• by Wayne Friedman , 9 hours ago

Ramping up its efforts around high-priced sports events and more unscripted programming, Fox announced two key scripted entertainment programs for its prime-time lineup during its upfront presentation.

Two new dramas for the Fox Television Network include “Baywatch”, a new version of the 90s classic TV series, and “The Interrogator,” an espionage thriller centered on a former MI6 agent. Both are scheduled to start midseason.

Currently, Fox TV Network has just one night of scripted TV programs on Tuesdays, which will continue with its two returning dramas “Best Medicine” and “Doc."

Those shows are the most-viewed non-sports entertainment TV shows on Fox, with “Best Medicine” at 4.5 million Nielsen-measured viewers through May 3 and “Doc” at 4.2 million.

Katrina Cukaj, Fox executive vice president of advertising sales and portfolio marketing, said on a press conference call that these two shows have done well with advertisers in the current season, although she did not provide specific details.

New Fox shows for this season have already inked some upfront ad deals -- and sponsorship. Cukaj says "'Baywatch' in particular has been an incredibly strong performer in the ad community.”

This includes inking a deal with Toyota Motors as its first exclusive automotive brand, she says, adding that soon Fox will announce a major deal with a beer marketer for the show.

On the unscripted front, Cukaj says, “Fear Factor: House of Fear” has performed well, especially with co-viewing/family viewing audiences.

Fox executives say they are looking to add another night of drama, but are waiting to see how adding some sports programming deals may shake out.

Currently Monday, Wednesday and Thursday are stacked with unscripted TV shows, including the high-profile “Hell’s Kitchen” on Thursday at 8 p.m.

Overall there are six unscripted hour-long shows starting the season. Some returning and new programs to start this fall include:

“Celebrity Name That Tune” (Season Six); “Celebrity Weakest Link” (Season Two); “The Floor” (Season Six); “99 to Beat” (Season Two); “Hell’s Kitchen” (Season 25); and “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test” (Season Five).

Another eight unscripted shows have been renewed scheduled for later in the season:

“Crime Scene Kitchen” (season four); “Don't Forget The Lyrics” (Season Four); “Extracted” (Season Three); “Fear Factor: House of Fear” (Season Two); “The Floor” (Season Seven); “Gordon Ramsay’s Secret Service” (Season Two); “Hell's Kitchen” (Season 26); “Kitchen Nightmares” (Season Three); “LEGO Masters” (Season Six); “The Masked Singer”(Season 15); “Next Level Baker (Season Two, Season Three); “Next Level Chef (Season Six); and “99 to Beat” (Season Two).

Sundays will consist of ending NFL afternoon game coverage in the 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM time period, followed by its usual block of animated comedies. Friday nights will again be the home of fall college football games.

This past season, Fox NFL late afternoon games averaged 24.4 million viewing, the second-strongest performer among overall broadcast TV series (three or more episodes) of the 2025-2026 season.