Foxnet
Country | United States |
---|---|
Broadcast area | Nationwide (available mainly in smaller television markets) |
Network | Fox |
Headquarters | Los Angeles, California |
Programming | |
Language(s) | English |
Picture format | 480i (SDTV) |
Ownership | |
Owner | Fox Corporation |
Parent | Fox Entertainment |
History | |
Launched | June 6, 1991 |
Foxnet is an American
In addition to carrying Fox's prime time and sports programming, as well as its children's programming blocks, Foxnet also carries syndicated and brokered programs outside of network programming time periods. Fox handled programming, advertising, and promotional services for Foxnet at its corporate headquarters on Pico Boulevard in Los Angeles.
History
Background
At the time of the service's launch in 1991, Fox's programming reached only 91.75% of all U.S. households with at least one television set. This was because, around the time of the network's launch in October 1986, most large and mid-sized markets were served by at least four commercial
Many smaller markets were served by three or fewer commercial stations, most of which were already affiliated with at least one of the existing major broadcast networks, leaving Fox's only options to reach these areas being to either settle for a secondary affiliation with one of the major network stations (which would have forced Fox programs to air in off-peak timeslots subject to lower viewership), going with a station owned by a religious broadcaster which could block portions of their schedule based on moral concerns (and been the cause of Fox terminating several affiliations in its early days), or affiliate with a spare
Development and launch
On September 6, 1990, Fox reached an agreement with Tele-Communications Inc. – at the time, the nation's largest cable operator – in which TCI systems in certain markets would become charter affiliates of a cable-only version of the network, breaking the traditional method of broadcast networks offering their programming to over-the-air television stations that distribute content to local cable systems. John C. Malone, then the chief executive officer of TCI, referred to the agreement as "precedent setting" since it allowed TCI systems to obtain "network affiliate status" in places where Fox programming was not available.[2][3] When it launched, Fox charged smaller cable providers that agreed to carry Foxnet a flat annual carriage fee of $100, instead of the monthly fees traditionally charged by other broadcast and cable channels; in turn, TCI agreed to pay Fox a subscriber fee of 6¢ per month, a precursor to the reverse compensation revenue model that Fox and other broadcast networks would adopt for their conventional stations by the early 2000s.[2][4]
Foxnet launched on June 6, 1991, originally maintaining an 18-hour daily schedule (from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
As Fox expanded its presence to most television markets through primary affiliations with full-power or low-power broadcast television stations (the latter now more well-associated under the ownership of other full-power stations and refusing the low-quality networks and paid programming prevalent in the early low-power era), and by the mid-2000s, carriage on
From October 2001 to April 2003, most Fox programming in the state of Maine was only available via Foxnet, as WPXT (which served as the network's Portland affiliate) disaffiliated from the network to join The WB; that station had been carried by cable providers in Bangor since the network's launch. When WPFO and WFVX-LD affiliated with Fox, Foxnet was relegated to the Presque Isle area, which was one of the last few areas to not have a Fox affiliate of its own. A similar situation happened in southwestern Mississippi when WDBD initially disaffiliated from the network at that time also to join The WB; WDBD would eventually reaffiliate with the network in 2006, taking the affiliation from WUFX (which signed on in September 2003, now WLOO).
Discontinuation
As time went on, more local or adjacent-market Fox affiliates became available over-the-air or on cable in smaller markets. Eventually, Foxnet's national coverage was reduced to the level where it was only carried on a few small cable systems, none of which had more than 1,000 subscribers. As such, it no longer made economic sense for the service to remain on the air. It was for this reason that Fox's then-owner News Corporation (whose entertainment assets were largely spun off into 21st Century Fox in July 2013) made the decision to discontinue Foxnet. The service officially shut down on September 12, 2006; it was originally slated to cease operations two weeks earlier on September 1, but the shutdown was delayed in order to allow ABC affiliate WABG-TV (channel 6) in Greenwood, Mississippi and CBS affiliate WAGM-TV (channel 8) in Presque Isle time to quickly launch Fox affiliates on their second digital subchannels.
