FXX Lands Off-Net Rights to The Simpsons

LOS ANGELES: In what is being billed as the largest off-network deal in TV history, FXX has landed the exclusive cable, VOD and non-linear rights to FOX's The Simpsons, now in its 25th season on the network and recently renewed for a 26th.

The deal with Twentieth Century Fox Television kicks off in August 2014. FXX will become the cable network home for all seasons of The Simpsons, excluding seasons airing in their first run on FOX. In addition, the soon-to-launch FXNOW app will deliver streaming access to prior seasons for authenticated subscribers. As of August 2014, FXX and FXNOW will have access to 24 seasons, for a total of 530 episodes. FXX and FXNOW will get subsequent seasons of The Simpsons as new seasons begin their first run on FOX.

John Landgraf, CEO of FX Networks and FX Productions, commented: “The Simpsons is indisputably one of the greatest shows in television history. We are honored to have it associated with FX Networks and FXX.  This was a very long, hard and complicated negotiation and I credit the relentlessness and diligence of Chuck Saftler for getting it done."

Saftler, the president of program strategy and COO of FX Networks, added, “This is a historic deal for FXX and FX Networks and I don’t believe there will ever be another one like it.”

Reports estimate the deal is valued at about $750 million.