Acknowledging that the crop of new television programs last year was almost a complete washout, the networks are spending big this year to promise, if not genuine excitement, at least something different.

Some of the new series to be unveiled to advertisers in New York this week feature special-effects dinosaurs, an original musical, some period pieces and at least two importations of characters from Grimm’s Fairy Tales.

The networks, conceding that last year’s shows generated yawns among many viewers, are hoping to reap a windfall of advance financial commitments. Advertisers are prepared to increase significantly, perhaps by more than 10 percent, their spending on the networks’ fall season shows. And the programmers are looking to send the message that they recognize they have to find something other than a new round of police procedurals and sitcoms.

“We were looking for fresh,” said Bob Greenblatt, the new president of NBC Entertainment. “I really want people to see the concept for a show and go: ‘Oh wow. What’s that?’ ”