Fox Network Television History
The Fox Network television history has not all been plain sailing. It was launched in October 1986 after the parent company of 20th Century Fox, TCF Holdings, sold 50% of its shares to News Corporation for $250 million in 1985. New Corporation then bought six television stations in various major cities from Metromedia. At this time, the stations that they bought were broadcastings to just 22% of households in the United States. Once they started broadcasting as Fox in 1986 there were reaching 80%. This however, was not enough to be considered alongside the other three main networks of ABC, CBS and NBC who were reaching over 97%. Fox was still in its infancy at this point and although it had many plans in the pipeline it was only broadcasting one show – The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers.
The network was seen to have a young and slightly irreverent outlook in its programming and was soon broadcasting shows such as ‘Married… with Children’ and ‘The Tracey Ullman Show’. It was not long before ‘The Simpsons’ was born and this went on to be the longest running animated series and situation comedy in the history of U.S. television. Fox Network television history was being made.
‘America’s Most Wanted’ was the next big success story in Fox Network television history and was the first show to make it into the top 50 shows of the week in the all important Nielson ratings. The show is still among the prime time hits. … Continue Reading ...