By William Launder Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES NEW YORK (DOW JONES)--Comcast Corp.'s (CMCSK, CMCSA) NBC Universal is mulling the launch of a new original series for late summer, aimed at capturing audiences already tuned in for the network's Olympics coverage. A spokesman for NBC said the network would decide in May if it will launch a fresh series or a new season of an existing show after the London Olympics conclude in mid-August. The network is likely to choose a scripted show. Viewers are historically accustomed to networks launching new shows and show seasons in mid-September, but NBC is gambling it can attract fans by marketing the new programming during the highly-rated Olympics. As part of efforts to rejuvenate the network's lagging ratings, Comcast last year agreed to pay more than $4 billion to keep the Olympics on NBC channels through 2020. Variety Magazine previously reported the potential launch by NBC. -By William Launder, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-3412; william.launder@dowjones.com
