Fox has announced the renewal of four more shows for the upcoming 2013-14 television season. The network had previously announced the renewal of veteran drama Bones and the competition show The X Factor. Joining the formerly renewed shows are the midseason hit The Following, and Tuesday night comedies New Girl, The Mindy Project , and Raising Hope.
The Following’s renewal comes to no surprise since it has been successful in attracting audiences week after week. The network picked up the show for another 15-episode season, sticking to a semi-cable model of a shorter season. The shorter season is most likely due to Kevin Bacon not wanting super long production. After giving the axe to new comedy Ben and Kate, what remains of the Tuesday night comedy line-up will stay intact. Though New Girl hasn’t been able to regain the great ratings of its first season, it has performed consistently well and it is quickly becoming a critical favorite.
The Mindy Project, although underwhelming in ratings, is also a show with some critical clout and regardless of some casting issues and behind the scenes drama, Fox definitely sees something of more value within the show. The renewal shows the network has faith in the general improvement of the show and audience reception. Raising Hope, while not being the ratings magnet the network would love it to be, has managed to sustain a consistent audience even with frequent scheduling changes. The show has proved itself to have a loyal following that the network should definitely value.
No word yet on Glee, which would be entering into its fifth season. Negotiations for that renewal will likely take some time; the show will surely be picked up for the upcoming season.
