FX (Canadian TV channel)

{{Short description|Canadian specialty television channel}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2014}} {{Infobox television channel | name = FX | logo = FX International logo.svg | logo_size = 200px | launch_date = {{start date|2011|10|31}}, 15 years ago | picture_format = 480i (SDTV)<br>1080i (HDTV) | owner = {{Plainlist| *Rogers Sports & Media (66.64% and managing partner) *FX Networks (33.36%) }} | parent = 8064750 Canada Inc. | country = Canada | area = Nationwide | headquarters = Toronto, Ontario | former_names = FX Canada (2011-2015) | sister_channels = FXX | website = {{URL|https://citytvplus.ca/brands/fx|FX Canada}} | online_serv_1 = Amazon Prime Channels | online_chan_1 = Over-the-top TV }} '''FX''' is a Canadian English-language television channel majority owned by Rogers Sports & Media, a division of Rogers Communications (which owns a controlling 66.64% interest and serves as managing partner), with a minority stake held by the FX Networks subsidiary of Disney General Entertainment Content (which owns the remaining 33.36%). based on the U.S. cable network of the same name, FX is devoted primarily to scripted dramas and comedies.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}

==History== In February 2011, Rogers Media was granted approval by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to launch a television channel called ''Highwire'', described as "a national, English-language Category 2 specialty programming service devoted to the entire genre of action and adventure, including selections from crime fiction, epic and heroic drama."<ref>[http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2011/2011-103.htm Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2011-103] CRTC February 17, 2011</ref>

The channel was first launched on October 31, 2011, as '''FX Canada''' in standard and high definition.<ref name="fxcanada-launch-pr">[http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/864995/critically-acclaimed-fx-canada-launches-with-exclusive-free-view-for-digital-subscribers-starting-october-31 {{sic|hide=y|Critically|-}}acclaimed FX Canada launches with exclusive free-view for digital subscribers starting October 31] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528024044/http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/864995/critically-acclaimed-fx-canada-launches-with-exclusive-free-view-for-digital-subscribers-starting-october-31 |date=May 28, 2013 }} Canada Newswire October 25, 2011</ref> The channel was wholly owned by Rogers Media at its launch. However, on December 16, 2011, the CRTC approved an application for FX Networks to purchase a 20% interest in the channel's direct parent company, and a 16.7% interest in the holding company owning the other 80%, for an overall ownership interest of 33.6% (with Rogers retaining the remainder).<ref>[http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2011/2011-783.htm Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2011-783] CRTC December 16, 2011</ref> Shaw Direct added the channel on November 22, 2012.

On April 15, 2013, it was announced that FX Canada had acquired the exclusive domestic telecast rights to air future episodes of soap operas ''All My Children'' and ''One Life to Live'', which were revived through Hulu and iTunes in the U.S. However, on May 17, 2013, almost three weeks since the premieres, and a day after Prospect Park announced a schedule change for both series that reduced each week's broadcasts to two episodes (from four), ''All My Children'' and ''One Life to Live'' were abruptly pulled from FX Canada's schedule. They were replaced by repeats of NBC's ''30 Rock''.

Rogers had tentatively planned to launch a Canadian version of FXX, the U.S. spinoff channel launched in September 2013 to which several FX comedy series moved.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/rogers-media-launch-fxx-canada-559915|title=Rogers Media to Launch FXX Canada in 2014 Via FX Networks Pact|first=Etan|last=Vlessing|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=May 29, 2013|access-date=September 2, 2013}}</ref> In the meantime, series that have moved to FXX continued to air on FX Canada. Originally planned for January 2014, the Canadian version of FXX eventually launched on April 1, 2014.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rogersmediatv.ca/pr_detail.php?id=983|title=Rogers Media Announces Launch of New Premium Specialty Channel FXX, April 1|date=January 14, 2014|access-date=January 22, 2014|archive-date=January 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140115190744/http://www.rogersmediatv.ca/pr_detail.php?id=983|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In October 2014, nearly three years after its launch, Bell Satellite TV reached a deal to carry FX Canada and FXX; they were added to its satellite and Fibe TV lineups on October 10, 2014. Bell was one of the most prominent television providers not to carry FX Canada - a fact regularly noted in promotions for the channel on its sibling networks. It was reported that the channel's incorporation into the revamped ''Hockey Night in Canada'' was an impetus for the deal.<ref name=canoe-fxbell>{{cite web|title=Rogers' FX Canada and FXX now available on Bell; gamesmanship caves to power of NHL hockey|url=http://blogs.canoe.com/rabbitears/television/rogers-fx-canada-and-fxx-now-available-on-bell-gamesmanship-caves-to-power-of-nhl-hockey/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312113546/http://blogs.canoe.com/rabbitears/television/rogers-fx-canada-and-fxx-now-available-on-bell-gamesmanship-caves-to-power-of-nhl-hockey/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 12, 2016|website=Canoe.ca|access-date=11 October 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

In January 2015, the channel started referring to itself as '''FX''', in addition to adopting the current logo used worldwide.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.marketingmag.ca/media/rogers-to-rebrand-fx-canada-134811|title=ROGERS TO REBRAND FX CANADA|date=January 14, 2015|access-date=March 21, 2016}}</ref>

In April 2022, FX and FXX have been available on Amazon Prime Video channels as part of the launch of the Citytv+ streaming package.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rogerssportsandmedia.com/the-latest/citytv-launches-new-video-streaming-products-citytv-and-citynews-24-7/|title=Citytv Launches New Video Streaming Products, Citytv+ and CityNews 24/7|date=April 13, 2022|access-date=April 13, 2022}}</ref>

On November 19, 2024, it was revealed on Access Communications' website that the local version of FXNow would cease operations effective December 31, 2024, with all of its content moving to the Citytv app. Rogers has yet to confirm this plan.

