Fox is the last network to announce its Fall 2008 schedule, and like ABC, it is making just a few changes.
Only two new shows (an hour each) (Fringe, a drama, and Do Not Disturb a sitcom) are being introduced in Fall 2008. That compares to and six shows (K-Ville, Back To You, Kitchen Nightmares, Don’t Forget the Lyrics, Next Great American Band, Nashville), comprising five and a half hours, introduced in Fall 2007.
Only two of the shows from last Fall (Kitchen Nightmares, Don’t Forget the Lyrics) survive for a second season, but Fox has Moment of Truth and Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles coming back from a successful spring.
Fox’s amount of unscripted programming (at 8 of 15 hours the highest % of any network) remains constant, but Moment of Truth moves in and the failed Next Great American Band moves out. In fact, removing the Sunday night animation block, Fox has only 6 hours a week programmed with shows written by WGA writers.
I like Fox’s scheduled programming to do much better than it did last Fall, where its positive momentum was largely due to its ML baseball playoff numbers. With only 2 new shows, I don’t see much potential for downside like last Fall. I still think it will take a back seat to CBS in total viewers, and ABC in total viewers and the age demos for the Fall, but the network should be in a better position at mid-season, when 24 and American Idol are set to return.
Fox Fall 2007 Schedule Shows vs. Fall 2008 Schedule Shows
|
2007 |
2008 |
|
| Monday | ||
| 8-9p | PRISON BREAK | TERMINATOR:SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES |
| 9-10p | K-VILLE | PRISON BREAK |
| Tuesday | ||
| 8-9p | BONES | HOUSE |
| 9-10p | HOUSE | FRINGE |
| Wednesday | ||
| 8-8:30p | BACK TO YOU | BONES (8-9p) |
| 8:30-9p | TIL DEATH | TIL DEATH (9-9:30p) |
| 9-10p | KITCHEN NIGHTMARES | DO NOT DISTURB |
| Thursday | ||
| 8-9p | ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5TH GRADER? | THE MOMENT OF TRUTH |
| 9-10p | DON’T FORGET THE LYRICS | KITCHEN NIGHTMARES |
| Friday | ||
| 8-9p | NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND | ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5th GRADER? |
| 9-10p | NASHVILLE | DON’T FORGET THE LYRICS |
| 10-11p | ||
| Saturday | ||
| 8-8:30p | COPS | COPS |
| 8:30-9p | COPS | COPS |
| 9-10p | AMERICA’S MOST WANTED | AMERICA’S MOST WANTED |
| Sunday | ||
| 7-8p | THE O.T. | THE O.T. |
| 8-8:30p | SIMPSONS | SIMPSONS |
| 8:30-9p | KING OF THE HILL | KING OF THE HILL |
| 9-9:30p | FAMILY GUY | FAMILY GUY |
| 9:30-10p | AMERICAN DAD | AMERICAN DAD |
Shows in BOLD CAPS are/were new, shows in italics are unscripted, 2007 shows in strikethrough did not return.
The shows scheduled to premiere in mid-season or later are: American Idol, 24, Dollhouse, Secret Millionaire, Sit Down, Shut Up, The Cleveland Show, and a TBA comedy.
I didn’t think it was worthwhile to compare the announced Winter 2009 and future schedules to this years for two reasons. One, this years Winter and Spring schedules were somewhat cobbled together in response to the writers strike. Two, schedules announced so far in advance have a habit of changing.
6/5 Update: Here are the premiere dates for the Fox Fall schedule.
I hate to tell you Robert, but T:SCC is a goner going up against Dancing with the Stars and the CBS comedies. Enjoy Summer while you can!
Poor Pushing Daisies has to face HOUSE now, so unfair!!!
One more thing: Bill, I do believe T:SCC will be a leader in DVR numbers. The demo will watch ABC or CBS live and then DVR T:SCC.
Fox is the only network looking to find a hit this season. They are really positioning Fringe to be successful, airing it after a popular show should grant it a large sampling audiecne, and JJ Abrams has a solid track record in making good shows, so it should be good enough to keep that audience.
There is no reason to think do not disturb will succeed. Til death is not really popular enough to give it a large sampling audience.
Thursday-Saturday is devoid of scripted programming. Sad. Sunday-Wednesday is all scripted programming. Weird.
I am sad that the Next Great American Band is gone.
I am really looking forward to Fringe and can't wait for TSCC to come back.
Actually, HOUSE will compete against Oppty Knocks, which is produced by former Fox alum Ashton Kutcher. But, HOUSE will whip it's rear end and teach Ashton Kutcher a lesson.
Personally, I could care less about T:SCC. I am in the 45-55 demo living in Manhattan Beach and would much prefer DWTS but absolutely love 24. I think the network has taken much wind out of all of we 24 fans and stringing it along for what seems to be FOREVER will, I'm quite sure, cost them. I am not the "norm" and normal fans will have lost interest quickly because their appetites have not been fed and they've moved on to other "addicted-to" shows out of shear boredom. There is little loyalty when there are not much of interest being sent one's way. Feed Me as Audrey II would say…<br><br>One would think FOX would know what the heck they're doing but for those of us obviously not in the "FOX know", we think they' re crazy.
I am very upset that the Next Great American Band show is gone. I waited all year since the last season ended for this to begin and I was very excited that it is almost time for it to start again. I can’t believe it’s cancelled.
I am very upset that you are putting Bones(which is the best series on Fox) up against Criminal Minds(which is a great show). Bones may lose some of its fans.