NBC to Shuffle Programming

NBC programming chief Garth Ancier outlined a sweeping revamping of the prime-time lineup, midway through what has been a disappointing November sweeps for NBC. The changes, which will begin to roll out during January, affect every night but Wednesday and NBC’s long-dominant Thursday franchise. Comedies will be dropped from Monday entirely, with the high school drama “Freaks and Geeks” shifting from Saturday to open the night at 8, followed by “Dateline NBC,” then “Third Watch.” Meanwhile, “Suddenly Susan,” starring Brooke Shields, has been shelved indefinitely. Tuesdays will absorb the much-traveled sitcom “Veronica’s Closet” at 9:30 p.m., filling a spot left vacant by the early cancellation of “The Mike O’Malley Show.” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” will move from Mondays at 9 p.m. to Fridays at 10 p.m.