It has been a major renewal day at NBC. After giving a very early second-season pickup to freshman breakout Blindspot, NBC also has renewed the first two series in the Chicago franchise, Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D., for the 2016-17 season. Chicago Fire will be entering its fifth season, while Chicago P.D. will begin its fourth. (Also today, NBC ordered three more episodes of sophomore dramedy The Mysteries of Laura).

The renewals for Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. were announced by NBC Chairman Bob Greenblatt tonight at a premiere party in Chicago with the cast of all three series from the Chicago franchise, which all film in the Windy City. I hear Greenblatt surprised everyone in the room when, standing next to Chicago and Law & Order boss Dick Wolf, he announced the pickup news (photo on right).

Flagship Chicago Fire and spinoff Chicago P.D. have been solid this fall. They soon will be joined by the latest Chicago offshoot, Chicago Med, which premieres next Tuesday, November 17.