With so many viewers leaving traditional cable plans behind for the affordability and choice of streaming, television networks are left looking for ways to keep people tuned in. For both FOX and NBC, that way seems to be through live musicals, reformatted and repackaged for television. Shows like "Grease: LIVE" and "The Sound of Music Live" have proven in the past that musicals can create huge social media buzz for traditional networks. Today, FOX announced the next 2 titles in its musical line-up, in an attempt to catch up with its competitor who has already announced its next 3 big shows.

'A Christmas Story' to air this December

The first show announced looks like it will also be the first to hit the airwaves, with "A Christmas Story" already setting a premiere date in December 2017.

Based on the 1983 film of the same name, the musical version of "A Christmas Story" centers around a young boy named Ralphie, growing up in 1940s mid-western America. To the great concern of those around him, all Ralphie wants for Christmas is a Red Ryder BB Gun, but instead of making any progress toward receiving his dream gift, he's constantly told, "you'll shoot your eye out, kid!"

The musical debuted in 2012 with a brief 2-month run on Broadway over the holiday season before beginning an annual touring production across the country.

It was nominated for 3 Tony Awards, including "Best Musical," and features songs written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who recently won an Academy Award for the song "City of Stars" from the film "La La Land."

'RENT' announced with a few other details

The second musical announced by FOX today is an adaptation of the 4-time Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning "RENT." No premiere date or casting information has been announced yet.

Since its Broadway premiere in 1996, the show has been translated into 25 languages for productions around the globe. Special editions for high schools and colleges have also been created, allowing artists of all ages to play characters that are seen to have made a monumental shift in the way society and the media views LGBTQ and HIV+ people.

References to "RENT" can be seen in dozens of television shows and movies, including "The Simpsons," "Family Guy," "The Office," "Bob's Burgers," "Team America: World Police," and "Deadpool."

"RENT" has been adapted and made available for home viewers twice before: in 2005, Chris Columbus directed a movie version of the original musical and a DVD/Blu-ray of a live Broadway performance was released in 2008.

Earlier this year, NBC announced its slate of upcoming Broadway-to-television shows and they will be trying their luck by adding a play to the mix. Aaron Sorkin's 1989 play "A Few Good Men" does not have an air date yet, neither does "Bye Bye Birdie." However, it has been confirmed that a live "Jesus Christ Superstar" will premiere on the network in April 2018.