Probably one of the most surprising announcements to come out of the TCAs was from Fox. According to the network, they have plans to take a cue from successful cable networks. Instead of giving into the mad rush of pilot season Fox is developing shows all year-long instead of shortening their time.
Even though Fox still plans to have their May upfronts for industry advertisers, the networks isn’t going to bow down to the schedules when it’s about making original content. Instead the network plans to develop shows very far in advance and will schedule out their year.
During the conference, Kevin Reilly, the Fox Entertainment Chairman explained his decision:
“Look at the batting average, we couldn’t do any worse. You don’t throw 10 [pilots] at the wall and hope you come up with one. ”
It’s obvious that Reilly knows what he’s talking about just going by his previous experience at FX as a key member in the development in series’ like The Shield and Nip/Tuck .
Of his hopes that this system will carry out, Reilly said that he thinks it will be a talent-friendly structure, which migh mean that Fox will have close ties to different talent, instead of making a select few compete for pilot season. In addition, it is believed that the network is in “various stages of production on 10 series” which will come to fruition in the next two years.
As far as Fox’s current line up, their freshman series Brooklyn Nine-Nine just won the Golden Globe for Best Comedy Series. Not too shabby for a network that’s still considered as a youngin’ among the other head honchos.
As for Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Andy Samberg , who is the lead, he is still shocked by the Golden Globe win, ” I didn’t prepare anything, it wasn’t going to happen.”
As for his stunned speech Samberg said during the ceremony :
“I just will thank everyone. Thanks to Fox and Kevin Reilly and Universal. And the guys who came up with the show, Mike [Schur] and Dan[Goor]. The cast is awesome. The crew, really good. Can’t forget them. The writers kick A! I really do love them and respect them.”
Looks like Fox has found a keeper. Hopefully they will be able to find a few more with their new strategy.