Chicago Fans Rejoice: Exciting Franchise News Revealed!

The One Chicago franchise isn’t bowing out just yet! NBC has renewed three of its powerhouse series: “Chicago Fire” for its 14th season, “Chicago PD” for its 13th season, and “Chicago Med” for its 11th season. This renewal was announced on social media through a video featuring various cast members from Chicago Fire, available for viewing below.

As Deadline reported last month, the renewal of the three Chicago series – and the rest of Wolf Entertainment’s dramatic series on NBC – was never in doubt. Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Chicago Med, and “Law & Order: SVU” indeed dominate NBC’s linear scripted series ratings as well as those on its streaming service, Peacock. According to NBCUniversal, the current seasons of the three Chicago series have reached nearly 46 million viewers to date on NBC and Peacock, with their streaming viewership also increasing year over year.

Expected Budget Cuts

However, as per annual tradition, budget discussions took place between the network and Universal Television, the studio behind Wolf Entertainment’s series, ahead of the renewals. These discussions resulted in cuts across all series known collectively as One Chicago, a common practice for long-running shows as their costs rise with age.

Two years ago, as the 2022-2023 season approached, Wolf Entertainment and Universal TV had reduced the “minimum guarantees” for most actors in the Chicago series and Law & Order: SVU. This cost-saving measure, widely used for long-standing dramatic series, involves not featuring recurring characters in every produced episode. At that time, the reduction was a few episodes, for example, two for most actors.

As Deadline writes, this is still the case today, with some actors set to appear in two to four fewer episodes next season. According to the media outlet, although the overall orders for the three series are still evolving, they might be slightly shorter next season, another persistent trend in television that allows networks to save money. In another measure to curtail budget increases, some One Chicago actors will also have to forgo their annual 5% raise, according to some sources.

With these renewals secured, One Chicago still needs to ensure the support of a few seasoned actors whose contracts are expiring this season, including Chicago Fire star Taylor Kinney. Negotiations are reportedly ongoing. However, two cast members from the same series, Daniel Kyri and Jake Lockett, will not return next season to cut costs, Deadline reported last month. According to some sources, other departures from One Chicago could be possible.

One Chicago, described by NBC as the most-watched drama franchise on Live+7 television, has helped the network dominate Wednesday nights. The three shows, pioneers of the integrated franchise universe, also perform very well together: their crossover event on January 29 last set records for each of the series in Live+7 ratings.

Live+7 ratings are indicators used in television to measure a program’s viewership within seven days of its initial broadcast. These ratings include viewers who watch the show via digital recorders, streaming services, or on-demand platforms shortly after its airing.