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fxnetworks.com/fxnow
Cable television networks have been scrambling to stay relevant over the last five years by developing their own streaming services and apps. While some networks have done well, others have not been as successful.
Some networks, it seems, have not taken the push toward streaming and mobile apps as seriously as they should have. For example, CBS won?t be launching their streaming service until later this year, and they have instead chosen to forego the world of streaming altogether, favoring their viewers to stream live television on their official websites if they sign in with their cable provider.
Others have been thriving on mobile app stores for a few years now and this is the only way that cable networks can survive these days, if you ask me. They have to offer their own streaming service in order to remain relevant and competitive. I pity the companies that are still not taking the streaming and cord-cutting movements seriously in 2020. They are poised to lose hundreds of thousands of viewers.
Many networks have outsourced their mobile and streaming efforts by choosing to use Hulu as an example. This streaming service offers a live TV package which looks similar to premium cable services. Many networks have chosen to hop on the Hulu Live TV bandwagon, seeing it as an easy way into the future.
It seems that the days where networks can count on physical cable TV ratings to determine whether or not a show will be renewed or canceled are coming to an end. In the era of streaming platforms, it's become more and more difficult for networks to maintain their viewership numbers, especially when it comes to original content. Shows that don't have their own streaming platform might as well kiss goodbye to their ratings, as some networks are still canceling and renewing series based on these outdated numbers.
Apparently, the days where networks can depend solely on physical cable TV ratings in order to determine a show's fate are drawing to a close. With streaming platforms becoming more popular, it's becoming increasingly difficult for networks to maintain viewership numbers - especially for original content. Shows that don't have their own streaming platforms may not be able to survive if they don't have high ratings. It was because of a massive online petition by fans of the show that Brooklyn Nine-Nine was saved from being cancelled at its previous network.
It has come to light in the world of entertainment that the old methods of providing content and surveying its success are no longer cutting it. Networks today need to be forward-thinking, progressive, and flexible in order to keep the ever-shortening attention spans of the masses. If you do not have an app that allows your viewers to stream content without a cable provider by 2020, you may be doomed.
Many cable networks have had a harder time adapting to the digital age, which is why it is fortunate that FX is not one of them. They have been able to bend and shift with the times, getting their slice of the digital media pie almost from the get-go. Whether it came from allowing Netflix and Hulu to syndicate some of their content, or from FX making the wise and prudent decision to unveil their own premium streaming app (the Disney purchase of FX probably pushed them in that direction), FX has been able to adapt in order to best monetize their content in the 21st century - in ways that are mutually beneficial, for the shareholders, the viewers, and the cable providers. This rare feat for a traditional cable network has helped them stay afloat during challenging times.
FX's success can be credited to their strategy of allowing streaming of their most popular shows on Hulu and Netflix and their premium app, FX Now. By signing into their website and watching live TV, as long as they have a cable provider, users also receive access to on-demand content for free with ads.
But how does the FX Now app compare with some of the other great premium streaming apps on the market? Well, let's take a look and find out, shall we?
Design
FX Now is a premium streaming app that stands out from the rest with its sleek, professional design. It is user-friendly and has a minimalist black background that looks great.
FX Now is a premier streaming app that offers users a variety of content options, including live TV, shows, and movies. It is simple to use and has received high ratings from users.
You will be happy to know that the FX Now app is regularly fixing and moderating reported bugs. That being said, when I downloaded it, the app would not even run. Let's hope that is something that they will have fixed by the end of the day!
Content
FX Now provides its users access to all of its original content, as well as a large selection of syndicated movies. This means that all of your favorite shows: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Archer, American Horror Story, Atlanta, Snowfall, and many more are available. And this is just in the free version! Note: you will not be able to access the latest episodes and content without linking your cable provider.
If you link your cable provider to the FX Now app, you'll be able to watch all episodes (even the most recent) on-demand of your favorite shows. But an even cooler feature is that you will also be able to watch FX live, right from the app. Surprisingly, not all premium streaming apps are live TV capable, so this is truly an exceptional feature.
Pricing and Plans
Unfortunately, it is hard to say how much the full, unlocked, premium streaming version of the FX Now app will end up costing you. It depends on how much your cable provider charges for access to FX. Usually, though, I think that, in addition to whatever you already pay per month in cable bills, FX is an add-on channel for $4.99 or so a month.
However, it is potentially worth considering checking out FX Plus, which costs only a dollar more per month and gets you access to all of the latest FX originals as well as the entire FX library of shows and movies. Just something to consider.
Suggestions that I have for FX Now
I absolutely love the app, its highly functional and user-friendly performance (so, I have no complaints in that area), but I wish it were possible to watch live episodes of FX shows without requiring a cable provider. I would even be willing to consider paying FX directly, say, $10 a month for the ability to do this (as well as stream on-demand). I have no desire to sign up for traditional cable, and I think that FX could stand to push themselves a little bit further into the future and anticipate that there are others out there like me - offering an FX-specific option that allowed for live streaming would really set this premium streaming app apart from the rest.
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