FX Networks

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This article is about the Walt Disney Company. For the namesake television channel, see FX (TV channel).
FX Networks, LLC.
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryEntertainment
Founded1997; 25 years ago (1997)
HeadquartersFox Studio Lot Building 103, 4th Floor, 10201 W. Pico Boulevard,
Century City, Los Angeles, California
,
United States
Area served
United States
Key people
  • John Landgraf (Chairman)
  • Chuck Saftler (President/COO)
  • Nicholas Grad (Co-President/Original Programming)
  • Chris Antola (Senior VP/Programming)
Products
OwnerThe Walt Disney Company
ParentDisney General Entertainment Content
Divisions
Websitewww.fxnetworks.com

FX Networks, LLC, also referred to as FX Networks and FX Productions, is a company consisting of a network of cable channels plus a production company and a subsidiary of the Disney General Entertainment Content segment of The Walt Disney Company. Originally a part of 21st Century Fox, the company was acquired by The Walt Disney Company on March 20, 2019.[1] Consequently, FX Networks was integrated into the newly renamed Walt Disney Television unit.[2]

History[]

Fox Broadcasting started up its fX unit by November 1993[3] under president Anne Sweeney[4] Chuck Saftler was hired in November 1993. Coming from KTLA TV station, Mark Sonnenberg was recruited as first head of programming.[3] On June 1, 1994, the fX cable channel premiered.[3] Early the next month, Fox Broadcasting chair Lucie Salhany and fX was then transferred in a reorganization soon thereafter under Fox Television chair and CEO Chase Carey.[4]

In mid-July 1994, a movie sister channel was announced under the working name of The Fox Movie Studio, also under Sweeney under the title of president of fX and Fox Movie Studio, to start airing in the fall.[4] FX Networks launched the Fox Movie Studio on October 31, 1994, as fXM: Movies from Fox.[5] fXM: Movies from Fox on March 1, 2000, was renamed Fox Movie Channel.[6] Sweeney left for Disney in February 1996. She was replaced by Sonnenberg, who remained until 1998. Peter Liguori was appointed to replace him.[3]

The FX289 channel for UK and Ireland launched in January 2004 then rebranded as FX as it moved in the Sky EPG in April 2005.[7] The channel was rebranded as Fox on 11 January 2013.[8]

John Landgraf joined as president of entertainment in 2004 then promoted in 2005 to president and general manager of FX Networks. In that span, FX's original series increased to two to 11, which was a factor in starting an in-house production company.[9]

In August 2007, FX Productions was formed to take stakes in FX programming.[10] FX acquired a number of non-Fox films for the channels. Landgraf was elevated to CEO of FX Networks and FX Productions in June 2013 while taking charge of FXNow digital video-on-demand platform.[9] On March 28, 2013, FX president John Landgraf announced their upcoming launch of a new channel, FXX. Landgraf described the channel as "slightly more comedy focused" and aimed at younger audiences 18-34 compared with FX's programming and viewers aged 25–54, respectively. The channel was launched alongside the new tagline, "Fearless", that was implemented during 2013 across the channels of FX Networks. These announcements were part of FX Networks' plans to further distinguish itself from the "sameness" of free-to-air television and its "endless imitators" on subscription TV.[11] Also that month, Fox Movie Channel changed its name back to FXM.[9]

In June 2017, the 101-year-old actress Olivia de Havilland filed a lawsuit against FX Networks and producer Ryan Murphy for inaccurately portraying her and using her likeness without permission. On March 26, 2018, a California appeals court threw out the lawsuit on First Amendment grounds.[12]

Expanding from the FX-BBC co-production of Taboo, in October 2018 FX agreed to give the BBC UK rights to all future and select current FX original scripted shows.[13]

On December 14, 2017, The Walt Disney Company announced that it would acquire 21st Century Fox, including FX Networks, LLC.[2] The acquisition was completed on March 20, 2019.[14] In a September 2018 interview with Variety of the Disney-Fox deal, Landgraf said, "I think this is a necessary step. I have curiosity and a bit of anxiety about how it will work, but I'm really excited about it.[15]

