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FX to Launch New Channel, Sending Some of Its Top Programs to a New Home

Mar 28, 2013  •  Post A Comment

FX is launching a new sister cable channel, with the rollout set for this fall, the Los Angeles Times reports. The new channel from the News Corp.-owned cable network is dubbed FXX.

“To get the channel off to a strong start, FX will move its comedies ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ and ‘The League’ to FXX, as well as its late-night show ‘Totally Biased With W. Kamu Bell,’ which will expand from a weekly to a nightly show,” the story reports. “FXX is scheduled to launch on Sept. 2. FX said it should be available in at least 70 million homes.”

The report adds: “By moving two of its established comedies to the new channel, FX is betting that it will have some leverage in negotiations for carriage with cable and satellite distributors and attract attention from Madison Avenue.”

FX did not provide details about how it expects to launch with such wide distribution. But News Corp. has reportedly been contemplating a conversion for Fox Soccer Channel into FXX.

“Besides the FX shows that will relocate to FXX, there are plans for two other original comedies in the first year and a total of six for the second year,” the Times report adds. “The channel will aim for adults 18-34. FX executives said it will not strictly be a comedy network.”

Said FX President John Landgraf, unveiling plans this morning for the new channel: “We are embarking on an incredibly ambitious ramp-up of program development and production required to sustain these networks.”

Executive VPs Nick Grad, Eric Schrier and Chuck Saftler are expected to join Landgraf as key players in the new venture.

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