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The Verge, TVWeek

Is This the Future of Broadcast TV? Fox Tries Live Streaming of Prime-Time Programming

Jul 12, 2016  •  Post A Comment

Fox has launched a live streaming initiative that places the network’s prime-time programming on a simulcast available through the Fox Now app. The Verge reports that the ambitious project is the first of its kind among the major broadcast networks, adding, “This should be commonplace for networks pretty soon.”

“American viewers in all 210 of the country’s TV markets will be able to live stream Fox’s shows on iOS and Android devices, Apple TVs, and through Google Chromecasts, complete with local-market advertising and station branding,” the story reports. “The live-streaming will be available seven nights a week, and the program beta kicked off last night with an episode of ‘So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation.’ It’ll expand to include all of Fox’s new fall shows and some of its award properties (like the ‘Teen Choice Awards’) as the summer rolls on.”

The tryout requires authentication of a cable subscription.

“Fox and many other networks already live stream much of their sports programming (though without the specialized local commercials), and pay cable services — notably HBO — support quasi-live-streaming by making new episodes of their shows available on demand as soon as they start airing,” the report notes, adding: “It’s still an interesting step forward, one you can easily imagine all of the other major broadcast networks taking in the next few years.”

In a joint statement in the announcement, Fox Television Group Chairmen and CEOs Dana Walden and Gary Newman said: “From the start of the on-demand and over-the-top viewing revolution, Fox has been at the forefront of providing greater access to our buzz-defining shows. Adding nationwide primetime live streams is just another great example of how the Fox Digital Consumer Group … is innovating to give viewers the convenience and flexibility to watch our programming whenever and wherever they want.”

Fox Now app logo

3 Comments

  1. The headline is, of course, a trick question. Everyone knows that there is no future for broadcast TV,

  2. There is a future for broadcast TV if the video quality of livestream sports broadcasts doesn’t improve. Last night’s Cardinals-Giants game on Fox looked just plain weird! Looked like I was watching a BBC telecast in slow motion.

    • TS, what you said! Same for last night’s MLB All-Star Game. A BBC telecast in slow motion – my thoughts exactly!

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