At their upfront presentations to advertisers, most networks try to focus on how most things are going to stay the same, unveiling a handful of new shows alongside their existing hits and talking about smooth transitions. Not so for TBS and TNT, which ahead of their upfront later today promised "a major transformation over the next two years," with plans to expand from "linear television networks into branded video destinations." That all sounds very jargony, and it is, but what it boils down to is what their strategy has been for the past few years: create original programming, beef it up with re-runs of shows everybody already loves, and have the kind of strong online presence you're required to have to keep up these days.
As for the new programming, they didn't announce a full schedule like the other networks, but confirmed both the new and returning series coming within the next year, as well as seven other scripted series currently in development for TNT, with big names like Tom Clancy, Steven Bochco, Michael Bay and David Baldacci attached. At TBS they're planning to debut two scripted comedy series this summer, Men at Work and Sullivan & Son, with Band scheduled for later this year and of course Cougar Town, recently rescued from ABC, coming in 2013.
Below is the list of the new shows scheduled for TNT, as well as the shows in development. Let us know which ones you're looking forward to!
Current and New SeriesRizzoli & Isles – Season 3 premiere: Tuesday, June 5, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)Franklin & Bash – Season 2 premiere: Tuesday, June 5, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT)Dallas – Two-hour series premiere: Wednesday, June 13, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)Falling Skies – Two-hour season 2 premiere: Sunday, June 17, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)The Great Escape – Series premiere: Sunday, June 24, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT)The Closer – Final six episodes premiere: Monday, July 9, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)Perception – Series premiere: Monday, July 9, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT)Leverage – Season 5 premiere: Sunday, July 15, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT)Major Crimes – Series premiere: Monday, Aug. 13, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT), then moves to 9 p.m.Southland – Season 5 coming in February 2013Monday Mornings – New series coming in early 2013Boston Blue (working title) – New series coming in 201372 Hours (working title) – New series coming in 2013TNT Scripted Series in DevelopmentKing and Maxwell – Bestselling author David Baldacci's popular characters Sean King and Michelle Maxwell aren’t your typical pair of private investigators. Both are former secret service agents, and their unique skill set (not to mention their razor-sharp chemistry) often gives them a leg up on both suspects and conventional law enforcement. Baldacci serves as a consultant on the project. Executive Producer: Shane Brennan. Producer: Karen Spiegel and Grant Anderson. Studio: CBS Television Studios.The Last Ship – In this exciting action/adventure project based on the popular novel by William Brinkley, the crew of a naval destroyer is forced to confront the reality of a new existence when a pandemic decimates most of the earth's population. Michael Bay (Transformers) intends to direct the pilot if it is green lit. Executive Producers: Michael Bay, Brad Fuller, Andrew Form, Hank Steinberg (showrunner and writer) and Steve Kane (writer). Production Company: Platinum Dunes.Legends – This suspenseful, action-packed drama is being developed by Howard Gordon, Jeffrey Nachmanoff and Mark Bomback from the novel Legends by Robert Littell. The story follows a deep-cover operative named Martin Odum, who has an uncanny ability to transform himself into a different person for each job. But his own identity comes into question when a mysterious stranger suggests that Martin isn’t who he thinks he is. Executive Producers: Howard Gordon, Jeffrey Nachmanoff, Alexander Cary and Jonathan Levin. Studio: Fox Television Studios.Lew Archer – Based on the title character from Ross McDonald's popular novels, this project from The Closer creator James Duff and Close to Home creator Jim Leonard follows the sleuth many consider to be "the original P.I." Executive Producers: James Duff, Jim Leonard (writer) and Steve N. White. Studio: Warner Horizon Television.Tom Clancy's Homeland Security – This event-based procedural written by Javier Grillo-Marxuach and set in Tom Clancy's world of espionage pits a select team of domestic intelligence operatives against enemies within and without, from narco-traffickers and nuclear terrorists to cyber-criminals and human smugglers. Executive Producers: Tom Clancy, Michael Ovitz, Javier Grillo-Marxuach and Chris George.Untitled Steven Bochco Murder Mystery project – This suspenseful and intriguing crime drama will intimately dissect a single murder case over an entire season, from the commitment of the crime through the investigation, arrest and trial. Executive Producer: Steven Bochco (writer). Co-Executive Producer: Eric Lodal (writer).Untitled Ron Shelton family drama – A disgraced football coach loses his high-profile job in Los Angeles and winds up moving his three kids and 70-year-old father to Louisiana. But this might just be the fresh start they need in this insightful drama from the writer/director of Bull Durham. Executive Producers: Ron Shelton (writer), Michele Weisler and Andrea Buchanan.TNT Unscripted Series in DevelopmentAmerican Troubadours –From one of the executive producers of American Idol and film star Matthew McConaughey, this new reality competition series is on a mission to discover the best unsigned bar band in America, singer/songwriter bands that represent the greatest tradition of rock and roll. Executive Producers: Nigel Lythgoe, Matthew McConaughey and Anastasia Brown. Production Companies: Nigel Lythgoe Productions and J.K. Livin Foundation.Cold Justice – This docu-drama, produced by EmmyÒ winners for such series as Law & Order, Project Runway and Top Chef, will follow former prosecutor Kelly Siegler and crime scene investigator Yolanda McClary as they crack cold cases. Executive Producers: Dick Wolf, Tom Thayer, Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz. Production Companies: Wolf Films and Magical Elves.Rivals – From the producers of Laguna Beach and Jockeys comes this riveting series set in the glamorous world of thoroughbred horse racing. Executive Producers: Gail Berman, Lloyd Braun and Gene Stein for BermanBraun; Gary Ravet for Promark Productions; and Gary Auerbach and Tina Gazzero for Go Go Luckey.24/7: Los Angeles – Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Robert Port crafted this gripping, all-access look at the men and women who protect the streets of Los Angeles. Executive Producers: Robert Port, Michael Goldstein and Michael Larkin. Production Company: Port Films.
