One issue facing NBC Entertainment co-chairman Ben Silverman with his plan to roll out new shows year-round is that Fox already tried it several years ago.

That's made it seem to some like a warmed-over idea whose principal aim is to give the fourth-place NBC something to talk up heading into this year's upfront market.

But that cynical view is not held by most media buyers.

While they have their doubts, many see Silverman's plan as a good-faith effort to turn NBC around and to improve the position of network television overall against the encroachments of cable and other media.

That's the outcome of a Media Life survey posted on Friday asking readers for their reaction to the 65-week schedule NBC presented on Wednesday to buyers and the media.

On a scale of one to five, buyers were asked to rate how promising they thought NBC's upcoming schedule was.

Well over half, 58 percent, gave it a three or better. The largest share, 35 percent, gave it a three.

Just 17 percent gave it the lowest rating, a one.

Asked what they thought of the schedule and given three choices, 47 percent agreed with this statement:

"It’s a nice idea but I have my doubts. Other networks have tried this before, and it’s hard to imagine that many of the shows will be big enough hits to stick with the schedule. Plus, their summer stuff is still mostly reality."

But another 26 percent were considerably more upbeat, agreeing with this statement:

"It’s very smart. By laying out a year-round schedule with very limited repeats, NBC is responding to advertisers who are unhappy with the current broadcast formula. Silverman is smart, and the presentation was impressive."

The remaining 28 percent had very serious doubts, agreeing with this statement:

"It’s hooey. Last year NBC ripped up its fall schedule before summer even started, so what’s the point of making promises now that won’t be kept, especially when advertisers know that?"

Asked whether they thought other networks would follow NBC's lead, the largest share, 54 percent, were warm to the idea. They rated the likelihood as medium, agreeing with the statement: "It's a good idea but there are a lot of obstacles."

Another 10 percent thought chances were high if the networks wanted to keep their advertisers.

But 32 percent saw the chances as low, noting that Fox had already tried it. Just 3 percent thought it would never happen.

Responding to other survey questions, more readers than not--58 percent to 42 percent-- thought it was a good idea for NBC to bring back "ER" for yet another season, despite its age and fading ratings.

On the much-talked-about spinoff of "The Office" and whether it would catch with viewers, just over half, 51 percent, of readers took a wait-and-see position, agreeing with this statement: "Who knows? It's all in the execution. Let's wait and see what they come up with before making any judgments."

But a third, 33 percent, thought it was not a good idea, agreeing with this statement: "Did you see the one-hour 'Office' episodes last year? They were painful. You can’t squeeze another 30 minutes out of this conceit organically, and certainly not another show."

Just 16 percent thought it was a great idea.

Among the new shows announced last week, readers were most optimistic about "Kath & Kim,” a remake of an Australian sitcom about a mother and daughter. Asked to name the show with the least promise, readers chose the revival of “Knight Rider.”

Invited to offer advice to Silverman about how to revive NBC, readers were not at a loss to express their opinions, and they went all over the place.

Some wanted to see the return of the NBC of old, when it was known for its quality shows and appointment viewing. Others advised shedding the last of its past for a whole new approach to programming.

A few opined that the best thing for NBC would be to get rid of NBCU president Jeff Zucker, who's gotten heaps of blame for the network's decline

But mostly readers offered constructive thoughts. Here are just a few of them.

"Stop the trash reality and start with good scripted dramas like [former entertainment president Kevin] Reilly was doing, he was beginning to bring back some glory of the old NBC must-see days."

"Emphasize new scripted dramas and sitcoms. A network trying to crawl out of the ratings basement without at least half-a-dozen sitcoms, particularly the multi-cam variety, because the single-cam ones are less successful in terms of household ratings, rarely wins a season."

"Stop trying to re-create Thursday night as 'Must See TV' with comedies that only the critics like. 'Friends' is over. It was a '90s phenomenon. Rebuild the night with something more than half-baked leftovers of the 'Friends' era."

"I have always felt that the quality of TV would improve if less episodes were ordered and well produced. NBC should continue to experiment with the short order or half-season pickup. It will keep viewers interested and anticipating their favorite’s return each season all the more."

"Knock off the vertical thinking. It's one thing to repurpose a program when the opportunity arises, but lately NBCU seems to be STARTING with what can we produce that can be repurposed? Invest in some quality programming. Stop looking at everything through an accountant's eyes."

"There's still a need for a clearer Silverman imprint. That should mean more new dramas and especially some new family comedies. A move toward greater quality and buzz requires more scripts and considerably less reality, at least on nights other than weekends and during the summer. Then again, more scripted shows for the summer would be an even bigger indicator that NBC is out to change its fate from recent seasons."

"Stop with the gimmicks and take a risk on developing scripted sitcoms that aren't quirky and dramas that don't come from another planet. 'ER' and the 'L&O' series are played out, but they represent a type of solid, mainstream drama that is doing well on other channels. Fresh shows in those genres could work well. Likewise, NBC needs is a new 'Cosby Show' for the 8 p.m. audience. 'The Office' and 'SNL' are fine in their niche, but it's a small one."

"Stop running your successful shows into the ground. With 'Deal or No Deal' going into syndication this fall with Howie [Mandel] as host, the franchise is going to be even more overexposed than before. Relying on it to prop up 'Life' and 'Lipstick Jungle' is too tall an order to ask."

"The hardest thing for viewers is how networks, most notably NBC, shift shows around from timeslot to timeslot and skip weeks here and there. It's incredibly hard for the viewer to find out when their favorite show will actually be on, and I believe that's why shows (especially new ones) aren't able to have the traction they once had. With this new 65 week schedule, it will be even harder for the viewer to follow."