With Disney now taking full ownership of Hulu, FX Networks will be producing original series for Hulu as the two brands become more closely intertwined, according to Variety.
What’s Happening:
- Disney CEO Bob Iger spoke on this topic, among others, during Disney’s fiscal fourth quarter earnings call today. He noted Hulu will become the streaming home of the FX channels, creating a new banner, “FX on Hulu,” to showcase the FX library and current series on the networks. He added that Episodes of current FX series will be available on Hulu immediately after their linear premiere, and also said that FX would become “a key content driver for Hulu.”
- FX will also produce four original series for Hulu: Devs, Mrs. America, A Teacher, and The Old Man. It should be noted that these shows had already been in the works for FX, and it’s not clear if they will only be exclusive to Hulu.
- Premiering in the spring, Mrs. America features Cate Blanchett as 1970s conservative firebrand Phyllis Schlafly. A Teacher, starring Kata Mara, is set to premiere in the summer while Old Man, starring Jeff Bridges, is targeted for the fall.
- FX also has two new original comedies in the works. Dave, starring rapper Lil Dickey, and Breeders, starring Martin Freeman premiering on the channel in the spring, with episodes landing on Hulu right after airing.
- Under the “FX on Hulu” banner, only a 17 vintage series will debut at launch, due to current licensing deals, Sons of Anarchy, Baskets, The League, and Wilfred among them.
- Iger also said Hulu will continue to have its separate programming and development operations for its dedicated slate of original series.
- During the call, Iger also confirmed Disney+ will launch in the U.K., France, Germany, Spain, and Italy on March 31, 2020, and Amazon Fire, Samsung, and LG becoming distributing partners for Tuesday’s domestic launch of the streaming service.
- Iger also added that Fox Searchlight will also eventually be producing original content for Hulu after previous deals with HBO and 20th Century Fox expire. He also said viewers are “likely to see more sports on ABC as the value of live (programming) grows,” causing increased speculation that the NFL may return to ABC.