Because of Foxnet's shutdown, 13,000 cable subscribers nationwide were estimated to have lost access to Fox network programming. By this time, the network's market share had increased to 98.97% of all U.S. television households. Indeed, network executives had been looking forward to the point that its national penetration had increased to the level that Foxnet would no longer be needed.[6][Note 1]
The concept and programming strategy behind Foxnet served as the basis for The WB 100+ Station Group, a service owned by Time Warner and Tribune that operated from September 1998 to September 2006 – which was succeeded by The CW Plus, once The WB and UPN were shut down and replaced by The CW in September 2006 – for markets that did not have a WB-affiliated station; though unlike Foxnet, The WB 100+ – which was also co-founded by Kellner – was stylized (to an extent) similarly to an over-the-air broadcast station and local operators were allowed to tailor the service to their individual market with their own branding, with some of the outlets even carrying local news or sports programming. Foxnet, meanwhile, was formatted in the manner of a traditional cable channel with no local programming content provided by its carriers.
2017-present: Partial revival with Hulu and as emergency backup service
In May 2017, the video streaming service
After the landfall of Hurricane Laura in August 2020, the Fox affiliate for Lake Charles, Louisiana, KVHP, was taken off the air as its studio facility (shared with fellow Gray Television NBC affiliate KPLC) took damage caused by the toppling of the studio transmitter link tower into the studio building. Fox then fed their default national feed meant for streaming use to local cable providers until KVHP resumed full operations at the end of 2020.
Programming
Foxnet airs the Fox network's primetime schedule and its children's programming blocks (originally
Otherwise, a dual programming model was utilized for Foxnet that differed from the traditional affiliate model – in which the local station handled responsibilities for acquiring and scheduling syndicated and local programming to fill timeslots not occupied by network content – that is used by Fox stations in large and medium-sized markets. Fox maintained responsibility over the programming of timeslots within Foxnet's schedule that were not occupied by Fox network programming, absolving the local cable provider of the duty of having to acquire syndicated programming to fill timeslots outside of Fox's network schedule. The acquired programs primarily consisted of shows that were airing at the time in national syndication and classic television series; syndicated
Foxnet is designed for the
Foxnet carried one original program,
Dramas
- Action Pack (1994–2001) (excluding Jack of All Trades and Cleopatra 2525)
- The Adventures of Sinbad (1996–97)
- Alias Smith and Jones (1993–96)
- Automan (1991–92)
- Bat Masterson (2003–05)
- Baywatch (1995–2001)
- Baywatch Nights (1995–96)
- Beverly Hills, 90210 (1994–98)
- Beyond Reality (1995–96)
- The Big Valley (2002–03)
- Black Sheep Squadron(1993–94)
- Blue Light (1991)
- Bracken's World (1991–92)
- Breaking Away (1991–92)
- Cade's County (1991–93)
- Cagney & Lacey (2003–05)
- Catwalk (1992–93)
- Code 3 (1993)
- Conan the Adventurer (1997–98)
- The Crow: Stairway to Heaven (1998–99)
- Custer (1991–93)
- The Fall Guy (2002–06)
- Fame (2003–04)
- Felony Squad(1991–92)
- Flipper (1995–96)
- F/X: The Series (1996–97)
- Half Nelson (1991)
- Heart of the City (1992)
- Heaven Help Us (1994–95)
- The High Chaparral (1992–93)
- Highlander: The Series (1992–98)
- The Hitchhiker (1995–97)
- I Spy (1998–2000)
- The Invisible Man (2001–04)
- It Takes a Thief (1993–94)
- James at 15 (1991–92)
- Judd, for the Defense (1991–92)
- Knight Rider (2002–03)
- Kojak(2003–06)
- Leg Work (1992)
- The Love Boat (1992–99)
- Manimal (1991–92)
- M.A.N.T.I.S. (2003–04)
- Maximum Exposure (2000–02)
- Movin' On (1991)
- One West Waikiki (1995–96)
- The Outer Limits (2001–05)
- Outlaws (1992–94)
- Pensacola: Wings of Gold (1997–2000)
- Peyton Place (1991–95)
- PSI Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal(1998–99)
