Less than a year into their roles as Fox TV Group chairmen, Dana Walden and Gary Newman are prepared to greet the advertising community with a schedule of their own making.
But before doing that, the pair, joined other Fox execs to make their pitch to the press. They stressed the consideration placed on ending American Idol after an upcoming 15th and final season. Walden and Newman have the benefit of juggernaut Empire along with comedy breakout Last Man on Earth to distract from another rough season, where the Number 4 network posted a 20 percent decline in the key 18-49 demo, thanks to early unscripted misfire Utopia, Idol fatigue and a sophomore slump for once promising Sleepy Hollow.
Also on offer were their thoughts about the strategic move to launch Empire in the fall and the plans for The X-Files, 24 and more.