FX to Offer Ad-Free Streaming Service via Comcast

Comcast and FX Networks are launching FX+, a new service that will allow Xfinity TV subscribers to upgrade to a platform featuring commercial-free current seasons of such hit shows as American Horror Story.

FX+ will launch on September 5, and Xfinity TV customers can add the new service to their video package for $5.99 per month. In addition to offering complete in-season stacking rights to all of its current original series commercial free, FX Networks is now the first ad-supported cable portfolio to offer all seasons of the majority of its original series library, including American Horror Story, Damages, Legion, Louie, Nip/Tuck, Rescue Me, The Shield and Sons of Anarchy. FX+ will feature more than 1,100 episodes of original programs spanning the past 15 years.

Given the volume of episodes in the FX Networks library, the shows will be rolled out over a period of time and it is expected that the complete FX+ roster will be available in 2018. 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.

“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,” said John Landgraf, the CEO of FX Networks and FX Production. “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. 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 unequaled 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.”

“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 Matt Strauss, the executive VP and general manager for video and entertainment services at Comcast Cable. “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.”