NBC, Fox offer fall television plans

NEW YORK (AP) — Something was missing when Fox announced its plans for the fall television season: a schedule.

It was one of several signs of how the business has changed since networks resumed their annual glitzy presentations for advertisers, which had been suspended because of the pandemic. Both NBC and Fox, which kicked off the week Monday, emphasized how the flagship networks were now part of larger media companies.

Networks still can boast star power. Susan Sarandon, George Lopez, Raymond Lee, Camila Cabello and Trace Adkins will be featured in new contexts. Kelly Clarkson sang to open NBC'S show, and Miley Cyrus performed to end it.

The traditional presentations usually reveal what new shows are coming, what old shows are departing and when they will air

during the week and year. While fixed schedules remain they are obsolete for many viewers, who are becoming accustomed to deciding for themselves when they want to watch or stream programs.

That wasn't part of Fox's reasoning for not revealing a schedule. Fox Entertainment CEO Charles Collier said the network was trying a "new approach" to give equal weight to its Tubi streaming service.

Holding back gives Fox the flexibility to adjust its schedule depending on what competitors do. It may also have reflected Fox's unresolved talks with producers of "911" and "The Resident," but the network announced later on Monday that the dramas have been renewed for the upcoming season.

In another illustration of changing times, Bravo used its time at Monday's presentation to celebrate the upcoming Bravocon fanfest, as opposed to individual programs.