I can’t remember the last time I watched a current episode of The Simpsons but I certainly was a fan back in the day. That’s why hearing I may soon be able to stream ALL 24 SEASONS whenever I want has got me pretty excited.
The actual big “industry news” is this is the first time the Fox series will be in syndication on anywhere but network televisions. Which is crazy considering how long it’s been on the air. But the more exciting part for fans is the show will also be available to stream for the first time. According to the press release:
After a vigorous bidding war which resulted in what is believed to be the biggest off-network deal ever, FXX has secured the exclusive cable, VOD and non-linear rights to The Simpsons, the longest-running, most successful comedy series in television history, it was announced today by John Landgraf, CEO, FX Networks and FX Productions and Chuck Saftler, President, Program Strategy, and COO, FX Networks.
It continued, “FXNOW, the soon-to-be-launched mobile viewing app of FX Networks for its authenticated subscribers, will be the exclusive non-linear home for all seasons of The Simpsons, excluding seasons airing in their first run on FOX.”
The transaction, which Variety says “is valued at upwards of $750 million over the life of the deal (“Ay caramba!”),” seemingly means you won’t be seeing the animated series on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Hulu any time soon, if not ever. It’s also not clear at this time if all 24 seasons will roll out at once on VOD or if they’ll have an excruciating wait like Adventure Time on Netflix.
And if you thought one Fox-related network getting the deal (and at such a high price) seems strange, Vulture explains:
While it might seem that FXX had the inside track on landing The Simpsons for cable and syndication, it’s not that simple because a slew of outside parties — including Matt Groening, James L. Brooks, and the show’s voice actors — all have financial stakes in the show. That doesn’t give them veto power regarding where the show ends up, but it does mean that if any of them thought FXX got a sweetheart deal, they could very easily sue 20th for not getting fair market value for the show. This is why 20th shopped The Simpsons to various cable groups, generating what a press release called “a vigorous bidding war” for the show and what Landgraf called “a very long, hard and complicated negotiation.”
Are you excited to have The Simpsons on demand?
(via Collider)
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