If you get through this summer and feel like it wasn't as long as some of the last ones, you might have NBC to blame.

The network, which is working hard to pull itself out of No. 4 among its broadcast competition, has decided to get an early start on the season, including premiering two news shows in mid-August, and giving one dark drama entering its sophomore season a chance to shine ahead of everyone else.

NBC will sneak the premieres of its new comedies "Go On" and "Animal Practice" without commercials just after Olympics coverage and closing ceremonies. "Go On," with former "Friends" star Matthew Perry, will get its debut Aug. 8, with "Animal Practice," the new comedy starring Justin Kirk, will get its bow Aug. 12.

The network will then given an early premiere for "Grimm" Aug. 13, right after the debut of its new competitive reality show "Stars Earn Stripes."

However, that will just be a small taste of new programming, as NBC will then wait until Sept. 10 to launch its new season of "The Voice" with "Go On" making its time period premiere on Sept. 11 ahead of "The New Normal" and "Parenthood."

The strategy is designed to give viewers an early taste of NBC's new programming, before its competitors even have a chance to get any of their new shows out the gate. It's an interesting strategy that could capitalize on the lack of network choices in August to start building those new audiences early, and maybe just maybe, help push NBC back to the top of the pack.

"Grimm" will have just one episode air over that 30-day period, not making its normal debut until Sept. 14 in its regular Friday, 9 p.m. ET timeslot.

The new series "Revolution," which presents a "Jericho"-like scenario in a world without power, will get its debut Sept. 17 at 10 p.m.

"Guys With Kids," starring Jesse Bradford and an ensemble comedy cast, will get a sneak peak Sept. 12, just after one of the final episodes of "America's Got Talent." It will then have its regular debut Sept. 26 at 8:30 p.m. ET, following "Animal Practice."

And just to stretch out its schedule even more, NBC has moved the premiere of "Chicago Fire" to Oct. 10, joining the premieres of NBC's regular shows like "30 Rock" (Oct. 4), "Whitney" and "Community" (both Oct. 19).