An 'Empire' Concert Series May Be in the Works
As "Empire" continues its jaw-dropping ratings dominance, Fox is considering taking the show on the road.
Entertainment Weekly reports that the network behind the music business drama is mulling a plan to launch a series of shows featuring the "Empire"'s stable of performers and original songs, similar to what it did with the "Glee" concert tour. According to Dana Walden, co-chair and co-CEO of Fox Television Group, executives are eager to cash in on "Empire"'s ratings success while keeping the show's integrity intact.
"We are thinking about what the future is of the brand," Walden told EW. "What we learned on 'Glee' and what we tried to do on 'Glee' is be very cognizant that the music business is the tail of this dog-the show is the thing. But we are certainly looking down the line. There's no reason not to think of having all sorts of ancillary opportunities with this show. We're certainly thinking about idea of doing a live concert series."
That's good news for fans who can't get enough of the drama, which stars Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson. And it seems that viewers truly can't get enough: Its audience has grown in each of its seven weeks on the air, an unheard of phenomenon in today's withering ratings landscape. (EW also reports that the show's most recent episode -- which notched 13.8 million viewers and a 5.3 rating among adults 18-49 -- was the highest-rated drama on a broadcast network since an episode of "Grey's Anatomy" in 2010.)
This plan isn't definitive just yet, but it makes sense in terms of branding, and connecting with potentially even more fans. We'd tell you to stay tuned, but judging by the above numbers, it seems like you probably already are.
[via: Entertainment Weekly]
Photo credit: Michael Lavine/FOX