As part of the biggest off-net deal in TV history, 24 seasons of “The Simpsons” are heading to FXX, FX’s cable entertainment network that launched in September, and FXNOW, its upcoming mobile TV Everywhere app.
After an intense bidding war over America’s favorite animated family, FXX is walking away with cable, VOD and non-linear rights to “The Simpsons” starting in August 2014. The deal includes the first 24 seasons as well as subsequent episodes after they’ve finished their first run on Fox. (Season 25 will be available on FXX next fall).
FXX will become the exclusive cable home for the existing 530 episodes of “The Simpsons” through the deal, reportedly valued at anywhere between $800 - $1 billion over roughly the next 10 years. The show’s sale to cable had been delayed due to past deals made with local TV stations 20 years ago that prohibited concurrent cable sales.
FXNOW, FX’s soon-to-launch authenticated TV Everywhere app, also will make the archive available via VOD, making it the first VOD platform to widely offer streaming “Simpsons” seasons (which will hopefully lure viewers to the service).
FX’s cable offshoot reportedly beat out other bidders including Viacom and NBCUniversal’s cable holdings to get the off-net rights.
“The Simpsons” is the longest running scripted series on TV and is currently working on its 25th season on Fox.
Read more at Variety and the Los Angeles Times.
Brief Take: FXX can now use The Simpsons, long considered one of 21st Century Fox’s least exploited but potentially most profitable assets to build its brand as a cable comedy destination. The Fox-owned TV Everywhere app, FXNOW, also should get a leg up on authenticated services, as “The Simpsons’” exclusive online home.
[Image courtesy of Fox]
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