Fox Saturday Night Animation Block.

[VG_Addict]

Adding to its already impressive roster of cartoon series, FOX announced Sunday that they have just created a new unit built to deliver fresh, alternative animated content.

A brand new late-night block comprised of series, shorts and user-adapted material will begin airing on Saturdays with four new animated series per season starting January 2013. Additionally, a new digital channel will extend across the web to bring 50 original shorts per year available on platforms like mobile apps, game consoles and video on demand.

The new unit will target fans and up-and-coming talent who can work as a medium between the big boys at FOX and the viewers at home, giving the shorts a chance to develop before they become a full-fledged series on the network.

To run this new unit, FOX has inked an exclusive deal with Nick Weidenfeld, former head of program development for Adult Swim and executive producer of Childrens Hospital and The Boondocks. The network has also tapped producer Hend Baghdady (Warren The Ape, The Andy Milonakis Show) as the executive in charge of production for the new division.

"This may be the first time a network is building a clear bridge for talent to develop and grow ideas in the digital/alternative arena and organically move them into the mainstream," said Kevin Reilly, FOX President of Entertainment. "These new late-night series will be assets in their own right -- but the clear possibility exists for a breakout digital success to graduate to primetime."

Thoughts?

[DarkZero]

So in other words, pilots?

[I REALLY HATE POKEMON!]

Kinda sounds like they're letting fans do stuff. They should make it more accessible.