Advertisement

Mike Rowe Joins Fox Business Primetime in New Documentary-Focused Schedule

Finance and politics aren’t the only things on the schedule at Fox Business Network.

The Fox Corp.-owned outlet, which in recent years has generated its biggest ratings for a show led by Lou Dobbs that burnished a distinctly right-leaning brand of politics, will in September stock the bulk of its primetime grid with documentary-style programming featuring hosts like Mike Rowe, country music star John Rich, Stuart Varney and Cheryl Casone. The shows will focus on people at work, real estate, and even home remodeling.

More from Variety

“We are thrilled to introduce a new engaging and inspirational primetime lineup focused on success stories across key American industries to our loyal viewers,” said Lauren Petterson, president of the network, in a prepared statement. The new schedule, known as “FBN Prime,” will debut on September 20, meaning that the cable outlet will feature more original programming in primetime, rather than relying on repeats of other shows as it has in the past.

The network intends to keep the programming it has recently put on in primetime. An opinion show anchored by Lisa “Kennedy” Montgomery will move to 7 p.m. on weekdays, while the network’s Friday-night lineup, which features Maria Bartiromo’s “Wall Street,” Gerald Baker’s “WSJ@Large” and “Barron’s Roundtable,” will remain intact.

One of Fox Business Network’s main rivals, NBCUniversal’s CNBC, has long filled its primetime grid with similar stuff, whether it be the entrepreneur-competition program “Shark Tank” or the small-business boosting program “The Profit,” which was recently renewed for an eighth cycle of episodes. But the maneuver also shows executives at Fox News Media, the unit that oversees Fox Business, looking to tap synergies. Some of the new Fox Business primetime shows have proven themselves on Fox Nation, the company’s subscription-based streaming outlet.

Mondays will feature “How America Works,” an hour-long program at 8 p.m. eastern narrated by Rowe that examines how workers toil around the clock to keep national infrastructure working. Rowe is best known, perhaps, for his time on programs such as Discovery Channel’s “Dirty Jobs.” The 9 p.m. hour that night will feature back to back showings of “American Built,” a half-hour show led by Fox Business anchor Stuart Varney. who interviews architects, engineers and historians about engineering marvels. The program originally debuted on Fox Nation.

Tuesday evening will first feature back to back episodes of “American Dream Home,” which follows families as they hunt for a perfect house. Fox Business anchor Cheryl Casone will lead the show. At 9 p.m. Kasie McDonnell, a Fox Nation host, will lead “Mansion Global,” a half hour show that explores lavish properties across the U.S. and is based on a regular Wall Street Journal feature.

Wednesdays will feature an original Fox Business series, “American Gold: The Legend of Bear Gulch.” The hour-long series will follow the Dale brothers, a family that mines 800 acres in Montana where they hope gold remains to be found. At 9 p.m. John Rich offers “The Pursuit!” a half hour series that features interviews with musicians, celebrities and entrepreneurs. The show is filmed at Rich’s house in Nashville, and originally debuted on Fox Nation.

Fox Business intends to fill Thursdays with repeats of top primetime shows from the week, featuring a different rotation of episodes between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Best of Variety

Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.