==Programming== {{Main|List of programs broadcast by FX (Canadian TV channel)}} thumb|160px|Original logo, used until January 2015

===Programming acquired from FX Networks=== As part of the agreement between Rogers Media and FX Networks, any new original series produced for the flagship FX channel in the U.S. by its co-owned studios (FXP and 20th Television) will air on FX Canada.<ref name="rogers-announce">[http://rogersmediatv.ca/pr_detail.php?id=389 Rogers Media to launch FX Canada] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828102416/http://rogersmediatv.ca/pr_detail.php?id=389 |date=August 28, 2018 }} Rogers press release August 6, 2011</ref> This means that while the channel airs most programming from FX, it does not carry all original series that premiered prior to 2011.

For example, ''It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia'' didn't air on the channel until mid-2013,<ref>{{Cite web |title=It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia on FX Canada |url=http://www.fxcanada.ca/details.php?id=270 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130705214638/http://www.fxcanada.ca/details.php?id=270 |archive-date=2013-07-05 |access-date=2025-08-29 |website=www.fxcanada.ca}}</ref> and FX Canada only had second window rights to ''Sons of Anarchy'', as premiere rights to each season had been previously sold to Super Channel.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sons of Anarchy S5 Ep 01 |url=http://www.superchannel.ca:80/series/episode/53170862/Sons-of-Anarchy-S5-Ep-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120914032617/http://www.superchannel.ca:80/series/episode/53170862/Sons-of-Anarchy-S5-Ep-01 |archive-date=2012-09-14 |access-date=2025-08-29 |website=Super Channel}}</ref> The channel also didn't carry certain series produced by third-party studios; such as ''Anger Management'' (produced by Lionsgate), ''Justified'' (primarily produced by Sony Pictures Television), ''Archer'', and ''The New York Times Presents'' (which is distributed separately by Red Arrow Studios) In most of these cases, the rights were purchased by other Canadian broadcasters.

FX Canada has carried series commissioned for the FX on Hulu hub launched in 2020 (such as ''Devs'' and ''Mrs. America''), as the Hulu streaming service isn't available in Canada.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nowtoronto.com/movies/reviews/mrs-america-cate-blanchett-rose-byrne/|title=TV review: Mrs. America takes a 70s story and reflects on current U.S. politics|first=Norman|last=Wilner|date=April 13, 2020|access-date=April 18, 2020|work=Now}}</ref> With the February 23, 2021 launch of the Star hub on Disney+, which is available in Canada, all of FX's Hulu series unannounced for broadcast on FX Canada (such as ''American Horror Stories'' and ''Reservation Dogs'') has instead aired on Disney+. Since December 2021, past seasons of all FX Network programming became available on Disney+ in Canada.<ref>{{cite web|title=FX Unifies Branding Across All Platforms, Drops 'FX On Hulu' Moniker As It Ramps Up Output & Goes Global|url=https://deadline.com/2021/12/fx-unifies-branding-fx-on-hulu-dropped-1234884658/|work=Deadline Hollywood|first1=Nellie|last1=Andreeva|date=December 6, 2021|access-date=December 6, 2021}}</ref>

===Other programming=== FX Canada has served as an overflow channel for Sportsnet; its license dictates that it can air up to 10% sports programming. During the 2013 Major League Baseball season, FX Canada aired six pre-season Toronto Blue Jays games. The channel was made available as a free preview to providers during this period as well.<ref name=mscanada-jays2013>{{cite web|title=Blue Jays Lead Off with Spring Training TV, Specialty Channel World Series, New Mobile App|url=http://www.mediacastermagazine.com/news/blue-jays-lead-off-with-spring-training-tv-specialty-channel-world-series-new-mobile-app/1002092074/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429184639/http://www.mediacastermagazine.com/news/blue-jays-lead-off-with-spring-training-tv-specialty-channel-world-series-new-mobile-app/1002092074/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=April 29, 2013|publisher=Mediacaster Magazine|access-date=March 24, 2013}}</ref> During the 2014–15 season, FX Canada occasionally aired NHL games on Saturday nights as part of Rogers' ''Hockey Night in Canada''. They primarily simulcasted all-U.S. matchups from U.S. regional sports networks.<ref name=torstar-nhlplans>{{cite web|title=Rogers unveils plans for NHL broadcasts next season|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/2014/02/04/rogers_unveils_plans_for_nhl_broadcasts_next_season.html|work=Toronto Star|date=February 4, 2014 |access-date=February 5, 2014}}</ref> During the Stanley Cup Playoffs, FX occasionally airs early round games involving two U.S. teams.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sportsnet releases schedule for first round of Stanley Cup Playoffs|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/article/sportsnet-releases-schedule-for-first-round-of-stanley-cup-playoffs/|work=Sportsnet|date=April 14, 2023 |access-date=April 15, 2023}}</ref>

In addition to other acquired or syndicated programming, FX Canada also airs off-network repeats of various Citytv and CBC original programs during the weekday morning graveyard slot to fulfill Canadian content requirements.

==See also== * FX (UK) * FX Australia * FX (Greece) * FX (Asia) * FX (Latin America)

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{Official website|https://citytvplus.ca/brands/fx}}

Category:Rogers Communications Canada Category:Specialty television channels in Canada Category:Television channels and stations established in 2011 Category:English-language television stations in Canada Category:2011 establishments in Canada