Fox Television Network

Fox television network is a television network based in the United States and a subsidiary of News Corporation, a part of Rupert Murdoch's group of companies. The Fox television network was launched in October 9, 1986 but groundwork began in March 1985 when News Corporation purchased 50% (for $250 million) of TCF Holdings – the mother company of 20th Century Fox movie studio. News Corporation decided to purchase the rest of the studio six months later for $325 million. By its launching date, Fox Television Network aired live on late night with the talk show "The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers". On its launching, it was broadcast to 96 stations and reached around 80% of the households nationwide.

Fox since 1986 until today
Since its launching, the Fox Television Network wanted to establish itself as a youth-oriented network. The first prime time show that started airing on April 5, 1987 on Sunday nights were two comedy programs, "Married… with Children" and a variety series "The Tracey Ullman Show". The former was about a dysfunctional family, which immediately became a hit and aired for 11 seasons. "The Tracey Ullman Show" meanwhile spawned into the longest-running animated series "The Simpsons" that first aired in 1989 up to at least the whole year of 2008.

Most of the Fox Television Network's longest-running programs first set on air a couple years after its launching. "America's Most Wanted" and "Cops" were both reality shows that served as documentaries of police officers' daily activities. As of this year, both reality shows are still being actively produced.

It was in the mid 90's that the Fox Television Network started producing soap opera dramas, which became huge hits. Shows like Beverly Hills 90210, Party of Five, and Melrose Place quickly had a huge following among younger audiences. "The X-Files" that debuted in late 1993 would become the first series of the network to break in Nielsen's year-end Top 25.

The Fox also produced other comedy series including "In Living Color", which help launch the careers of comedy superstars Jim Carrey, Damon Wayans, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Jamie Foxx, and Jennifer Lopez. Other sitcoms patronized by millions of viewers in the late 1990's were Ally Mcbeal and That 70's Show (the network's second longest-running sitcom).

Today, the Fox Television Network reaches to about 96.18% of households in the U.S. It swept the whole month of February in 2005 (one of its milestones) as a result of the broadcast of "Super Bowl XXXIX" and also because of the huge following of the talent reality show "American Idol".

Other Fox Television Network affiliates include the Fox News Channel, Fox Sports, 4Kids TV, Fox Kids, Fox Pay-Per-View, and Fox Home Entertainment. Twentieth Century Fox is also an affiliate of the television network but involves films production.