Fox has set the premiere dates for its new and returning shows this Fall.

The announcement - around a month earlier than usual - copies last year's strategy of launching most series before the official season start in mid-September.

First off the block will be the second season premiere of Prison Break on Monday, August 21. New hostage drama Vanished will also begin the same night.

Bones follows on Wednesday, August 30 alongside the series premiere of Justice while Simon Cowell's Duets begins with a two-hour premiere on Thursday, August 31.

House has its third season premiere on Tuesday, September 5 after the series premiere of new thriller Standoff.

New Thursday comedies 'Til Death and Happy Hour debut on September 7, a day ahead of the new season of Nanny 911.

Fox's Sunday lineup - The Simpsons, American Dad, Family Guy and The War At Home - returns with new instalments on September 10.

Baseball coverage is keeping back the launch of several series. The fourth season of The O.C. will begin on Thursday, November 2 and new episodes of King of the Hill are being saved for midseason.

As usual, both 24 and American Idol will premiere in January.

Of the early launches, Fox scheduling head Preston Beckman told Variety: "This is pretty much the model for how we hope to proceed in the future if baseball is part of our (schedule). And even if it isn't, this might be how we proceed."