For the first time in their history, the FOX network is actually poised to win the November sweeps period, according to Reuters. For the last several years, the pattern on network television has been for ABC, CBS and NBC to duke it out in the fall, only to be bowled over by American Idol and 24 on FOX come January. But the network has been making some smart moves, and utilizing those post-Idol slots to grow some of their other shows.
House capitalized on that opportunity to become one of the top shows on television, and FOX did it again with Bones, which has taken a sizable bite out of Thursday nights. Add to that the continuing strength of their Sunday "Animation Domination" block and the breakout performance of Glee this season, and the network has a lot to be excited about long before American Idol and Jack Bauer even get here.
So You Think You Can Dance has even proven itself a capable, if not stellar, performer in its first ever fall season. They also got a big break this year with a very exciting six-game World Series. The numbers tell it all. Of the four major networks, FOX is the only one to show year-to-year growth. So the little network that could is now showing the old farts how it's done. How much will the dominate February and May 2010?
Does this mean in another twenty years we'll be talking about The CW's first November sweeps victory? Yeah, maybe we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves.
