What Happened to One Chicago Wednesdays? Inside NBC’s Unpopular Scheduling Decision
Wednesdays used to mean one thing for NBC viewers: Fire, Med, and P.D., all in a row. But lately, fans are left locked in, refreshing their remotes—only to find repeats or preemptions. What gives? Let’s dive into why NBC shifted course—why strikes, politics, and production hiccups upended the beloved One Chicago franchise.
The Shock That Hit Viewers
Surprise Pulls & No Warning
One minute, you’d be ready for Rescue 51; the next, you’d be greeted by reruns—without any alerts from NBC
Fans on X (formerly Twitter) expressed frustration:
“Why is #ChicagoPD new episodes coming every other week?”
The Cause—Strikes & Production Delays
WGA and SAG-AFTRA Disruption
The 2023 Writers Guild and SAG-AFTRA strikes knocked scripts and filming off schedule
NBC Needed Content to Fill Gaps
To stretch the season, reruns became the default—even as fall 2023 production lagged
The Production Catch-Up Plan
Spreading Out the Episodes
NBC inserted rerun breaks until the pipeline caught up—delaying return until March 20, 2024 .
Fan Backlash
Viewers blasted the move:
“I’d prefer the season end early than wonder each week if it’s a new episode.”
Political Interruptions
Jan 15, 2025 Preemption
NBC yanked One Chicago to air President Biden’s farewell address, pushing the crossover event and new episodes back
Tiny Break, Big Impact
That one off-night triggered confusion, as beloved series missed a week unannounced .
How NBC Reorganized the Schedule
Crossover Shuffle
For big crossover events, NBC even swapped timeslots—Med now opens the night, trickling through to P.D.
Guest Debuts Delayed
Fans were forced to wait longer for anticipated character arcs and partnerships due to breaks .
The Fix Arrives
Planned Return
By November 6, 2024 and again March 20 and January 8, 2025, NBC confirmed that new episodes would resume in regular Wednesday slots
Relief for Fans
Trailers and Peacock promos teased new Chicago content, rebuilding anticipation
Why This Truly Mattered
Wednesday = Appointment Viewing
One Chicago is NBC’s most-watched drama block, delivering standout consistent ratings .
Viewers Suffer When Schedule Flips
Frequent breaks damaged momentum—fans threatened to skip Wednesdays altogether
Is This Normal for Network TV?
Hiatuses Are Common, But Not This Messy
Yes, seasons pause—but coordinating THREE network series? That’s a logistical rollercoaster
Strikes Exacerbated the Problem
Without the usual buffer, One Chicago was left vulnerable to pipeline issues
What’s Ahead?
Renewals Through 2025–26
NBC confirms Chicago Fire Season 14, Med 11, P.D. 13—so Wednesday chaos shouldn’t repeat ﹣
Scheduled Reporting Going Forward
Expect a more precise NBC calendar for 2025, avoiding the last-minute scrambles .
Conclusion
NBC’s awkward Wednesday shuffle—pulled episodes, unforeseen hiatuses, preemptions—weren’t due to a lack of love for One Chicago. They stemmed from real-world disruptions and the challenge of managing THREE heavyweight dramas at once. Good news: production has rebounded, schedules were clarified, and loyal viewers are set for a more predictable lineup moving forward.
It was rocky, no doubt—but now that Fire, Med, and P.D. are back in sync, audiences can once again settle in, Wednesday after Wednesday, with confidence.
FAQs
Q1: Why were new One Chicago episodes suddenly pulled?
Due to delays from the 2023 Writers Guild and SAG-AFTRA strikes, NBC strategically inserted reruns while production caught up
Q2: When did returns resume?
New episodes returned March 20, 2024, January 8, 2025, and the crossover reset aired January 29—though preempted by Biden’s address on Jan 15
Q3: Did fans react badly?
Yes—many tweeted, “Why is there a break?!”; Reddit users vented frustrations and expressed fear the franchise might lose momentum
Q4: Is this typical for One Chicago?
Not usually—coordinated scheduling across three shows is rare, though brief refocusing breaks are part of TV logic .
Q5: What’s next for Wednesday nights?
With all three shows officially renewed and production back on track, expect a stable Wednesday schedule through 2025–26 .
