Chief executive of FX Networks John Landgraf lambasted CBS and Amazon in public for devalueing the networks in pay-TV distributorship deals. Langraf's main issue was that Amazon, CBS's distributor, was streaming episodes of American science fiction drama TV series "Under the Dome." The TV series, based on Stephen King's novel of the same name, is one of CBS's big hits of the season.
The gray area of digital distribution of creative content such as TV shows and videos had become more gray thanks largely to CBS and Time Warner's period-long dispute over digital rights and retransmission fees. Although new shows like "Under the Dome" should not in principle be aired in digital platforms for about a year after its pilot airing, Amazon streams new episodes just days after they air on primetime TV.
Landgraf said, "You have to deny it to people who don't pay that subscription."
FX, with its slogan saying "Fearless", was considered a breakout star in TV programming. It has launched equally lauded and award-nominated TV series such as "Sons of Anarchy", "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia", and Morgan Spurlock's "30 Days." The FX channel is available in 97.157 million American households.
21st Century Fox Inc, who owns FX Networks, has a market capital of USD74.2 billion. As of June 30 this year, it had earned USD27.68 billion in annual revenue.
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