In 2017, Comcast launched FX+; the service was shut down on August 20, 2019,[16] with four shows shifting premieres to Hulu.[17] FX programming was moved to Hulu as "FX on Hulu" on March 2, 2020, with a limited number of shows.[18]

Networks[]

FX[]

Main article: FX (TV channel)
FX International logo.svg

FX, originally stylized as "fX", launched on June 1, 1994.[19] The network's original programming aspires to the standards of premium cable channels in regard to mature themes and content, high-quality writing, directing and acting. FX also carries reruns of theatrical films and terrestrial-network sitcoms. The network broadcast from a large "apartment" in Manhattan's Flatiron District. fX was one of the first forays into large-scale interactive television. The channel centered on original programming, which was broadcast live every day from the "fX Apartment," and rebroadcasts of classic television shows from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, such as Batman, Wonder Woman, Eight Is Enough, Nanny and the Professor and The Green Hornet.[19] fX had two taglines during this period: "TV Made Fresh Daily" and "The World's First Living Television Network".[20] The "f" in the channel's name and logo was rendered in lower-case to portray a type of relaxed friendliness; the stylized "X" represented the channel's roots: the crossing searchlights of the 20th Century Fox logo.

The channel prided itself on its interactivity with viewers. fX, in 1994, was an early adopter of the internet, embracing e-mail and the World Wide Web as methods of feedback. Most of the shows would feature instant responses to e-mailed questions, and one show, Backchat (hosted by Jeff Probst), was exclusively devoted to responding to viewer mail, whether sent through e-mail or traditional postal mail.

FX Movie Channel[]

Main article: FX Movie Channel
FXM Logo.svg

FX Movie Channel (or FXM) launched on October 31, 1994, as FXM: Movies from Fox (prior to its launch, the channel was originally named "Fox Movie Studio")[4] Originally launched as a spinoff of FX, the channel focused on feature films from the 20th Century Fox film library from the 1930s to the 1970s along with a few other film studios.[5] FXM became a separately branded channel on March 1, 2000, when it was renamed Fox Movie Channel.[6]

On January 1, 2012, Fox Movie Channel's programming was divided into two 12-hour blocks: its main programming schedule, from 3:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, was a commercial-free block retaining the older movies from the 20th Century Fox library. Another block, called FX Movie Channel, the other 12 hours consisted of an expanded slate of more recent feature films from Fox and some of the other film studios.[21]

On March 27, 2013, Fox Entertainment Group announced that Fox Movie Channel would be fully rebranded under the FXM name and format.[22] FX Movie Channel became the primary brand for the channel in September 2013;[9] the classic film block retained the Fox Movie Channel name until June 9, 2014, when the block (which retains a commercial-free format) was renamed FXM Retro.

FXX[]

Main article: FXX
FXX Logo.svg

Aimed at young men in the 18-34 age range, FXX is a pay television channel that launched on September 2, 2013, replacing the sports-oriented Fox Soccer;[23][24] FXX is a general entertainment channel that primarily focuses on comedies (whereas FX focuses primarily on drama series and films, although FX and FXX do not maintain the same genre-exclusive format as TBS and TNT as FX continues to carry sitcoms and comedic films, while FXX carries a limited selection of dramatic series and films); its programming includes original and acquired comedy series, some feature films and drama series.

With the launch of the channel, first-run episodes of some of FX's original comedy series (such as It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell) were shifted over to FXX. At its launch, most providers that have agreements to carry FXX have placed the channel in extra-cost sports packages (despite being a general entertainment service) as an artifact of carriage deals with the previous holder of FXX's channel space, Fox Soccer; this has been resolved over time, with FX and FXX being located next to each other on some channel lineups.

