NBC exec says "Heroes" will continue next season

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - NBC plans to bring back "Heroes" for another season, entertainment president Angela Bromstad said.

The action-drama's ratings decline has led to media speculation as to whether the show will return next fall. As part of The Hollywood Reporter's annual Q&As with the five broadcast network chiefs, Bromstad was asked if "Heroes" could be considered "on the bubble" -- or in uncertain territory -- for a renewal.

"No," she said, and added that the network plans to order 18 to 20 episodes of the show for next season.

That's fewer hours than the show's first or current third season (which each had orders of at least 23 episodes), with season two having been cut short because of the writers strike.

For all its headline-making audience erosion, "Heroes" is still tied with NBC's "The Office" as the network's top-rated series among adults 18-49 this season.

Also being factored: NBC's pilot project "Day One," about a group of survivors in the wake of a catastrophic global event. If "Day One" becomes a series, having an established sci-fi drama like "Heroes" could help the new show in a few ways, including possibly airing as part of the same Monday night block.

"Day One' is a big event, and we're looking at that to come into the 'Heroes' spot," Bromstad said. "It's right now being looked at as a 13-episode run -- something people could commit to and we could make a big splash with."

The network has privately discussed setting a series end date for "Heroes," which would follow the creative model used with critical success by ABC's "Lost," Sci Fi's "Battlestar Galactica" and FX's "The Shield." But even if NBC executives make such a move, Bromstad said, they wouldn't want next season to be the concluding one.

"Heroes" fans aren't entirely in the clear yet, though: A renewal isn't a deal until it's a deal. If the show takes a sudden dire ratings turn, the network still has time to reevaluate this strategy. But barring something dramatic happening, NBC is not deterred by the current ratings and will bring back "Heroes" for a fourth round.

(Editing by Sheri Linden at Reuters)