An announcement made by Kevin Reilly, President of NBC Entertainment, confirms a string of revised television program schedules. The Apprentice will now move from its Sunday 9 pm slot to a less competitive spot of 10 pm.

The move is an upshot of Deal or No Deal’s absorption of The Apprentice’s current schedule. The Apprentice will soon occupy the 10 pm niche previously occupied by Crossing Jordan on Sunday, March 4.
The switch is a counter-strategy of the network to give the show’s ratings a boost and alleviate the beating Deal or No Deal has been faced with on its Wednesday night schedule opposite Fox’s American Idol. Struggling to combat the aggressive competitor is Crossing Jordan, which will soon air Wednesdays at 9 pm starting March 7.

"We are not going to slip quietly into spring," Reilly added as he announced the programming changes at the Television Critics Association's January Press Tour on Sunday. "With these exciting new shows in our re-configured schedule, we will be very competitive…and given the promotional momentum of the Olympics, we can give these promising shows the launch they deserve."

Ultimately, the jumble generates an expanded block of unscripted programming on NBC’s Sunday schedule, which will feature Grease: You’re the One That I Want, Deal or No Deal and The Apprentice, as well as a three-hour drama package on NBC’s Wednesday schedule, which consists of Friday Night Lights, Crossing Jordan and Medium.

The Apprentice showcases competing businessmen and businesswomen for a chance to win a one-year, $250,000 job of running one of host and executive producer Donald Trump's companies.

-Kris, BuddyTV Staff Columnist

Source: Variety