FXNOW[]

FXNOW is a website for desktop computers, as well as an application for smartphones and tablet computers, along with Windows 10. It allows subscribers of participating pay television providers (such as Time Warner Cable and Comcast Xfinity) numerous viewing options:

  • individual episodes of FX and FXX's original series (which are made available the morning after their original airdate[25]),
  • acquired series (most notably, the 552-episode catalog of the first 25 seasons of The Simpsons, which was added on August 21, 2014, as part of FXX's acquisition of subscription syndication rights to the series, but has since been moved over to the Disney+ streaming service), and feature films (with an initial library of 165 film titles, which increased to more than 200 titles beginning in 2015),[26][27]
  • Additional content includes behind-the-scenes features on computers and mobile devices via their TV Everywhere login provided by their subscription provider.
  • The ability to watch Fox programming along was introduced in 2018, along with FX/FXX programming being added to the FOXNOW app, this feature was removed in March 2019, due to Disney acquiring FX Networks.

Launched in January 2014, the service is also available through iOS, Android, Samsung and Windows 8 (later Windows 10) devices, Xbox One and Xbox 360, and the Roku streaming player.[28][29] Although the service is available for free to subscribers of participating subscription TV providers, shows available for streaming on FXNOW feature commercial interruption.[27]

FX+[]

In September 2018, Fox officially launched FX+, a streaming service featuring all FX and FXX original series from The Shield to the present day ad-free. Initially, the service was made available in the United States exclusively for Xfinity subscribers in the fall of 2017. Xfinity, Armstrong and Cox subscribers have access to FX+ direct through their set-top boxes via those providers' video on demand platforms, in addition to the streaming options. In July 2019, it was announced on the service's website that it would cease being available on August 21, 2019, as a result of The Walt Disney Company's near-full acquisition of Hulu and move of FX content to that service; its ad-free model would otherwise be effectively duplicative with Hulu's commercial-free plan.[16]

FX on Hulu[]

Main article: FX on Hulu
FX on Hulu logo.svg

FX on Hulu, a dedicated streaming hub for FX Networks, launched on March 2, 2020. In addition to the vast majority of FX's original programming and next-day streaming of current FX series, FX would produce new original series specifically for Hulu.[18] Hulu is majority-owned by Disney, the parent company of FX.

In November 2019, four shows were moved from Hulu: Devs, Mrs. America, A Teacher and The Old Man.[17] As part of the "first phase" from March 2–7, 2020, FX on Hulu rolled out with 40 current and library shows with four original shows premiering on FX before being made available on Hulu the next day. Phase two began on April 15 with Mrs. America premiering along with two other originals shows and a documentary series.[18]

FX Entertainment[]

FX Entertainment is the division of FX Networks that oversees original programming under the FX brand, including FX Productions. It was formed in May 2019 as part of FX Networks' executive restructuring following acquisition by Disney.[30] On June 10, 2019, Disney announced that both FX Entertainment and Disney Television Studios would share the same casting division.[31]

FX Productions[]

Main article: FX Productions
FXP logo.svg

FX Productions (FXP) is FX Networks' in-house production company. The studio currently produces series for FX, FXX, and FX on Hulu, as well as TBS (Miracle Workers). In the past, they have also made series for Amazon Prime Video (One Mississippi) and Fox (The Cool Kids).

References[]

