NBC to Increase Production of Pilots

NBC's prime-time audience is headed for an eighth straight decline after it moved comedian Jay Leno to 10 p.m., replacing more-expensive scripted programs. Through Dec. 27, average viewership declined 1.2 percent from a year earlier. In the 18- 49 age group targeted by advertisers, the audience has dropped 8 percent, according to data from researcher Nielsen. "With rival broadcast networks riding a relatively high number of new hit shows premiering last fall, NBC appears to have the unenviable task of having to reprogram well over 20 percent of its prime-time schedule for next season," said Tuna Amobi, an analyst with Standard & Poor's.