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"EMPIRE" RENEWED FOR A THIRD SEASON

Broadcast TV's No. 1 Series Returns with All-New Episodes Wednesday, March 30

FOX has renewed the blockbuster drama EMPIRE for a third season, it was announced today by Gary Newman and Dana Walden, Chairmen and CEOs, Fox Television Group.

With 35 nominations, EMPIRE is the most-nominated television series this season, and recently was named a Top 10 Television Program of the Year by the American Film Institute. It was the only broadcast series to earn a Golden Globe Award nomination this year in the category of Best Television Series - Drama. Additionally, Taraji P. Henson won the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama. The series also earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media.

Having taken TV audiences by storm in its record-setting first season, EMPIRE returned this season as the No. 1 series on broadcast television among Adults 18-49, averaging 7.3/23 in Live+7 ratings, and 21.2 million viewers across multiple platforms. The series also is the most tweeted-about scripted program on broadcast television on Twitter.

Cookie, Lucious and the entire Lyon family return with a vengeance when the series airs its Season Two spring premiere Wednesday, March 30 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

EMPIRE stars Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson, Jussie Smollett, Bryshere "Yazz" Gray, Trai Byers, Grace Gealey, Kaitlin Doubleday, Gabourey Sidibe, Ta'Rhonda Jones and Serayah McNeill. In addition to the regular cast, the series has featured guest appearances by a wide range of talented performers, including Chris Rock, Alicia Keys, Marisa Tomei, Naomi Campbell, Ludacris, Adam Rodriguez, Vivica A. Fox, Rosie O' Donnell and Andre Royo.

From Imagine Television in association with 20th Century Fox Television, the series was created by Academy Award nominee Lee Daniels and Emmy Award winner Danny Strong, and is executive-produced by Daniels, Strong, Academy Award- and Emmy Award-winning producer Brian Grazer, Ilene Chaiken and Francie Calfo. "Like" EMPIRE on Facebook at facebook.com/EmpireFOX. Follow the series on Twitter @EmpireFOX and join the discussion using #Empire. See photos and videos on Instagram by following @EmpireFOX.