Network-By-Network Schedule Analysis

Tag: Cable Clips

Tantalizing pilot previews or no tantalizing pilot previews, flashy presentations or no flashy presentations, the broadcast television networks last week laid out their programming strategies for fall.

The upfront advertising market in New York reflected an industry in transition and trying to shake off the effects of the 100-day writers strike that ended in February.

Here’s a network-by-network analysis of what to expect next season. The No. 1 network isn’t adding much to its fall lineup—and that’s a good thing, according to entertainment division President Kevin Reilly.

“We looked at our schedule and said we don’t need a lot, and the good news is we got what we needed,” Mr. Reilly said.

The network’s fall game plan boils down to one show: “Fringe,” an “X-Files”-like drama from “Lost” co-creator J.J. Abrams. It’s also introducing a new comedy called “Do Not Disturb,” but it’s in a low-profile time slot and expectations are low.

Strategy-wise, Fox hopes to maximize its ratings—and minimize the disruption caused by baseball playoffs coverage—by rolling out a big chunk of its lineup before Labor Day.

“There is going to be a lot of noise in September, October and November,” Fox Entertainment Chairman Peter Liguori said, referring to the flood of premieres on other networks. “We felt the best way to manage that was to get out early.”

As it has in recent seasons, Fox will save the bulk of its new product for January and beyond, when “American Idol” gives the network a great promotional launching pad for the Joss Whedon drama “Dollhouse” and the animated “Family Guy” spinoff “The Cleveland Show.”