What Is 20th Century Fox Televison

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: 20th Century Fox Television was the television production division of 20th Century Fox, established in 1949 to produce content for broadcast networks; it became a major force in TV with hits like 'The Simpsons' and 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'. In 2019, it was acquired by Disney and rebranded as 20th Television.

Key Facts

Founded in 1949 as the television arm of 20th Century Fox
Produced 'The Simpsons', the longest-running American scripted primetime series
Merged into 20th Television after Disney's $71.3 billion acquisition in 2019
Created hit shows including 'Empire', 'Modern Family', and 'Bones'
Produced over 300 television series across seven decades

Overview

20th Century Fox Television was the television production division of the renowned 20th Century Fox film studio, responsible for creating and producing content for broadcast and cable networks. Established in 1949, it quickly became one of Hollywood’s most influential television studios, pioneering the shift from radio to television entertainment.

The studio produced a wide range of genres, from sitcoms and dramas to sci-fi and animated series, earning critical acclaim and commercial success. After decades of independent operation under the Fox umbrella, it was fully absorbed into Disney’s television structure following the 2019 acquisition of 21st Century Fox assets.

Founded in 1949, the studio was one of the first major film companies to expand into television production during the medium’s rapid growth.
Produced 'The Simpsons' in 1989, which became the longest-running American scripted primetime television series in history with over 35 seasons.
Developed 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' in 1997, a cult favorite that helped define 1990s teen fantasy drama and launched Sarah Michelle Gellar’s career.
Launched 'Modern Family' in 2009, a multi-camera sitcom that won 22 Emmy Awards and ran for 11 seasons on ABC.
Produced '24' in 2001, a real-time thriller starring Kiefer Sutherland that revolutionized serialized storytelling in network television.

How It Works

20th Century Fox Television operated as a content factory, developing, financing, and producing shows for networks while retaining ownership for syndication and streaming profits. The studio collaborated with writers, showrunners, and networks to bring concepts to screen through a structured development pipeline.

Development:Writers pitched ideas to the studio, which funded scripts and pilot episodes; if networks greenlit them, full seasons were produced.
Production:Episodes were filmed at Fox’s Century City studios or on location, with budgets averaging $3–6 million per episode for dramas.
Distribution:Shows aired on networks like ABC, CBS, and Fox, while the studio retained backend rights worth millions in syndication deals.
Profit Model:First-run syndication and international sales generated revenue, with hits like 'The X-Files' earning over $1 billion in residuals.
Studio Oversight:Executives managed creative and budgetary decisions, ensuring alignment with network standards and brand identity.
Post-Acquisition:After 2019, Disney rebranded the division as 20th Television, integrating it into Hulu and ABC content strategies.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how 20th Century Fox Television compared to other major studios in output, legacy, and influence:

Studio	Founded	Notable Shows	Parent Company	Current Status
20th Century Fox TV	1949	The Simpsons, Modern Family, Empire	Disney (since 2019)	Rebranded as 20th Television
CBS Studios	1952	NCIS, The Big Bang Theory	Paramount Global	Active
Warner Bros. Television	1955	Friends, The West Wing	Warner Bros. Discovery	Active
Universal Television	1960	The Office, Law & Order	NBCUniversal	Active
Sony Pictures Television	1974	Breaking Bad, Jeopardy!	Sony Group	Active

This comparison highlights 20th Century Fox Television’s pivotal role in shaping modern TV. While competitors like Warner Bros. and Universal remain independent, Fox’s absorption into Disney marks a shift toward consolidated media ownership in the streaming era.

Why It Matters

20th Century Fox Television’s legacy endures through its groundbreaking shows and influence on television storytelling. Its transition into 20th Television under Disney reflects broader industry trends toward consolidation and streaming dominance.

Launched 'Empire' in 2015, a music-driven drama that averaged over 17 million viewers in its first season, revitalizing broadcast TV ratings.
Influenced animation with 'Family Guy' and 'Bob's Burgers', proving adult-oriented cartoons could succeed beyond 'The Simpsons'.
Advanced diversity in casting, notably with 'Empire' and 'Modern Family', which featured prominent LGBTQ+ and multicultural storylines.
Generated billions in revenue from syndication, with 'The Simpsons' alone earning an estimated $15 billion since its debut.
Shaped streaming content post-acquisition, supplying Hulu and Disney+ with library and original programming.
Set industry standards for multi-camera sitcoms and serialized drama, influencing showrunners across networks and platforms.

As a cornerstone of American television history, 20th Century Fox Television helped define generations of viewers’ entertainment, leaving a lasting imprint on culture and media business models.