Furthering its commitment to delivering world-class content, Rogers Media announced today that new premium specialty channel FXX will launch in Canada on April 1. As the younger-skewing funnier extension of FX Canada, FXX will deliver premium programming to Canadian audiences, including envelope-pushing FX original scripted series, acquired movies and series, and original Canadian programs. The announcement was made today from the Television Critics Association tour in Pasadena.Mirroring its U.S. counterpart with a rebellious roster of buzz-worthy series that define the FX brand, FXX will be available on free preview via select distributors until June 30. Additionally, all of FXX’s original prime-time content will be available for multiplatform distribution. Full broadcast details to be announced at a later date.
“With the tremendous success of FX Canada over the last two years, extending the brand with the launch of FXX is a natural progression for Rogers Media as we continue to deliver unmatched, exceptional, and exclusive programming to our audiences across the country,” said Scott Moore, President, Broadcast, Rogers Media. “Our strong partnership with FX Networks has allowed us to broadcast world-class content to our Canadian audiences through FX Canada, and we are proud to further strengthen this relationship with FXX.”
Targeting the coveted Adults 18-34 demo, FXX is the destination for non-traditional content that is irreverent, witty, and subversive with hit comedies such as It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The League, Wilfred, Legit,andAli G: Rezurection, from Sacha Baron Cohen, featuring new content and previously unseen episodes of Da Ali G Show. Among the original series debuting on the channel are Chozen, an animated comedy from the creators of Eastbound & Down, which follows a white rapper looking for redemption following a prison sentence; and Canadian-filmed Fargo, based on the Coen Brothers’ Oscar®-winning crime drama of the same name, which chronicles an all-new “true crime” story and stars Oscar winner Billy Bob Thornton.
As previously announced, the Rogers Media partnership agreement with FX Networks ensures that any new original FX programs produced by FX Productions or Twentieth Century Fox Television will air on FXX and FX Canada. With an aggressive slate of content currently in development, both FXX and FX Canada combined will offer hundreds of hours of original and exclusive FX programming.
“The creative team at FX Networks has a world-renowned reputation for producing unparalleled content, and with the launch of FXX, viewers can expect even more provocative programming as the development slate ramps up in the months ahead,” said Hayden Mindell, Vice President of Programming and Content, Rogers Media. “We look forward to delivering new and established hits on FXX and the existing FX Canada channel.”
FX Canada is one of the fastest growing digital channels in the country, and has experienced a 148 per cent audience growth in prime time among P2+ since its launch in October 2011.* Most recently, the success of headlining series American Horror Story: Coven has catapulted, becoming the most-watched digital program in fall 2013, and peaked with its highest audience ever on October 23rd.**
*Source: BBM Canada, Total Canada, Fall 2013 (9/9/13-12/15/13) vs. launch (10/31/11-12/18/11), P2+
**Source: BBM Canada, Total Canada, 10/23/1; Fall 2013: 9/9/2013-12/15/203, P2+, rank of programs on CDN Digital Eng stations
