TNBC
Encyclopedia
TNBC was a Saturday morning programing block of television shows geared toward teenagers and young adults that aired on NBC
from 1992 to 2002.
. This ultimately persuaded NBC to cancel all of its animated programs
in favor of live action
teen-oriented shows on Saturday mornings, making NBC the first network to drop children's programming entirely. As a result of this change, California Dreams
, originally a sitcom about a family was changed to a sitcom about a group of teenage friends, setting the template for future TNBC shows to follow this same format.
The sitcom USA High
(1997–1999, produced by Peter Engel
) was originally intended to air on the lineup, however the series aired on USA Network
along with Saved by the Bell: The New Class
which aired concurrently on both networks. Another Engel-produced sitcom Malibu, CA
(1998–2000) only aired on local syndication. That series was packaged with Saved by the Bell and California Dreams
and aired on local syndication markets. USA High and Malibu, CA are the only Engel-produced series that did not air on TNBC, post-Saved by the Bell: The College Years
.
During the lineup's history only three non-fiction series were produced Brains & Brawn, Name Your Adventure
and NBA Inside Stuff
, the latter series was the only series that aired throughout the lineup's existence.
In 2000, the Thomas W. Lynch
-produced series Just Deal
was the first TNBC scripted series not to be produced by Peter Engel since Running the Halls
(1993) and the first series to be shot in single-camera format. The following year Sk8
, (also produced by Lynch) aired for one season before being canceled. Reruns continued to air until the lineup folded in 2002 and was replaced by the Discovery Kids on NBC
programming block.
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
from 1992 to 2002.
History
The idea for TNBC sprang from the popularity of Saved by the BellSaved by the Bell
Saved by the Bell is an American television sitcom that aired between 1989 and 1993. The series is a retooled version of the 1988 series Good Morning, Miss Bliss, which was itself later folded into the history of Saved by the Bell...
. This ultimately persuaded NBC to cancel all of its animated programs
Saturday morning cartoon
A Saturday morning cartoon is the colloquial term for the animated television programming that has typically been scheduled on Saturday mornings on the major American television networks from the 1960s to the present; the genre's peak in popularity mostly ended in the 1990s while the popularity of...
in favor of live action
Live action
In filmmaking, video production, and other media, the term live action refers to cinematography, videography not produced using animation...
teen-oriented shows on Saturday mornings, making NBC the first network to drop children's programming entirely. As a result of this change, California Dreams
California Dreams
California Dreams is an American teen-oriented sitcom that aired from 1992 to 1996 on Saturday mornings during NBC's TNBC programming block. It was created by writers Brett Dewey and Ronald B. Solomon and executive produced by Peter Engel, all known for their work on Saved by the...
, originally a sitcom about a family was changed to a sitcom about a group of teenage friends, setting the template for future TNBC shows to follow this same format.
The sitcom USA High
USA High
USA High is an American teen sitcom which ran from August 1997 to June 1999, ended after 95 episodes, and reran until August 4, 2001 on USA Network.-Synopsis:...
(1997–1999, produced by Peter Engel
Peter Engel (TV producer)
Peter Engel is a television producer who is best known for his teenage sitcoms which appeared on TNBC, a former Saturday morning block on NBC which featured all teenage-oriented programs for educational purposes...
) was originally intended to air on the lineup, however the series aired on USA Network
USA Network
USA Network is an American cable television channel launched in 1971. Once a minor player in basic cable, the network has steadily gained popularity because of breakout hits like Monk, Psych, Burn Notice, Royal Pains, Covert Affairs, White Collar, Monday Night RAW, Suits, and reruns of the various...
along with Saved by the Bell: The New Class
Saved by the Bell: The New Class
Saved by the Bell: The New Class is a spin-off of the Saved by the Bell series which ran from September 11, 1993 to January 8, 2000. The series lasted for seven seasons on NBC as a part of the network's TNBC Saturday morning line-up. It was the fourth incarnation of the franchise...
which aired concurrently on both networks. Another Engel-produced sitcom Malibu, CA
Malibu, CA (TV series)
Malibu, CA is an American teen sitcom television program produced by Saved by the Bell creator Peter Engel that aired from 1998 to 2000 on syndication...
(1998–2000) only aired on local syndication. That series was packaged with Saved by the Bell and California Dreams
California Dreams
California Dreams is an American teen-oriented sitcom that aired from 1992 to 1996 on Saturday mornings during NBC's TNBC programming block. It was created by writers Brett Dewey and Ronald B. Solomon and executive produced by Peter Engel, all known for their work on Saved by the...
and aired on local syndication markets. USA High and Malibu, CA are the only Engel-produced series that did not air on TNBC, post-Saved by the Bell: The College Years
Saved by the Bell: The College Years
Saved by the Bell: The College Years is a sequel to the Saved by the Bell series which ran from September 14, 1993 to February 8, 1994, lasting one season...
.
