Fox Fall 2026 Lineup: New Animated Series ‘Animal Control’ Joins Sunday Nights; Midseason Updates for ‘Baywatch’, ‘Bob’s Burgers’, ‘Murder’, and ‘Memory Of A Killer’
Fox Reveals Fall 2026 Lineup, Emphasizing Stability with New Additions
In a clear reflection of stability, Fox has announced its fall 2026 broadcast schedule, which closely resembles its 2025 lineup. Fox Entertainment CEO Rob Wade highlighted that "90% of our slate is returning shows" during a pre-upfront call, indicating a strong commitment to established favorites. Among the few new entries are two drama series—Baywatch and The Interrogator—as well as the dating reality show Marriage Market.
A notable shift in the 2026 schedule is the inclusion of Animal Control, which will debut in the fall as part of Fox’s Animation Domination block. This marks the first time the live-action comedy will launch in the fall, removing Bob’s Burgers from the initial lineup, an absence not seen in 14 years.
Fox’s schedule appears predominantly focused on reality content and sports, featuring only one night of scripted programming outside the Sunday animation segment. The network is bringing back four drama series and many reality shows, including the perennial favorite The Masked Singer, which has transitioned to one cycle per year.
Looking Ahead
The network has set its sights on midseason, where it plans to introduce additional dramas—including the anticipated Baywatch reboot. This series will premiere in January, and while a special debut following an NFL game has not been confirmed, it remains a distinct possibility.
Fox’s EVP of Program Planning and Content Strategy, Dan Harrison, stated, “We’ve had such a strong year with six freshman renewals,” reflecting on the success of returning shows like Memory of a Killer and Best Medicine. The strategy moving forward seeks to fortify the network’s sophomore offerings while exploring opportunities for growth in scripted programming.
Insight from Leadership
Michael Thorn, President of Fox Television Network, emphasized the potential of Best Medicine, stating, “It’s a huge priority to return our sophomore shows as significantly as possible." The comedy has received a 14-episode order for its second season, an increase from the first season’s 13-episode count.
The forthcoming Doc has also solidified its spot as a mainstay, with a generous order of 22 episodes this season. This burgeoning focus on medical programming, alongside four new drama series, points to a diversified strategy aimed at capturing audience interest.
With a notable restructuring in the animated programming lineup, Fox’s other established hits—The Simpsons, Family Guy, Bob’s Burgers, and American Dad!—remain pivotal to its brand identity, although the removal of Bob’s Burgers is notable in this year’s fall schedule.
New Series and Future Plans
The new dramas Baywatch and The Interrogator are set to mark significant additions to Fox’s portfolio. The reboot of Baywatch, featuring Stephen Amell as Hobie Buchannon, aims to captivate a new generation, while The Interrogator, starring Stephen Fry, delves into the world of espionage with a fresh perspective.
In addition to these, the reality series Marriage Market invites singles to surrender control of their love lives to their families. This experimental matchmaking format aims to blend humor with the realities of arranged matchmaking.
Fox is also preparing for upcoming seasons, ordering a Highway to Heaven reboot and a Family Guy spinoff titled Stewie for 2027-28.
Wade concluded, “We feel very good about where Fox is right now,” citing a strong slate of returning hits and new offerings as pivotal to the network’s future growth and stability.
