After a delayed start due to the dual Hollywood strikes, NBC’s “Law & Order” and One Chicago franchises returned with significant year-over-year growth.
Leading the charge among Total Viewers was the season premieres of the network’s Wednesday lineup on January 17, consisting of “Chicago Med” (6.9 million viewers), “Chicago Fire” (7.0 million viewers), and “Chicago P.D. (5.8 million viewers). All three shows were up by single-digit percentages over their last season premieres (+5%, +4%, and +6%, respectively) while up double digits vs. the final four episodes from last season (+24%, +16% and +19%, respectively).
According to fast affiliate ratings for January 18, Thursday dramas “Law & Order” (5.2 million), “Law & Order: SVU” (5.6 million) and “Law & Order: Organized Crime” (3.8 million) saw double-digit gains vs. their final four episodes from last season with “SVU” (now celebrating its 25th season) up +31%, original recipe up +29% and the most recent iteration up +12%.
Last season, the three “Law & Order” shows opened their new seasons with a three-show crossover where “Organized Crime” opened the night at 8:00 p.m. with “Law & Order” finished things up at 10:00 p.m.
As is always the case, all six shows will see substantial increases in delayed viewing in Live+3 and Live+7 and from streaming on Peacock.
For the show’s 23rd season, “Law & Order” introduced a new detective to the squad, Detective Vincent Riley (Reid Scott), replacing Jeffrey Donovan as Detective Frank Cosgrove, who opted out of returning to the series due to creative reasons.
Peter Kramer/NBC
On “SVU,” “All My Children” alum Kelli Giddish appeared as a guest star, reprising her role as Amanda Rollins on the veteran series. In recent seasons, the show has introduced a few new characters, including Octavio Pisano as Detective Joe Velasco.
“Chicago Med,” “Chicago Fire” and “Chicago P.D.” air on Wednesday nights from 8:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT on NBC. Meanwhile, “Law & Order,” “Law & Order: SVU” and “Law & Order: Organized Crime” air on Thursday nights from 8:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT on NBC. Stream episodes the next day on Peacock.