Fox Unveils Fall Schedule Heavy on Reality, Sports, and Animation
Fox Broadcasting Company has announced its fall schedule, showcasing a strategic focus on reality television, sports programming, and its established Sunday animation lineup. The network, in a presentation to advertisers on May 12th, revealed a lineup featuring a limited number of scripted series, signaling a shift in programming strategy.
The fall schedule pairs returning freshman dramas "Doc," a medical drama, and "Murder in a Small Town," a mystery series, on Tuesday nights. This block of scripted content aims to provide a consistent viewing experience for fans of these genres. However, Monday and Wednesday nights will be dominated by game shows, including two new additions: "99 To Beat" and a celebrity revival of the popular NBC game show "The Weakest Link." This represents a significant departure from last fall, when Fox aired four dramas across two nights.
Returning midseason shows bolster Fox’s programming slate, with comedies "Animal Control" and "Going Dutch," the animated series "Grimsburg" and "Family Guy," and the reality competition series "The Masked Singer" all slated to return. Notably, "The Masked Singer" will be absent from the fall schedule for the first time since its premiere in 2019, a strategic decision likely aimed at maximizing its impact during a later broadcast window.
Fox also announced several new shows slated for midseason. These include the drama "Memory of a Killer," which follows a hitman grappling with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, and a second revival of the early-2000s reality show "Fear Factor," known for its gross-out challenges. "The Faithful," a three-week series exploring the Old Testament’s Book of Genesis, will also join the lineup. Furthermore, "Best Medicine," an hour-long comedy starring Josh Charles as an abrasive surgeon who relocates to an East Coast fishing village, promises to bring a comedic perspective to the medical genre. The series is based on the British show "Doc Martin." The animated comedy "American Dad," which previously aired on Fox from 2005 to 2014 before moving to TBS, will also make its return to Fox during the midseason.
The network has made some difficult decisions regarding cancellations. "Rescue: Hi-Surf," a freshman drama that the network had high hopes for, has been canceled, along with "9-1-1: Lone Star." The fates of three other shows – "Alert: Missing Persons Unit," "The Cleaning Lady," and "The Great North" – remain uncertain, with the network awaiting further performance data before making a final decision. Final decisions regarding these shows are expected by June 30th.
The programming schedule, as presented to advertisers, offers a clear picture of Fox’s strategy for the fall season. The emphasis on reality TV, sports, and animation reflects a focus on genres with proven audience appeal. The limited number of scripted series suggests a more selective approach to drama and comedy programming.
Fox Fall 2024 Schedule (ET/PT):
Monday:
- 8:00 PM: Name That Tune
- 9:00 PM: Celebrity Weakest Link
Tuesday:
- 8:00 PM: Murder In a Small Town
- 9:00 PM: Doc
Wednesday:
- 8:00 PM: The Floor
- 9:00 PM: 99 To Beat
Thursday:
- 8:00 PM: Hell’s Kitchen
- 9:00 PM: Special Forces: Worlds Toughest Test
Friday:
- 8:00 PM: Fox College Football Friday
Saturday:
- 7:00 PM: Fox Sports Saturday
Sunday:
- 7:00 PM: NFL
- 7:30 PM: The OT/Animation repeats
- 8:00 PM: The Simpsons
- 8:30 PM: Universal Basic Guys
- 9:00 PM: Krapopolis
- 9:30 PM: Bob’s Burgers
The strategic scheduling of sports programming, particularly on Friday and Sunday nights, is designed to capitalize on the large audiences that these events attract. The Sunday animation block, a long-standing tradition for Fox, continues to provide a consistent source of ratings and viewership.
The addition of new game shows like "99 To Beat" and the celebrity revival of "The Weakest Link" indicates a renewed interest in the game show format. These shows offer a relatively low-cost programming option with the potential for high viewership. The network hopes that these new additions will draw in a broad audience seeking light and entertaining content.
The success of Fox’s fall schedule will depend on a number of factors, including the performance of its new shows, the continued appeal of its returning series, and its ability to attract viewers in a competitive television landscape. The network’s strategic focus on reality TV, sports, and animation suggests a desire to appeal to a broad audience and maintain its position in the television market. The decisions regarding the fates of "Alert: Missing Persons Unit," "The Cleaning Lady," and "The Great North" will further shape Fox’s programming strategy in the coming months.
