Fox’s “The Next Great Champ” is turning out to be a reality dud, and now NBC’s “The Contender” is looking to avoid all association between the shows.
Meanwhile, “The Contender” may not be ready for its scheduled premiere in November. One way or the other, rumors are swirling that NBC is thinking about pushing back its November launch.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, NBC is mulling the possibility of moving “The Contender,” which comes from producers Mark Burnett, Jeffrey Katzenberg and Sylvester Stallone, to January.
Initially, “The Contender” had been set for November to possibly blunt the final few episodes for Fox’s Oscar De La Hoya-fronted “Champ.” However, premiering with only 5 million viewers and showing scarcely any improvement since, “Champ” has done a fine job of blunting its own momentum.
Although a move to January would leave some breathing room between the two pugilistic shows, it would also place “The Contender,” aiming to air at 7 p.m. Tuesdays, right in the path of Fox’s mega-hit “American Idol.”
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Edited by Cara DiPasquale ([email protected]) and Kris Karnopp ([email protected])