FXX
Latest
Disney+ adds 'The Simpsons' as a streaming exclusive
Among a flood of original and archived Disney programming coming to the Disney+ service when it launches November 12th, the company slipped in one last surprise from Fox: The Simpsons. Once the service launches, it will be the streaming home for all 30 seasons of the series. Right now, all episodes of The Simpsons are available via the FXX-linked Simpsons World site, and also stream on Hulu. Presumably that will change later this year, when they're locked into the $7-per-month Disney+ service, along with content from Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and other Disney properties. Now that Disney owns Fox, we're not surprised to see it put the studio's gems to use, but it's just another reminder of how many big names are under that umbrella now. Other than The Simpsons, Disney+ will also feature some other "family-friendly" titles from Fox: Additionally, Disney+ announced that all 30 seasons of The Simpsons will be available on the service on day one. In the service's first year, audiences will also have access to family-friendly Fox titles like The Sound of Music, The Princess Bride and Malcolm in the Middle as part of an impressive collection of more than 7,500 television episodes and 500 films including blockbuster hits from 2019 and beyond.
FX+ streaming service opens up to all of FX's cable subscribers
If you're an FX or FXX fan who'd love to watch the networks' shows wherever you are without ads, you'll be pleased to know the FX+ streaming service is opening up to all of FX's 90 million US cable subscribers. Until now, only Comcast and Cox customers could use the add-on service.
Disney buys Fox's studios and cable TV channels for $52 billion
After weeks of rumors, the deal is done -- Disney will buy up large chunks of Rupert Murdoch's Fox media empire for $52 billion. The list of what it won't take is shorter: the Fox News cable channel, broadcast networks and Fox Sports, which are expected to spin off as their own business. The Disney conglomerate adds the Fox movie and TV studios (including big-name franchises like X-Men, Avatar, Alien and The Simpsons), majority control of Hulu, FX cable networks and $13.7 billion in debt. On top of that, Fox is attempting to acquire the parts of UK's Sky that it doesn't already own, and if that's successful then Disney will get it too.
New FX subscription streams shows ad-free for $6 a month
Comcast announced today that it, along with FX Networks, will launch a new on-demand and streaming service that will give viewers commercial-free access to current and past episodes of FX and FXX series. However, you'll have to be an Xfinity TV subscriber and the service -- FX+ -- will cost you an additional $6 per month.
'Archer' mobile game asks you to break out your printer
By their very nature, most augmented reality games are at least a little bit futuristic. The creators of Archer, however, are embracing the past... in more ways than one. FXX's Archer, P.I. mobile game will have you pointing your Android or iOS device at your TV, Facebook and even billboards to scan for clues to a hidden story inside Archer: Dreamland, the film noir-inspired eighth season for the animated series. If you want to claim your rewards and unlock every mystery, though, you'll also have to print and assemble physical objects based on what you see in the show. That's right -- if you've welcomed the paperless future with open arms, you won't get everything the story has to offer.
'The Simpsons' seasons won't be available on disc from now on
If you've been diligently building a collection of Simpsons episodes on disc, you're in for a rude surprise. Show runner Al Jean has revealed that Fox is discontinuing disc releases of the long-running cartoon. As sources confirmed to us and The Hollywood Reporter, the studio doesn't believe there's a point to hard copies at this stage -- now that you can watch The Simpsons online, it "made more sense" to focus on internet services. With the show constantly airing around the world and in heavy rotation on FXX, it's a bit more accessible than other series even though DVD and Blu-ray are still big business.
At last, 'The Simpsons' is streaming in its original aspect ratio
When FXX started streaming The Simpsons, it committed a cardinal sin in the eyes of fans: it showed older episodes in widescreen, guaranteeing that you'd miss visual gags meant for 4:3 TV. Thankfully, the network has learned the error of its ways. Show runner Al Jean has revealed that Simpsons World is now streaming the series' first seven seasons in their original aspect ratio, making sure that you won't miss a single bit of the monorail musical or Bart's big spring break. The remaining 4:3 seasons are coming "soon," Jean says. The ratio switch isn't going to make you forget the less-than-stellar quality of more recent episodes, but it will at least let you properly relive The Simpsons' glory days.
Hulu's push for exclusives gets a big boost from Fox (update)
As we've said so many times (this week) the battle between streaming services has become all about what exclusive content each one has to offer, and with HBO joining in soon it's only going to get tougher. It's no surprise then, that Hulu's next attempt to get a leg up on the competition is coming with help from the cable arm of part-owner (and former employer of its CEO Mike Hopkins) Fox. Hulu is about to become the best/only place to watch FX (and FXX, and FXXX whenever that launches) shows without a cable subscription and access to FX Now apps. So don't expect to see hows like Tyrant, The Strain, You're The Worst and Married on Netflix or Amazon, they're spoken for. That also goes for new shows debuting next year like the Louis CK / Zach Galifianakis production Baskets and the M Night Shyamalan Fox miniseries Wayward Pines.
The FXX K hybrid supercar is LaFerrari's more powerful sibling
LaFerrari was already a beast, but the folks in Maranello wanted to make an even more aggressive hybrid -- thus, the FXX K was born. This supercar boasts an 848HP V12 engine (its predecessor has a 789HP one) and an electric motor that can generate 187HP (up from the LaFerrari's 160HP). The newer supercar inherited its older sibling's kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) that stores energy harnessed from braking. But it was redesigned from the original FXX to be more aerodynamic, with a higher tail section and new components to lessen drag. Bad news is, even if you're willing to empty your bank account, you can't exactly get one.
All 'Simpsons' episodes are now available for streaming
The wait is over, people of the interwebs. Right on cue, Fox has launched Simpsons World, the online hub where it will be streaming every Simpsons episode ever broadcasted. Even though the content is free to browse, you do need a cable login to start watching -- it's simple, if you're subscribed to a package that offers FXX, a channel owned by Fox, then you're good to go. In addition to the Simpsons World website, all Simpsons episodes can also be streamed via the FXNow mobile application, which is available on iOS and Android. Sure, it's only Tuesday, but at least now you have a clue of what you'll be doing this weekend.
'Simpsons World' puts the full series online, but you'll need cable to watch everything
First, the good news: At its Television Critics Awards, Fox just announced the details of its plan to put every episode of The Simpsons online for streaming (also, Louie and Fargo have been renewed). Simpsons World will launch in October and let fans browse episodes, create their own playlists, search for/share clips and more. Before that, the FXX cable channel will run "the longest TV marathon in history" by airing the full 25-season / 552 episode run (just for reference, the first HD episode is S20E10, from 2009) in one shot, 24 hours a day, plus The Simpsons Movie, from August 21st until September 1st. The bad news? To access more than just clips, you'll need a subscription with a participating cable provider. Simpsons World will live both on the web, and through the FXNow app on iOS, Android, Xbox and other smart TV platforms. From those in attendance, like Max Follmer of Brief, the app sounds very well put together, and will let fans do things like follow along with the script as it was originally written and immediately share quotes.
