In recent years, I’ve noticed that a few shows - “Under the Dome” and “Falling Skies” comes to mind - have their season premier in the summer rather than the fall. Not a bad idea, because it spreads things out and gives you something new all-year around. Not that I watch much TV (I don’t).
They could try hiring lesser known actors and making shows on the cheap, they’d need actual writers with actual talent and imagination, but it can be done.