- Queen of Swords (2000–01)
- Quincy M.E.(2002–06)
- Relic Hunter (2001–02)
- Remington Steele (2004–06)
- Renegade (1995–96)
- Return of the Saint (1993)
- Robin's Hoods (1994–95)
- The Saint (1992–93)
- Secret Agent (1992)
- She Spies (2003–05)
- Simon & Simon (1993–95)
- St. Elsewhere (2005–06)
- Stargate SG-1 (2001–05)
- Strike Force (1991)
- Switch (1994–95)
- Tales from the Crypt (1994–97)
- Tarzan: The Epic Adventures (1996–97)
- Trapper John, M.D. (2002–03)
- University Hospital(1995)
- The Virginian (1993–95; 2003–04)
- The Wizard (1991–92)
Comedies
- The Addams Family (2004–05)
- The Ann Sothern Show (1991–92)
- The Bob Newhart Show (2004–06)
- Boy Meets World (1998–2000)
- California Dreams (1993–95; 1996–98)
- Charlie & Co. (1991–92)
- Doogie Howser, M.D. (1996)
- Eye for an Eye (2005–06)
- The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1992)
- Green Acres (2003–05)
- Have Faith (1991)
- HBO Comedy Showcase (1994–99)
- Home Improvement (1998–2001)
- Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show (1997–2000)
- House Calls (1993–96)
- How to Marry a Millionaire (1992–94)
- Karen (1991–92)
- In Living Color (1993)
- The Mary Tyler Moore Show (2004–06)
- Mister Ed (2003–05)
- The Munsters (1993)
- The Munsters Today (1993–95)
- My World and Welcome to It (1992–94)
- The Mystery Science Theater Hour (1995–96)
- Night Stand with Dick Dietrick (1995–97)
- Northern Exposure (1995–96)
- Pursuit of Happiness(1991–92)
- Roll Out (1991)
- Susie (1991–92)
- Super Dave (1994–95)
- The Simpsons (1997–2001)
- Throb (1992–93)
- Unhappily Ever After (1999–2000)
- Working Girl (1991–92)
Reality/other
- Access Hollywood (1996–99)
- America's Country Connection (1993–94)
- America's Dumbest Criminals (1996–98)
- America's Most Wanted (1992–95)
- The American Athlete (1998–2003)
- American Gladiators (1995–96; 2003–04)
- Blind Date (1999–2006)
- Club Golf (1992–95)
- COPS(1996–2002)
- Court TV: Inside America's Courts (1996–97)
- Crossing Over with John Edward(2001–04)
- A Current Affair (1996)
- A Current Affair Extra (1995–96)
- Divorce Court (1994–95; 1999–2002; 2005–06)
- Emergency Call (1993–96)
- Entertainers (1994–96)
- The Extremists (1997)
- Fox Report (1999–2006)
- The Gayle King Show (1997–98)
- Global Wrestling Federation (1991–93)
- Golf Magazine TV (1999–2001)
- The Gordon Elliott Show (1996–97)
- Home Team (1997)
- Home Videos of the Stars (1993–94)
- House Calls (2000–01; 2005)
- Infatuation (1992–94)
- Jane Goodall and the World of Animal Behavior (1992)
- JBTV (1992–94)
- The Jerry Springer Show (1999–2006)
- Judge Joe Brown (1998–2002)
- Judge Judy (1996–2002)
- The Keenen Ivory Wayans Show (1997–98)
- LAPD: Life on the Beat (2001–05)
- Lauren Hutton and... (1995–96)
- Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous (1993–95)
- Love Connection (1994)
- Lover or Loser (2000)
- The Magic Hour (1998)
- The Mark Walberg Show (1995–96)
- Martha Stewart Living (1997–2001)
- Match Game (1998–99)
- Maury(1998–2006)
- Motown Live (1999–2000)
- Mounties: True Stories of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (1998–2000)
- Pictionary (1997–98)
- Planet X Television (1997–98)
- Power of Attorney (2000–04)
- Prime Suspect(1993–94)
- Raceline (2003–06)
- Real Stories of the Highway Patrol (1993–98)
- Runaway with the Rich and Famous (1993–94)
- Sally (1999–2002)
- Sex Wars (2002–03)
- Shirley (1994–95)
- Siskel & Ebert & the Movies/At the Movies with Ebert and Roeper (1997–2003)
- Sports Waves (1994–95)
- The Spud Goodman Show (1996–98)
- Starting Over (2005–06)
- Strange Universe (1996–98)
- Talk About Money (1993–95)
- Top Cops (1994–96)
- Uptown Comedy Club (1992–94)
- U.S. Customs: Classified (1995–96)
- WCW Main Event (1994)
- WCW Pro (1991–94)
- WCW WorldWide (1993)
- The Whoopi Goldberg Show (1993)
- WWF Jakked(1999–2000)
- WWF Metal(1999–2002)
- Your Big Break (1999–2001)
Children's programming
- Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog (1993–95)
- All Dogs Go to Heaven: The Series (1996–98)
- All New Captain Kangaroo (1997–98)
- Amazin' Adventures(1992–97)
- Animal Kingdom (1998–99)
- Animal Rescue (1998–2005)
- The Baby Huey Show (1994–96)