During the lineup's history only three non-fiction series were produced Brains & Brawn, Name Your Adventure
Name Your Adventure
Name Your Adventure is an American reality series that aired on Saturday mornings during NBC's TNBC line-up. Hosted by Mario Lopez, Jordan Brady, and Tatyana Ali, the series ran from September 1992 to September 1995.-Synopsis:...
and NBA Inside Stuff
NBA Inside Stuff
NBA Inside Stuff is a television program that now airs on NBA TV and previously aired on NBC for many years, then on ABC, featuring behind the scenes activities of NBA players. The program also includes features on fitness and fundamentals of basketball...
, the latter series was the only series that aired throughout the lineup's existence.
In 2000, the Thomas W. Lynch
Thomas W. Lynch
Thomas W. Lynch is an American television series creator and executive producer who is the head of his own production company, Tom Lynch Company based in Los Angeles, CA.-Career:The New York Times referred to him as "the David E...
-produced series Just Deal
Just Deal
Just Deal is a comedy-drama series that aired Saturday mornings on NBC as a part of the network's TNBC lineup. The series premiered on September 23, 2000 and ended on September 7, 2002-Premise:...
was the first TNBC scripted series not to be produced by Peter Engel since Running the Halls
Running the Halls
Running the Halls is an American television sitcom that aired on NBC's TNBC Saturday morning lineup. The series was created by Steve Slavkin , being the first TNBC sitcom not to be executive produced by Peter Engel....
(1993) and the first series to be shot in single-camera format. The following year Sk8
Sk8 (TV series)
Sk8 is a half-hour teen drama that aired on NBC's TNBC Saturday morning programming block from October 6 2001 to January 5, 2002 with 13 episodes produced. The show continued in reruns until TNBC's dissolution in September 2002....
, (also produced by Lynch) aired for one season before being canceled. Reruns continued to air until the lineup folded in 2002 and was replaced by the Discovery Kids on NBC
Discovery Kids
Discovery Kids is an American website owned by Discovery Communications, Inc. created for children. Until October 10, 2010, it was an American digital cable specialty channel, owned by Discovery Communications with television programming for education of children. It was launched in October 1996...
programming block.
List of TNBC shows
- Hang TimeHang Time (TV series)Hang Time is an American teen sitcom that aired from 1995–2000. The teen-oriented program aired on Saturday mornings on NBC as part of the network's TNBC morning block. It was created by Troy Searer, Robert Tarlow, and Mark Fink. Producer Peter Engel took over Fink's duties at the start of Season 2...
(1995–2001) - Saved by the Bell: The New ClassSaved by the Bell: The New ClassSaved by the Bell: The New Class is a spin-off of the Saved by the Bell series which ran from September 11, 1993 to January 8, 2000. The series lasted for seven seasons on NBC as a part of the network's TNBC Saturday morning line-up. It was the fourth incarnation of the franchise...
(1993–2000) - Running the HallsRunning the HallsRunning the Halls is an American television sitcom that aired on NBC's TNBC Saturday morning lineup. The series was created by Steve Slavkin , being the first TNBC sitcom not to be executive produced by Peter Engel....
(1993) - Name Your AdventureName Your AdventureName Your Adventure is an American reality series that aired on Saturday mornings during NBC's TNBC line-up. Hosted by Mario Lopez, Jordan Brady, and Tatyana Ali, the series ran from September 1992 to September 1995.-Synopsis:...
(1993–1995) - Brains & Brawn (1993)
- California DreamsCalifornia DreamsCalifornia Dreams is an American teen-oriented sitcom that aired from 1992 to 1996 on Saturday mornings during NBC's TNBC programming block. It was created by writers Brett Dewey and Ronald B. Solomon and executive produced by Peter Engel, all known for their work on Saved by the...
(1992–1996) - One WorldOne World (TV series)One World is a half-hour comedy series on TNBC about the everyday issues of a large family. The show focuses on the Blakes, a household living in Miami with six teens of various ethnic and racial backgrounds, who are adopted by ex-baseball player Dave Blake and his artist wife, Karen. The show was...
(1998–2001) - All About UsAll About Us (TV series)All About Us is an American teen comedy-drama series that aired on NBC during the station's TNBC lineup from August 4, 2001 to November 10, 2001. It was produced by Peter Engel Productions.-Synopsis:...
(2001) - City GuysCity GuysCity Guys is a United States television sitcom that aired from 1997 to December 2001. It lasted five seasons, and ended its airing time around the dissolution of TNBC.-Premise:...
(1997–2000) - Just DealJust DealJust Deal is a comedy-drama series that aired Saturday mornings on NBC as a part of the network's TNBC lineup. The series premiered on September 23, 2000 and ended on September 7, 2002-Premise:...
(2000–2002) - Sk8Sk8 (TV series)Sk8 is a half-hour teen drama that aired on NBC's TNBC Saturday morning programming block from October 6 2001 to January 5, 2002 with 13 episodes produced. The show continued in reruns until TNBC's dissolution in September 2002....
(2001–2002) - NBA Inside StuffNBA Inside StuffNBA Inside Stuff is a television program that now airs on NBA TV and previously aired on NBC for many years, then on ABC, featuring behind the scenes activities of NBA players. The program also includes features on fitness and fundamentals of basketball...
(1993–2002; Moved to ABC)