As another consequence of the WGA strike, and something that's been coming for quite a while anyway, NBC has announced the network will no longer make the Fall Debut the beginning of their television season and will instead unveil new programs year-round.  The New York Times reports that the Peacock will announce a 52-week schedule in April, ending decades of tradition that began in radio days when series seasons and school years coincided.

Michael Pilot, the head of Sales for NBC, said, "We absolutely think this is going to change the industry."

NBC Universal also owns the SciFi Channel, which has engaged in unorthodox season structures for years.  As it is, many shows begin in so-called "off months," and viewers have been demanding more new content with fewer reruns, now that media are available online, on demand, and on sister networks (again, such as the rebroadcasts of Heroes and Bionic Woman on SciFi after their initial broadcasts on NBC).  The strike has already pushed many shows into late production, and shut down pilot season, and this is as good an opportunity as any to officially begin a new scheduling system.

What about the other networks?  ABC already staggers the starts of popular shows such as Lost and Grey's Anatomy, and FOX has all but cornered the market in winning mid-season series.  It wouldn't be a big leap, once that first step was taken.

Aaron Cohen, VP of Horizon Media in New York, said, "NBC is the test bed. If buyer reaction is good, it will get considered by the others."

What do you think?  Do away with the Fall premiere season and stagger your favorite shows?