- BattleTech (1994–95)
- Biker Mice from Mars (1993–96)
- Captain N & The Video Game Masters (1992–93)
- Cool McCool (1992–93)
- Conan the Adventurer(1993–94)
- Creepy Crawlers (1994–96)
- Crusader Rabbit (1991–92)
- Disney's Doug(1998–99)
- Dragon Ball (1995–96)
- Dragon Ball Z (1997–98)
- Fantastic Four (1994–96)
- Flash Gordon (1996–97)
- Gadget Boy and Heather(1997)
- Hercules: The Animated Series (1998–99)
- Highlander: The Animated Series (1995–96)
- Iron Man (1994–96)
- Mighty Max (1993–96)
- Mutant League (1994–96)
- Phantom 2040 (1995–96)
- The Pink Panther(1993–94)
- Popeye (1992–93)
- Popular Mechanics for Kids (1997–99)
- Real Life 101 (2003–06)
- Reality Check (1995–96)
- Saban's Adventures of Oliver Twist (1997–98)
- Sailor Moon (1995–96)
- Saved by the Bell (1991–2000)
- Scramble (1993–94)
- Student Bodies (1997–99)
- Stunt Dawgs (1992–94)
- Sweet Valley High (1994–97)
- Tenko and the Guardians of the Magic (1995–96)
- Transformers: Generation 2 (1994–95)
- The Tribe (2005–06)
- Ultimate Choice (2003–06)
- VR Troopers (1994–96)
- Wild, Wild Web (1998–99)
- What's Up Network (1993–95)
- WMAC Masters (1995–96)
See also
- WGN America – a cable channel that originally operated as a superstation feed of WGN-TV, which broadcast programming from The WB Television Network for markets without an affiliate from January 1995 to October 1999
- The WB 100+ Station Group – a similar cable-only network for markets without an affiliate of The WB, that operated from September 1998 to September 2006
- The CW Plus – a successor of The WB 100+; most of the remaining cable-only channels and some over-the-air stations that are outlets of The CW Plus formerly served as affiliates of The WB 100+ Station Group
- Univision – American Spanish-language network that offers a national cable/satellite feed for markets without a local affiliate
- UniMás – American Spanish-language network that offers a national cable/satellite feed for markets without a local affiliate
- Telemundo – American Spanish-language network that offers a national cable/satellite feed for markets without a local affiliate
- Azteca América – American Spanish-language network that formerly offered a national cable/satellite feed for markets without a local affiliate
- Estrella TV – American Spanish-language network that offers a national cable/satellite feed for markets without a local affiliate
- CTV 2 Alberta – a similar cable-only affiliate of CTV 2 in the Canadian province of Alberta (formerly known as Access)
- CTV 2 Atlantic – a similar cable-only affiliate of CTV 2 in Atlantic Canada (formerly known as the Atlantic Satellite Network and A Atlantic)
- Citytv Saskatchewan – a similar cable-only affiliate of Citytv in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan (formerly known as the Saskatchewan Communications Network)
Notes and references
- ^ "New Fox Network Signs Up 79 TV Stations Across U.S." The New York Times. Associated Press. August 4, 1986. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
- ^ a b Lippman, John (September 7, 1990). "Fox Network Gets Cable Affiliates in Deal With TCI". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
- ^ Pierce, Scott D. (September 12, 1990). "FOX BROADCASTING CO. STRIKES A DEAL WITH CABLE TV GIANT TCI". Deseret News.
- ^ a b Wharton, Dennis (May 6, 1991). "Fox Net Ready To Get Wet With New Satellite Service". Variety. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
- ^ Lippman, John (February 28, 1992). "Fox Seeks Lucrative Romance With Cable". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
- ^ "Fox Feed Ends as Net Ups Coverage". TVWeek. Crain Communications. September 2006. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
- ^ Ramachandran, Shalini (12 June 2017). "Fox Tries to Gain Leverage Over Affiliates on Live Streaming". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- ^ Munson, Ben (12 June 2017). "Fox offering 24/7 live feed on Hulu without local affiliates' content". FierceCable. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- Fairchild Publications. Archived from the originalon April 17, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2015.