AceShowbiz -

FOX announced its mid-season schedule where a major change has been made. Instead of occupying the usual Tuesday and Wednesday slot, "American Idol" is shifted to Wednesday and Thursday because the competition has moved and "Glee" no longer needs a protection.

"We have been looking at Thursday for a long time," the network's reality chief Mike Darnell said. "It is a tough nut to crack, and if you want to crack it, you have to make a big move there." FOX was first hesitant with the move to Thursday because CBS' "Survivor" was there. But since the reality show is now on Wednesdays, "Idol" is gaining a little room for rating. "Now we can own Thursday," Darnell added.

Another contributing factor is the fact that "Glee" has become such a juggernaut for FOX that it no longer needs the lead-in from "Idol". " 'Glee' doesn't need the protection, and we also have the making of comedy block with 'Raising Hope' taking root on Tuesdays," FOX's entertainment president Kevin Reilly said.

Another move is made for "Fringe". The sci-fi series is now placed on Fridays where usually a scripted series is not going to thrive. However, Reilly is confident with the show's performance, especially when it's paired with solid performer "Kitchen Nightmares". He reasoned, "Fringe has a very particular, loyal audience."

Meanwhile, "Running Wilde" and "The Good Guys" are no longer in the picture although they are not officially canceled. Reilly confirmed that these two will not be given more episodes order. To fill the void, FOX is ready to premiere "The Chicago Code", "Breaking In", "Million Dollar Dollar Drop" and "Mixed Signals".

FOX 2011 Midseason Schedule:

Monday, Jan. 10:

• 8-10 p.m. "Lie to Me" (Two-Hour Episode)

• 8 p.m. "House M.D."
• 9 p.m. "Lie to Me"

• 8 p.m. "House M.D."
• 9 p.m. "The Chicago Code" (series premiere)

• 8 p.m. "Glee" (repeats)
• 9 p.m. "Million Dollar Money Drop" (reality show)

• 8 p.m. "Glee"
• 9 p.m. Raising Hope"
• 9 p.m. "Mixed Signals" (series premiere)

• 8 p.m. "Human Target"

• 8 p.m. "American Idol" (two-hour season premiere, part one)

• 8 p.m. "American Idol"
• 9 p.m. "Human Target"

• 8 p.m. "American Idol" (two-hour episodes)

• 8 p.m. "American Idol" (90-minute episodes)
• 9:30 p.m. "Breaking In" (series premiere)

• 8 p.m. "Million Dollar Money Drop"
• 9 p.m. "Bones"

• 8 p.m. "American Idol" (season premiere, part two)
• 9 p.m. "Bones" (time period premiere)

• 8 p.m. "Kitchen Nightmares"
• 9 p.m. "Kitchen Nightmares"

• 8 p.m. "Kitchen Nightmares"
• 9 p.m. "Fringe" (time period premiere)

• 8 p.m. "The Simpsons"
• 8 p.m. "Bob's Burgers"
• 9 p.m. "Family Guy"
• 9 p.m. "The Cleveland Show"

• 7 p.m. "The Simpsons"
• 7 p.m. "American Dad!"
• 8 p.m. "The Simpsons"
• 8 p.m "Bob's Burgers"
• 9 p.m "Family Guy"
• 9 p.m. "The Cleveland Show"

• NFC Pro Bowl (Live)

• 6:00 p.m. Super Bowl XLV (Live)
• 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 PT "Glee"