“The Simpsons” are coming to FXX in what the network says is the biggest deal ever for off-network rights.
It may seem like a no-brainer that FXX would get the Twentieth Century Fox Television show that airs on its corporate cousin, Fox. But the cable network says it won the rights in a “vigorous bidding war.” The deal also includes non-linear rights for the online FoxNow platform.
The deal hands TV’s longest-running scripted series to the new FXX, the younger-skewing offshot of FX. It includes 24 seasons and 530 episodes in all. FXX will have access to the show’s current, 25th season once the 26th season airs on Fox.
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“The Simpsons” will begin airing on FXX next August.
“‘The Simpsons’ is indisputably one of the greatest shows in television history,” said FX Network CEO John Landgraf. “We are honored to have it associated with FX Networks and FXX. This was a very long, hard and complicated negotiation and I credit the relentlessness and diligence of Chuck Saftler for getting it done. I also want to thank Gary Newman and Dana Walden at TCFTV, and Greg Meidel and Steve MacDonald at Twentieth Television. Most important of all, I want to thank Jim Brooks, Matt Groening and Al Jean and everyone at Gracie Films for this new partnership.”
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“The Simpsons” is a Gracie Films Production in association with 20th Century Fox Television. James L. Brooks, Matt Groening and Al Jean are the executive producers. The animation house is Film Roman, a Starz Media Company.