TCA 2012: Fox talks about the decision to renew FRINGE for a final season

By A.C. FERRANTE / Editor in Chief

Posted: July 23rd, 2012 / 03:30 PM

Anna Torv in FRINGE - Season 4 - "Neither Here Nor There" | ©2011 Fox/Liane Hentscher

While Fox Entertainment President Kevin Reilly admits that the network has history of cancelling low-rated genre shows despite huge fan bases, he admitted today at the Fox Summer TCA Press Tour that he was pleased he was able to give FRINGE a final 13-episode Season 5 send-off.

“I don’t like to pull the plug on any show, and many of our failed shows have millions of fans,” says Reilly. “We have a checkered history with genre at best, because we’re one of the only networks who have consistently tried genre. FRINGE has a particular fan base and the FRINGE producers have provided a fantastic show. It’s done the job for us Fridays. We had a test pattern on Fridays [for years] and between KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL and FRINGE, we’ve won most Fridays [last year].”

Part of the success of FRINGE has come from the lift it gets from DVR usage.

“This year we had a 73 percent lift over our live numbers,” says Reilly. “If they don’t catch it live, they definitely catch it on the DVD.”

And Reilly, with a laugh, says it puts to rest the ghost of Comic-Con where people go, “Damn you Fox, you put shows on and break out hearts.”

“Hopefully we get a little cred for seeing one through that really deserved it,” admits Reilly.

Related: MORE NEWS AND INTERVIEWS FROM THE SUMMER TCA’S

Related:TV Review – FRINGE – Season 4 – “Brave New World – Part 2 – Season Finale

Related:TV Review – FRINGE – Season 4 – “Brave New World – Part 1”

Related:Interview with Leonard Nimoy on the Season 4 finale of FRINGE, STAR TREK 2 and Season 5

Related: Interview with FRINGE star Seth Gabel on the future of the series and the rest of Season 4

Related: FRINGE producers reveal the status of Season 5 at Wondercon 2012

Related Link:TV Review – FRINGE – Season 4 – “The Consultant”

Related Link:TV Review – FRINGE – Season 4 – “Everything In Its Right Place”