4Kids to End its Fox Programming Block
4Kids Entertainment announced recently that they will be ending their Saturday morning contract with FOX next month. They had originally renewed their contract with FOX to continue the 4KidsTV block through the 2008-2009 TV season, but opted to pay a fee to drop out early. But considering 4Kids has been putting most of their focus into their new CW Saturday morning block, perhaps this shouldn't come as too surprising. No word on what FOX plans to do about a replacement yet.
In 2002 when Disney bought out Saban Entertainment, they also acquired the Fox Kids block in the process. Not wanting to have their Saturday morning block controlled by a competitor, they decided to sell the block off. Ultimately 4Kids became the buyer, & the Fox Box (later renamed 4KidsTV) was born.
Relatedly, 4Kids also recently renewed their pact with the Yu-Gi-Oh franchise to last through 2015. This will allow them to hold on to Yu-Gi-Oh licensing, broadcast, & merchandise rights for at least another 7 years. Unless of course, they decide to opt out of that as well.
Press Release: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2008-11-10/4kids-entertainment-reports-third-quarter-2008-results-and-settlement-of-fox-litigation