I lost most of my respect for Fox when they prematurely canned Arrested Development -- all because their marketing team seemingly didn't know how to sell it. ::) Still, I think Fox remains probably the most cutting-edge broadcast network... though that's not saying much. Everyone knows the best TV series are virtually all now on cable.
Fox used to be the one major network that took the big risks. Every now and then we'd get a show like Lost on one of the other big networks but nowhere near as often. Though we also have to remember just how groundbreaking series like CSI and Law & Order: SVU were when they first came out with just how unflinching they're potrayal of their subject matter was. Fox used to take it a step further with shows like 24, Prison Break, Fringe and House. Almost Human was a definately a risk in itself though I doubt they would have canceled it so soon if Gotham wasn't already on the way.
Plus, lets not forget that Fox gave us FX, which was the first non premium cable network to gave us near HBO level mature shows like The Shield and Rescue Me which in turn paved the way for AMC, TNT, USA and Sci Fy to start making more of their own original programming. This of course forced HBO and the other premium channels to step up their game.
Now that's a rare legitimently good example of Capitalism actually benefiting the little guy. We've gotten a lot of great shows because of all that competition. As for the main Fox network itself however, let's hope they get massive overhaul soon cause they really don't seem to be getting it at the moment.
