The televisual landscape may be shifting, but FX seems to have a map of its own. While the digital frontier is daunting for some, FX Network has found a sure footing by sticking to its classic method: piloting shows before fully committing. John Landgraf, the FX chief who made the term "peak TV" buzzworthy, has been behind numerous hits. Currently, FX’s offerings include critically acclaimed series like The Bear, Shōgun, and Fargo. This is a network that’s managed to keep an edge while navigating industry changes, courtesy of its strategic roots.
FX’s approach to the streaming era—relying on both digital and traditional TV models—seems simple yet effective. As FX Entertainment’s co-president Nick Grad discussed in a new profile for Variety, the network takes cautious financial steps, allowing them to take creative risks. Take Atlanta as a case in point. Pitching an untested music video director, Hiro Murai, for the pilot, FX could afford to gamble without committing to a full season. Grad acknowledged, "If we weren’t making pilots, I don’t know if we’d make that decision on Hiro, who turned out to be one of the most talented narrative directors in the entire industry."
While many networks rush to release content in a bid to satisfy an ever-rolling binge culture, FX marches to its own drum. They focus on creating innovative and unique content, then finding a streaming model that works for it. As Disney Entertainment co-chairman Dana Walden puts it, they look at streaming as a windowing strategy, not a replacement for traditional TV. This balance keeps FX uniquely positioned, managing both their linear network and FX on Hulu.
And then there’s Shōgun. A show of such magnitude could only thrive on a global streaming service. John Landgraf stated, “You couldn’t make Shōgun for anything other than a global streaming platform. You need a global audience to amortize the cost.” Pushing boundaries here doesn’t just mean taking creative risks; it’s about proving to big players like Disney that ambitious programming has an audience. The traditionalist-meets-innovator approach seems to work wonders for FX’s critical reception.
Closing Credits
FX’s mix of old-school and progressive strategies is paying dividends. By straddling both worlds—linear and streaming—the network curates a diverse palette that defies the formulaic drudgery of much current entertainment. As the industry hurdles toward an increasingly digital future, FX remains a noteworthy example of how traditional methodologies can blend with modern innovations to create something uniquely successful. While the date of this model’s expiration remains uncertain, the proof of its current success is in their critically acclaimed slate. For now, FX continues to prove that the key to thriving in TV’s wild west might just be a toolbox of old tricks paired with a few fresh plays.
