Fox to launch SVOD service FX+ with Comcast

21^st Century Fox’s US FX Networks unit has teamed up with cable giant Comcast to launch a new premium ad-free service subscription video-on-demand service for Comcast Xfinity TV subscribers.

The new service, FX+, will provide current seasons of all FX and FXX original series and every season of a number of current and catalogue titles of FX originals without adverts for US$5.99 (€5.08) a month.

The service will launch on September 5. Fox claims that the initiative will made FX Networks the first ad-supported cable networks group to offer all seasons of the majority of its original series available at once. Shows available include American Horror Story, Damages, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The League, Legion, Louie, Nip/Tuck, Rescue Me, The Shield, Sons of Anarchy and Terriers.

FX+ will provide over 1,100 series epioseds in total. The shows will be rolled out progressively, with the complete roster expected to be available next year.

FX+ subscribers will be able to access the FX+ content via Xfinity On Demand, the Xfinity Stream app and website, and FXNOW. In the future, FX+ will also offer select series in 4K as well as temporary downloads of current season episodes.

John Landgraf

“This is an exciting day for FX Networks, because it represents the next step in building a consumer experience as good as our original programming brand. We have been diligent about recapturing the in-season stacking rights for all current original programming and recapturing the rights to all seasons of a large portion of our legacy of great original series,” said John Landgraf, CEO, FX Networks and FX Productions

“Since changing the course of basic cable TV with The Shield, over the past 15 years FX amassed a roster of dramas, comedies and limited series that is unequalled in ad-supported television – and in quality and breadth has few rivals anywhere. This initiative represents the first of its kind for an ad-supported cable network, and begins to put us on equal footing with premium networks and streaming services. We appreciate our partnership with Matt Strauss and everyone at Comcast who had the vision to support the creation and launch of FX+, which adds significant value for Comcast and its subscribers.”

Matt Strauss, executive vice-president and general manager, video and entertainment services, Comcast Cable, said: “FX has built a brand known for high-quality, award-winning original content and we are pleased to partner with John Landgraf and the team at FX to offer premium experiences like FX+ to Xfinity TV customers, and explore what it means to be a network in the future,” said Strauss. “Our innovative platforms and technology enable us to collaborate with our partners to experiment with new ways to super-serve our customers, provide them with more choice and access to new content and experiences, and continue to add value to the Xfinity TV subscription.”