Fox and Comcast announce comprehensive programming agreement
Comcast Corporation and Fox News announced Wednesday that they have reached an agreement for a new distribution pact to deliver Fox Broadcasting's and Fox Television Stations' content to Comcast Xfinity TV customers.
Entertainment, sports and local news will be accessible to Xfinity customers on TVs, computers, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles and Internet-enabled TVs.
The renewal supports the companies' mutual goal to deliver the most popular video content to customers across multiple platforms, officials said.
This agreement provides service to nearly 22 million Xfinity TV customers of both live and on-demand programming to 20 Fox Television Stations broadcasting stations (13 Fox and 7 MyNet), as well as FX, FX Movie Channel, Speed, Fuel TV, Fox Soccer, National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo Wild, MundoFox, Fox Deportes and Fox Business Network.
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but the agreement does include a framework for both companies to continue to collaborate on new, multiplatform offerings so that the companies can take advantage of new technologies and programming through the life of the deal, which includes Comcast's advanced advertising and ad system's integration services.
Key components of the agreement include:
—Episodes from key prime-time series on Fox, FX, FX Movie Channel, National Geographic, Nat Geo Wild, Speed and Fuel TV
—One of the largest On Demand offerings of episodes of current seasons available from Fox, FX, National Geographic Channel and Nat Geo Wild, including shows like "Glee," "Bones," "The Simpsons," "Sons of Anarchy," "Justified," "The Americans," "Wicked Tuna," "Diggers" and "Alpha Dog"
—Dozens of movies from FX and FX Movie Channel, including some of the biggest blockbusters airing on these networks
—Access to content on Fox's websites and applications
There are also long-term plans to make next-day, full-episode streaming on select Fox programming available online the next day to authenticated Xfinity TV customers.
Additionally, Xfinity TV customers can access full episodes on Fox Now, a suite of TV apps across multiple digital platforms designed to provide viewers with enhanced interactive and social capabilities around their favorite Fox shows.
“This unprecedented TV Everywhere agreement enables us to take advantage of the innovative technologies and platforms we’ve developed to deliver the best content to our customers,” Greg Rigdon, EVP, content acquisition for Comcast Cable, said in a prepared statement. “Together with Fox, thanks to the leadership of Peter Rice, Mike Hopkins and his team, for the first time we are unlocking the value of some of Fox’s best content by making it available to Xfinity TV customers through new applications and devices.”
“Neil Smit, Greg Rigdon and their team are on the cutting edge of the burgeoning TV Everywhere space and were great partners throughout this process," Mike Hopkins, president, distribution, Fox Networks, said in a prepared statement. "This agreement will bring Fox’s brands and content to Xfinity TV customers on all platforms, and we are excited to begin this journey with Comcast.”
