The JWalk Guide to the Broadcast TV Upfronts: Fox Edition

The broadcast TV upfronts are a week away and it’s time to take a closer look at what the networks schedules may look like for the 2019-2020 season. Over the next week, ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, and The CW will be making the final calls on what shows will be renewed and canceled. Here is a breakdown the fate of Fox’s lineup and what’s been RENEWED, LIKELY TO BE RENEWED, COULD GO EITHER WAY, LIKELY TO BE CANCELED OR CANCELED.

Even though the Fox network won’t look to different next season, it’s the network that’s going through the most behind the scenes transformation heading into this years upfronts. With the $71.3 billion Disney acquisition complete, Fox is heading into the 2019-2020 season without a television studio to supply its programs. New Fox is banking on sports/live programming two nights of the week to boost its same day ratings and advertising revenues.

With the NFL taking over Thursdays and WWE taking over Fridays this fall, Fox’s real estate on its schedule is even slimmer than ever. This means the network is going to be taking a much closer look at bubble shows that normally would get another season. Don’t be shocked at a Fox bloodbath next week.

The biggest question about Fox’s schedule will be the new homes of Friday night comedies Last Man Standing and The Cool Kids. Last Man Standing has been a savior for Fox after being rescued from cancellation at ABC last fall, outperforming last year’s Friday 8pm timeslot occupant Masterchef Junior by an average of 10%. Fox hopes those viewers will follow the show to a new time since the lineup is being displaced by wrestling. I wouldn’t be shocked to see it on Tuesdays, opposite ABC’s The Conners next fall.

Freshman Series

• The Cool Kids – CANCELED
• Last Man Standing – RENEWED
• The Masked Singer – RENEWED
• Mental Samurai –Likely to be renewed
• The Passage – CANCELED
• Proven Innocent – CANCELED
• Rel – CANCELED

Returning Series

• Bob’s Burgers – RENEWED
• Empire – RENEWED
• Family Guy – RENEWED
• The Gifted – CANCELED
• Gotham – Ending this season
• Lethal Weapon – CANCELED
• Masterchef – RENEWED
• Masterchef Junior – RENEWED
• 9-1-1 – RENEWED
• The Orville – RENEWED
• The Resident – RENEWED
• The Simpsons – RENEWED through 2021
• Star – CANCELED