FX Head Isn’t Sure What the Network’s Streaming Future Looks Like

Though FX shows have been a part of Hulu for years and FX originals will certainly be part of the streaming giant’s new and improved deal, the network isn’t entirely sure where its streaming future lies. At the Television Critics Association’s 2019 summer tour FX Networks and FX Productions Chairman John Landgraf took the stage to talk about FX’s growing collaboration with Hulu.

“I don’t know if every streaming service will work. I think I feel pretty good with the ones run by the company we’re now a part of,” Landgraf said about concerns of streaming service fatigue. “I think what you saw the Walt Disney Company do was make some pretty big, bold decisions about what it would take to have the best streaming service.”

Today Disney announced a new and ambitious pricing bundle for its streaming services. The package, which would include Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+, would cost $12.99 a month. “Which is $2 less than Netflix,” Landgraf added. “That’s an incredible value and it’s an incredible amount of quality, quality of content we all put together.”

The FX head also addressed Bob Iger’s announcement that some FX content would be coming to Hulu before coming to FX. “I can’t elaborate on that. I can concur that he did say that. He has said repeatedly that the FX programming and the FX brand, which will continue to be made for the FX linear channels and for basic cable networks will also begin to support and populate Hulu,” Landgraf said. “He also indicated today — although no decision has been made — that it’s possible that a show FX made, an FX show that FX made for Hulu could come to FX second after it went to Hulu first. But today I’m not able to talk in detail.”

As for when FX’s increased slate of content will air, Landgraf isn’t concerned. To date the network hasn’t aired shows on Mondays and Saturdays, leaving those two days wide open for new premieres. That’s without noting the almost limitless possibility of streaming. “This is true of HBO too. The amount of people who watch something live but same day is such a small portion of people who actually watch the program,” Landgraf explained. “It’s not as critical a decision as it used to be.”