FS1 has experimented with various types of programming to fill time throughout the day during the network’s two-plus years of life. We’ve seen live games, radio simulcasts, studio shows, Regis Philbin, interviews, and even some documentary style features on Fox’s airwaves over the last 26 months, but on November 9th, FS1 is going in a different direction for 30 minutes per weekday.

They’ll be airing TMZ Sports at midnight on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday each week, and 12:30 on Wednesday following Garbage Time.

With the premiere of TMZ SPORTS on Monday night, Nov. 9 at 12 a.m. ET, FS1 shines a nightly Hollywood-sized spotlight on the celebrity and lifestyles of today’s athletes, sports stars of yesteryear and newsmakers who make the games we love possible. A half-hour program airing late night Monday-Friday on FS1 (12:30 a.m. ET on Wednesdays following GARBAGE TIME WITH KATIE NOLAN), TMZ SPORTS features exclusive up-to-the-minute, off-field stories and breaking news specifically focused on sports personalities making headlines around town.

I mean, I guess it fits in with FS1’s strategy after they cut resources to their news operations over the summer. Who needs details on injuries and transactions throughout the day when we can see viral videos? And hell, who really cares about an extra half hour of highlights and news each night when there’s such a huge market for gossip?

Of course, this move has Jamie Horowitz’s fingerprints all over it.

“TMZ SPORTS offers a window into the world where sport and celebrity cultures intersect — whether at a party, movie premiere or an ordinary day,” said Jamie Horowitz, President of FOX Sports National Networks. “To both avid and casual sports fans, these stories are captivating.”

Exactly what we’re looking for from a sports network.

“We’re incredibly excited to be on FS1,” TMZ Executive President Harvey Levin said. “We’re hoping our show adds a new dimension to sports coverage, and this network feels like the perfect place to park our humor, irreverence and news gathering.”

Humor! Irreverence! And hey, maybe some news too!

Remember when FS1 was “the one for fun”? That didn’t work. Then they tried being more serious. That didn’t work. Now, they’re going back for fun and irreverence.

I can’t wait until Fox reaffirms their commitment to journalism and breaking news sometime in 2016.

[Fox Sports]

About Joe Lucia

I hate your favorite team. I also sort of hate most of my favorite teams.

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