  1. ^ Lakritz, Talia (28 January 2020). "14 companies you didn't realize Disney owns". Insider. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  2. ^ a b Goldman, David (December 14, 2017). "Disney buys 21st Century Fox: Who gets what". CNN Money. Archived from the original on December 14, 2017. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d Littleton, Cynthia (June 11, 2019). "Why Management Stability Has Been the Key to FX's Success". Variety. Archived from the original on July 31, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d Katz, Richard (July 11, 1994). "fX the sequel: Fox Movie Studio coming soon". Multichannel News. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  5. ^ a b Katz, Richard (October 3, 1994). "Fox flicks: second fX net sets program model". Multichannel News. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  6. ^ a b Dempsey, John (February 18, 2000). "Fixes for Fox web". Variety. Archived from the original on July 31, 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  7. ^ Jay, Alan (14 April 2005). "FX moves EPG positions on Sky". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  8. ^ Martinovic, Paul (11 January 2013). "FX becomes FOX: New promo video, idents released". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  9. ^ a b c d Weisman, Jon (June 4, 2013). "FX Promotes John Landgraf to CEO". Variety. Archived from the original on July 31, 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  10. ^ Zeitchik, Steven (August 8, 2007). "FX introduces FX Productions". Archived from the original on July 31, 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  11. ^ Guthrie, Marisa (March 28, 2013). "FX Announces New Network to Launch in September". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 24, 2017. Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  12. ^ "Olivia de Havilland sues over TV show". BBC News. 2017-07-01. Archived from the original on August 4, 2018. Retrieved 2018-03-28.
  13. ^ Espinoza, Russ (October 31, 2018). "FX To Bring More Original Series Across The Pond In Content Deal With BBC". Forbes. Archived from the original on June 19, 2019. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  14. ^ Szalai, Georg; Bond, Paul (March 20, 2019). "Disney Closes $71.3 Billion Fox Deal, Creating Global Content Powerhouse". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 20, 2019. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  15. ^ Holloway, Daniel (6 September 2018). "FX CEO John Landgraf Anticipates Brand's Future Role as Part of Disney". Variety. Archived from the original on June 27, 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  16. ^ a b Hayes, Dade (July 12, 2019). "Disney Unplugs FX Plus Subscription Service After Fox Merger, Hulu Consolidation". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 12, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  17. ^ a b Littleton, Cynthia (November 7, 2019). "FX to Produce Original Series for Hulu as Brands Become More Closely Intertwined". Variety. Archived from the original on April 9, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
  18. ^ a b c Low, Elaine (January 9, 2020). "John Landgraf: FX Has 'Hit a Ceiling,' Hulu Will Fortify Brand". Variety. Archived from the original on March 16, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
  19. ^ a b Manuel, Mendoza (June 1, 1994). "FX IS READY TO INTERFACE". Daily Press. Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  20. ^ "Street Cred". Wired. January 4, 2009. Archived from the original on July 19, 2009. Retrieved July 28, 2011.
  21. ^ Morabito, Andrea (September 19, 2011). "Exclusive: Fox Movie Channel to Rebrand With 'FXM' Block". Broadcasting & Cable. Archived from the original on June 19, 2019. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  22. ^ "FX-FXX-FXM Press Release" (PDF). News Corp. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  23. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 28, 2013). "FX Officially Unveils FXX Channel To Launch In September, New Branding Campaign". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 29, 2013. Retrieved March 28, 2013.
  24. ^ "Fox Soccer to relaunch as FXX". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  25. ^ Anderton, Ethan (April 14, 2014). "FX Creates New FXX Channel & FXNOW Video On Demand Platform". ScreenRant. Archived from the original on July 31, 2020. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  26. ^ Michael O'Connell (2014-01-14). "FX Networks Starts Rolling Out Streaming App FXNOW". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  27. ^ a b Maane Khatchatourian & Andrew Wallenstein. "FX Networks to Launch App That Could Counter Netflix". Variety. Archived from the original on June 20, 2017. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
  28. ^ Christina Warren (January 16, 2014). "FXNow Streaming iOS App Launches Ahead of 'Simpsons' Release". Archived from the original on May 7, 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  29. ^ Juliana J. Bolden (January 14, 2014). "All 24 Seasons of 'The Simpsons' to Go Mobile on FXNOW; Fans of Sons of Anarchy, American Horror Story and more will watch their FX/FXX favourites anytime, anywhere on FXNOW. Multiplatform app also aims to be the exclusive, ultimate destination for all things Simpsons". Emmys.com. Archived from the original on September 21, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  30. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 31, 2019). "FX Exec Restructuring: Eric Schrier Upped To Entertainment President, Gina Balian Named Original Programming President Alongside Nick Grad". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 30, 2019. Retrieved June 22, 2019.
  31. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (June 10, 2019). "Sharon Klein Named Head Of Casting For Disney Television Studios & FX Entertainment". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 22, 2019. Retrieved June 22, 2019.

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