NBC shifts "Smash" to Saturday nights

By Tim Kenneally

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - NBC is moving its struggling musical series "Smash" to Saturday nights at 9 p.m. starting April 6, the network said Wednesday.

The shift was among a number of scheduling changes that NBC announced. And NBC said that the show will air its entire 17-episode season.

Even so, the move is not a good sign for the series, which started out strong with its first season, when it had "The Voice" as a lead-in, but has struggled since returning for its second season last month.

For its season premiere on February 5, "Smash" drew an anemic 1.1 rating/3 share in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic - its lowest-rated episode at that date, and down 71 percent from the show's series premiere. It was also down 39 percent from its May 14 season finale.

Things got worse for the show - which has been airing Tuesdays at 10 p.m. - from there, with the show dropping to a new low of 0.7/2 on March 5, though the show rebounded somewhat in its most recent airing on Tuesday.

The series underwent an upheaval after its first season, with the departure of creator Theresa Rebeck and a number of cast members. "Gossip Girl" showrunner Josh Safran was brought in to replace Rebeck, and the cast swelled to monumental proportions with guests stars and new regulars for its second season.

Here is NBC's full list of scheduling changes:

READY FOR LOVE

Will now air Tuesdays, beginning April 9 (9-11 p.m. ET) following "The Voice."

CELEBRITY APPRENTICE

Beginning April 14 (9-11 p.m ET) will be expanded to two hours through the end of May.

THE VOICE

Will air encore episodes on Sunday, March 31 and Sunday, April 7 (7-10 p.m. ET), leading into original episodes of "The Celebrity Apprentice" (10-11 p.m. ET)

GO ON

Moves to Thursdays on April 4 and April 11, which will be the season's final episode. Both episodes will air at 9:30-10 p.m. ET following "The Office."

THE NEW NORMAL

One-hour season finale on Tuesday, April 2 (9-10 p.m. ET) following "The Voice."

SMASH

Moves to Saturdays at 9 p.m. beginning April 6 and will air its entire season of 17 episodes.

WHITNEY

Will have a one-hour season finale on Wednesday, March 27 (8-9 p.m. ET).

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/nbc-shifts-smash-saturday-nights-004213811.html

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