NBC cancels 'Ironside,' starring Blair Underwood

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 18 (UPI) -- The U.S. drama "Ironside" and sitcom "Welcome to the Family" have been canceled weeks into their freshman seasons, NBC confirmed Friday.

The Hollywood Reporter said low ratings were to blame for the shows being axed.

NBC will air "Dateline" Wednesdays at 10 p.m. through November and December as well as a roster of upcoming holiday specials in place of "Ironside," which starred Blair Underwood.

Filling the void left by Mike O'Malley's "Welcome to the Family" on Thursday nights in the 8-9 p.m. time slot will first be back-to-back episodes of "Parks and Recreation," then a special edition of "The Voice," "Halloween specials" and "The Sound of Music Live," The Hollywood Reporter said.

The programs are the network's first cancellations of the 2013-14 season.

ABC recently announced it dumped its new show "Lucky 7," while CBS said last week it canceled its freshman sitcom "We Are Men."