| The Fox Network television history has not all been | | | | on its way to being recognised as a top network |
| plain sailing. It was launched in October 1986 after the | | | | broadcaster, its ranking with the other big three was |
| parent company of 20th Century Fox, TCF Holdings, | | | | still elusive. |
| sold 50% of its shares to News Corporation for $250 | | | | This all changed in 1993 when Fox gained the National |
| million in 1985. New Corporation then bought six | | | | Football League coverage contract. Until then this had |
| television stations in various major cities from | | | | been the rights of CBS, where it had found its home |
| Metromedia. At this time, the stations that they bought | | | | since the 1950s. After just one season of the NFL |
| were broadcastings to just 22% of households in the | | | | coverage, Fox had to be considered alongside CBS, |
| United States. Once they started broadcasting as Fox | | | | ABC and NBC... the big three had become the big four. |
| in 1986 there were reaching 80%. This however, was | | | | Around the same time, Fox started to broadcast |
| not enough to be considered alongside the other three | | | | some soap operas aimed at the younger audience |
| main networks of ABC, CBS and NBC who were | | | | and these were popular from the outset. Shows such |
| reaching over 97%. Fox was still in its infancy at this | | | | as 'Beverly Hills 90210' and 'Melrose Place' were an |
| point and although it had many plans in the pipeline it | | | | important part of the Fox network but even they were |
| was only broadcasting one show - The Late Show | | | | beaten on viewing figures by 'The X-Files'. This was |
| Starring Joan Rivers. | | | | the networks entrance ticket to the Top 25 in the |
| The network was seen to have a young and slightly | | | | Nielson rating schedule. |
| irreverent outlook in its programming and was soon | | | | Since then, Fox Network television history has given us |
| broadcasting shows such as 'Married... with Children' | | | | such shows as 'Family Guy', 'King of the Hill' and many |
| and 'The Tracey Ullman Show'. It was not long before | | | | reality shows such as 'Joe Millionaire'. Such shows are |
| 'The Simpsons' was born and this went on to be the | | | | not popular with everyone and some have knocked |
| longest running animated series and situation comedy | | | | the network for broadcasting distasteful viewing. |
| in the history of U.S. television. Fox Network television | | | | However, the finale of the first series of 'Joe Millionaire' |
| history was being made. | | | | was watched by over 40 million people. The figures |
| 'America's Most Wanted' was the next big success | | | | speak for themselves. Fox has always been an |
| story in Fox Network television history and was the | | | | entertainment channel. It has never faired well with |
| first show to make it into the top 50 shows of the | | | | news reporting but has found its own niche where it |
| week in the all important Nielson ratings. The show is | | | | entertains and brightens up the lives of millions of |
| still among the prime time hits. Although Fox was well | | | | viewers throughout the United States. |