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Fox Adds Britney To Juice 'X Factor'
Fox broadcast network said Britney Spears would join 'The X Factor' as a judge next season, after a disappointing debut year for the talent show.
The network also said it has 'some creative reinvigoration' planned for its aging hit 'American Idol,' although it didn't offer details.
Fox made announcements about both shows as it unveiled next season's programming lineup on Monday at a presentation in New York. 'X Factor' star Simon Cowell appeared on stage with Ms. Spears, along with another newly named judge, singer Demi Lovato, and music producer L.A. Reid, who is staying on as a judge. The two new judges replace Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger.
'This year we are seriously going to kick butt,' Mr. Cowell said.
While the initial season of 'The X Factor' that ended last December drew a sizable audience -- an average of more than 12 million people for both its Wednesday and Thursday night broadcasts, according to Nielsen -- Mr. Cowell had said last summer 'The X Factor' would need to draw 20 million for it not to be a disappointment.
Like The Wall Street Journal, Fox is owned by News Corp.
Fox said it had ordered three new comedies for fall, reflecting a recent emphasis on the genre. 'The Mindy Project' and 'Ben and Kate' will be part of Fox's all-comedy prime-time block on Tuesday nights. Fox also will launch a comedy from the executive producers of CBS Corp.'s 'How I Met Your Mother' called 'The Goodwin Games' midway through the season.
Fox will start a midseason drama season called 'The Following,' with Kevin Bacon.
One of Fox's other long-standing hits, 'Glee,' will have some extra stars for part of next season with the addition of Kate Hudson and Sarah Jessica Parker. The show is also being moved to Thursday night from Tuesday evening at 9 p.m., following 'The X Factor.'
Separately, Peter Rice, chairman of entertainment for Fox Networks Group, voiced concern about Dish Network Corp.'s decision last week to introduce a new DVR feature that allows viewers to avoid commercials entirely for some prime-time broadcast programs. 'I do find it surprising that they're going to do that to their largest content provider,' he said, adding that Fox is 'still evaluating it.'
NBC network's Broadcasting chairman Ted Harbert said the 'Auto Hop' feature is 'an insult to our joint investment in programming.' 'I'm against it,' he told advertisers, opening NBC's presentation of its fall season program lineup.
John Jannarone
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