Many were wondering what was taking NBC so long to renew their flagship series, This Is Us and it turns out the wait was due to securing a rare type of pickup. NBC has given a mega-three-season renewal to the series which will carry it to season 6.
Multi-season pickups aren’t exactly unprecedented but the size of the order is very rare and only reserved for the biggest hits on television. CBS’ The Big Bang Theory most recently received a three-season pickup in 2014. Like the first three seasons, the next three will consist of 18 episodes each.
NBC co-chairman Paul Telegdy was asked during their Upfronts Presentation whether This Is Us would end with Season 6 and here is what he had to say:
“We’re keeping it open for now. Creator Dan Fogelman has a plan for the show, for now it’s being picked up for three more seasons.”
Another likely factor in the delay of the official announcement was ensuring that series creator Fogelman, whose overall deal with 20th TV was coming to an end, would continue on the show. His re-up with the studio closed within the last week or so.
This is This Is Us‘ second consecutive multi-season pickup. The family drama was previously renewed for two seasons, two and three, halfway through its freshman season. In Season 3, This Is Us averaged a 3.79 rating in adults 18-49 and 13.8 million total viewers (Live+7). It is on track to finish as No. 1 broadcast dramas in 18-49 for a third consecutive season. It is currently the season’s #1 entertainment series on any broadcast or cable network in 18-49, as well as the #2 drama in total viewers.
This Is Us follows the lives and families of two parents, and their three children, in several different time frames. The ensemble cast includes Milo Ventimiglia, Mandy Moore, Sterling K. Brown, Chrissy Metz, Justin Hartley, Susan Kelechi Watson, Chris Sullivan, Jon Huertas, Niles Fitch, Logan Shroyer, Hannah Zeile, Mackenzie Hancsicsak, Parker Bates, Lonnie Chavis, Eris Baker, and Faithe Herman.
