Fox Cancels Afternoon Kids’ Programming

News Corp.’s Fox television network will suspend its children’s programming on weekday afternoons and give the two-hour block back to its affiliated TV stations in local markets.

The 2 to 4 p.m. time period that now airs Fox Kids shows will be returned to the stations starting Dec. 31, Fox said in a statement. Fox Kids programming will still run for four hours on Saturdays.

The affiliates have complained for more than a year that weak audience ratings for Fox Kids was hurting their ability to attract advertising sales. Many stations want to use the time to air more adult-oriented programs.