, and science it isn't a bad show.

[STEVEN]

sorry i tried watching it. I use to love the old one but this is so stupid.. The lead actor Justin was good in ALL MY CHILDREN which i watch with my girl. Sorry NBC we are done.

[mlaiuppa]

Why?

It's a mustang with rims made to look like a ricer. As a car it sucks. I'm guessing the star is more himbo than Hamlet.

[Rachel]

I watch the show. The fake scenery driving is annoying and the writing isn't that great. But I loved the show as a kid and can't give up on it yet.

I watch Life as well. I love this show. Its very quirky and smart. I love the interactions between the characters. They should move the show to another night though, we DVR it.

[Tony]

i loved the original, also liked justin on all my children, so i had to watch this, my biggest problem is with the "transformers" like changes that kitt can do now, attack mode..is ok but looks stupid, turning into a truck is stupid, and a now kitt was a cop car.. WTF, i wish they would please stop wrecking what could be a good show. dont have kitt morph anymore and lets just forget that he can do it, and dont show it, plus more action and a bit better plot would help to, and then the new knight rider will be a great show.

[aj]

I really liked the new just as much as the old. I would like to see kitt as a camero but the mustang is fine. Keep up the good work

[DAVE]

i absoulty think its fantastic i love the new kitt im definatly warming to him i live in the uk so ive only seen bitts and pieces as thay havent shown it here yet but im well exited i cant wait to see it propelly please nbc dont kill the best decision uv made in years to bring knight rider back