Fox on Monday became the first broadcast network to announce a new fall schedule and it appears to be as pandemic-proof as possible.
With production in Hollywood still on lock-down, it remains unclear as to when and how new scripted shows can be made. So Fox is going with a lineup that largely consists of sports franchises (football and wrestling), reality series, animated comedies and shows that were already in the can.
An example of the latter is “LA’s Finest,” a cop drama starring Gabrielle Union and Jessica Alba that Fox has acquired from Sony Pictures TV. It previously aired on Spectrum Originals.
Also in the fall lineup are two new dramas — “NeXt” and “Filthy Rich” — that were originally expected to debut this spring. Meanwhile, several familiar Fox scripted series — including the “9-1-1” franchise — are being held back for 2021.
Fox is making a bet that the NFL season will kick off in the fall as planned. The network’s entire Thursday night block is devoted to football.
Fox has been fortunate in one aspect when it comes to planning during the COVID-19 outbreak. Production on animated series has continued through the pandemic. And so shows like “The Simpsons” and “Family Guy” have not been affected.
Fox Fall 2020 Schedule
(All Times ET/PT)
MONDAY
8:00-9:00 PM L.A.’S FINEST (network television debut)
9:00-10:00 PM NEXT (new series)
TUESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM COSMOS: POSSIBLE WORLDS (network television debut)
9:00-10:00 PM FILTHY RICH (new series)
WEDNESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM THE MASKED SINGER (new season)
9:00-10:00 PM MASTERCHEF JUNIOR (new season)
THURSDAY
8:00-8:19 PM ET/ KICKOFF SHOW
5:00-5:19 PM PT
8:20 PM-CC ET/ THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
5:20 PM-CC PT
FRIDAY
8:00-10:00 PM WWE’S FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN
SATURDAY
7:00-10:30 PM FOX SPORTS SATURDAY
SUNDAY
7:00-7:30 PM NFL ON FOX
7:30-8:00 PM THE OT / FOX ENCORES
8:00-8:30 PM THE SIMPSONS (new season)
8:30-9:00 PM BLESS THE HARTS (new season)
9:00-9:30 PM BOB’S BURGERS (new season)
9:30-10:00 PM FAMILY GUY (new season)
