‘Newsradio’ Gets New Slot

NBC is flip-flopping Wednesday sitcoms “Wings” and “NewsRadio” in an effort to save the latter.

“Wings” is moving from 8 p.m. to “NewsRadio’s” 9 p.m. half-hour starting March 5. “NewsRadio” will not air that night, and a “Frasier” episode will fill “Wings’ ” previous slot. That same night, new sitcom “Just Shoot Me” moves into its regular 9:30 p.m. half-hour.

One week later, “NewsRadio” will move to “Wings’ ” 8 p.m. slot. That’s the same night NBC is scheduled to introduce the drama series “Prince Street” in the Wednesday 10-11 p.m. block that has been housing “Law & Order.”

“Prince Street” will preview from 10-11 on Thursday, March 6. “Law & Order” will move to “ER’s” Thursday 10 p.m. time slot for four weeks.

Last week, NBC garnered its worst overall Wednesday rating for regularly scheduled original programming. Notably, “NewsRadio” suffered its lowest household rating opposite ABC’s blossoming sitcom “The Drew Carey Show,” according to Nielsen Media Research.

At 8 p.m., “NewsRadio” faces a much weaker foe in ABC’s “Grace Under Fire” -which also garnered its lowest rating last week - but much stronger comedy competition from CBS’ “The Nanny.”

Since “Wings” is in its final season, NBC has less interest in protecting it from “Carey.” And “Wings’ ” numbers are likely to get goosed in its last few broadcasts as viewers tune in to see it tune out. Its final broadcast is scheduled for May 21.