Fox Not Planning 'Massive Layoffs'

Despite the sagging economy, Fox's television network is not planning substantial layoffs, entertainment president Kevin Reilly said at the U.S Television Critics Association Meeting on Tuesday. Reilly called Fox, a unit of News Corp, a "lean company" that cut back on management during the five-month writers strike last year, a move that has allowed it to avoid the recent layoffs and restructuring of the other networks. Last season, Fox was the most-watched U.S. TV network, largely due to strong-but-sliding ratings for "American Idol," which returned with a modified format last night. Though Fox's audience is down 9.6 percent from the same time last year, Reilly said "Idol" and "24," which also debuted this week, will help the network. "This is our high season. We are coming right into our strength," he said. [Reuters, Variety]