Will subscribers move to Hulu to find their favorite FX shows?

“We deeply appreciate every fan of FX original series who subscribed to our service, and we are more optimistic and excited than ever about FX’s future as a key brand supporting the strategic priorities of The Walt Disney Company,” said FX Networks in a statement.

Variety reports that current seasons of FX Networks’ original series will still air on FX and FXX linear channels and will be available on a limited basis via the FXNow app and online at FXNetworks.com.

This move does not come as a surprise. On April 11, at Disney’s Investor Day, the company laid out its comprehensive direct-to-consumer strategy, starting with the November 12 launch of Disney+, a streaming OTT service available for $6.99 a month, or $69.99 per year. This service will offer family-friendly content that includes Disney brands such as Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic. During its first year, Disney+ will premiere 25 original series and 10 original films, documentaries and specials.

Highlights of its original content include:

• The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, a live-action series from Marvel
• WandaVision, also a live action series from Marvel
• Marvel’s What If…?, an animated series from Marvel Studios
• Into the Unknown: Making Frozen 2, a Disney documentary series
• Toy Story-based projects from Pixar
• The World According to Jeff Goldblum, a National Geographic documentary
• The Phineas and Ferb Movie, an animated film from Disney Television Animation

Disney+ will also feature all 30 seasons of The Simpsons, The Sound of Music, The Princess Bride, Malcolm in the Middle and more than 7,500 TV episodes and 500 movies.

“We’re extremely excited about our growing portfolio of direct-to-consumer offerings.  As we demonstrated today, with Disney+ we will deliver extraordinary entertainment in innovative ways to audiences around the world,” said Kevin Mayer, chairman, direct-to-consumer and international.  “We’ll continue to enhance the user experience with a constant pipeline of high-quality programming, making the service even more appealing to consumers.”

Part of that strategy also includes the Disney-owned Hulu. Hulu subscribers can watch FX Networks on Hulu, so cord cutters and cord nevers can still get watch their favorite episodes of Fargo, Legion, Baskets, Better Things, Married, The Bridge and The Riches. The ad-supported version of Hulu, following a one-month free trial, is $5.99 a month. The ad-free version, also with one-month free trial, is available for $11.99. Not all shows are ad free, however. Some shows may include ads before, after and as a break during the video.

Disney+ will become home to family-friendly entertainment, and everything else - including FX Networks content - is likely to appear on Hulu.

Insider Take:

Neither FX Networks nor Disney have disclosed subscription numbers for FX+, but unless the number was huge, it is unlikely that it would impact Disney’s decision. By effectively removing a smaller competitor, Disney can funnel FX+ subscribers to one of its other services – Disney+ or Hulu. Given the nature of FX content, Hulu is likely to become their new home, at least for now.

Dana Neuts is Subscription Insider's Senior Staff Writer, covering our daily subscription news as well as member features, case studies, and reports.  

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