Whoa. Big news!
Beginning January 19 and 20, AMERICAN IDOL will air Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8:00pm leading into HUMAN TARGET at 9:00pm on Wednesdays and BONES at 9:00pm on Thursdays!
FOX will continue to anchor Tuesday nights with the very successful GLEE at
8:00pm, leading into RAISING HOPE and the new comedy MIXED SIGNALS, which premieres February 8, two nights after a special episode of GLEE airs after SUPER BOWL XLV!
Four new series, BOB’S BURGERS, THE CHICAGO CODE, MIXED SIGNALS and the
newly announced comedy BREAKING IN (working title) join the FOX lineup!
FRINGE moves to Fridays at 9pm leading out of returning favorite KITCHEN NIGHTMARES, additional episodes of MILLION DOLLAR MONEY DROP air in January and night-by-night details for all our premieres.
So what do you think of THAT? I’m going to have to re-arrange my entire schedule. Wonder what was behind the move?
UPDATE: FOX Executives tell the Los Angeles Times that the idea to move Idol to Thursday came after CBS moved Survivor out of its longtime Thursday 8 p.m. home to Wednesday nights this fall.
“Here’s the opportunity we’ve been waiting for, ” says Fox Exec, Preston Beckman, “Thursday just isn’t what it used to be … there are still some of the strongest shows on TV, but none of them are in growth mode.”
Also, the strong performance of the FOX hit “Glee” contributed to the network’s decision to move Idol.
FOX reality chief, Mike Darnell tells Deadline Hollywood that FOX has been looking at Thursdays for a long time. “It is a tough nut to crack, and if you want to crack it, you have to make a big move there, ” he says, “Now we can own Thursdays.”
About moving Fringe to Friday’s, Fox entertainment president Kevin Reilly says, “Fringe has a very particular, loyal audience. If (Fringe) could stay near the current levels, we’ll get a big trade-up on Friday and will solve our problem there.”
More schedule deets after the jump
Additional deets via Hollywood Reporter
Wednesday, Jan. 19:
8:00-10:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL (Two-Hour Season Premiere, Part One)
Wednesdays, beginning Jan. 26:
8:00-9:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL
9:00-10:00 PM HUMAN TARGET (All-New Episodes)
Wednesdays, beginning Feb. 16:
8:00-10:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL (Two-Hour Episodes)
Wednesdays, beginning April 6:
8:00-9:30 PM AMERICAN IDOL (90-Minute Episodes)
9:30-10:00 PM BREAKING IN (Series Premiere)
Thursdays, beginning Jan. 20:
8:00-9:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL (Season Premiere, Part Two)
9:00-10:00 PM BONES (Time Period Premiere)
