In November, Disney’s then CEO, Bob Iger, announced that beginning in March, all FX content would exclusively stream on Hulu. As a result, all seasons of the FX library, as well as current and upcoming shows, will debut on Hulu just hours after they air on linear TV.
FX on Hulu is simply another way for Disney to compete with other streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and the upcoming HBO Max and Peacock, according to Time magazine. Because Disney+ has to keep in line with the company’s family-friendly brand, they have delegated most of their mature-rated content to Hulu. And bringing FX programming to Hulu solidifies that strategy.
“The entertainment monolith’s streaming wars strategy is kind of baffling until you recall that it has diverted all of its TV-MA and R-rated titles to its other streaming platform, Hulu,” Time noted. “It’s on this front that Disney will fight Netflix and Amazon, as well as Warner Media’s HBO Max and NBCUniversal’s Peacock … With the launch of FX on Hulu, a streaming hub for both current and older titles from the cable network, those efforts seem likely to generate a whole lot more attention.”
FX will also begin producing original shows for Hulu, including four new series next year. Some of those shows include limited series “Devs,” starring Nick Offerman and “Ms. America” with Cate Blanchett, “The Old Man” with Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow as well as “A Teacher,” starring Kate Mara and Nick Robinson
In addition to carrying FX library shows, FX on Hulu will stream all original shows that air on FX and FXX the day after their network linear premieres. FX shows will follow Hulu’s model of releasing two or three episodes in the first week and then airing the rest of the episodes weekly.
“Breeders,” a new comedy, will be available on March 3 after its network debut the day before followed by “Dave,” which premieres on March 4 on FXX. FX on Hulu will see the premiere of “Devs” on March 5 as season four of “Better Things” returns to the network and “Cake” returns to FXX.
“Mrs. America” will launch on the streaming service on April 15, while “What We Do in the Shadows” returns to FX for a second season. “Fargo” will make its way back to FX for Season 4 on April 19.
News of the move came just months after the company shut down their FX+ Premium streaming service. FX+ was $5.99 a month and included 1,400 episodes of FX Originals, was ad free and provided early access to new shows before they premiere. The service included current shows from FX, FXX and FXM like “Atlanta” and “The Americans,” as well as old favorites like “Rescue Me” and “The League.”
FX on Hulu launched today and is currently available as part of Hulu’s ad-supported ($5.99) or ad-free ($10.99) plan.