LOS ANGELES – Video distributors that sign up for Fox’s new on-line authentication service can offer their customers an exclusive 8-day window in which to watch new episodes from the likes of Glee, Bones, and The Simpsons, the broadcasting giant said Tuesday.
To watch new episodes of Fox shows the next day, viewers must visit Fox.com, Hulu.com, Dishonline.com or the on-line TV portals of any future participating distributors and log in with their subscriber usernames and passwords. Viewers who do not subscribe to a participating distributor must wait eight days following the initial air dates to watch the episodes on-line.
“We are continually looking at opportunities to provide our pay television distributors with content and products that enhance the value of pay television to subscribers,” said Michael Hopkins, president of affiliate sales and marketing for Fox Networks, in Tuesday’s announcement. “Our new authentication service will continue to provide next-day access to Fox broadcast shows for our viewers who subscribe to participating pay television providers.”
Fox confirmed that Dish Network will be the first TV provider to offer this service, which will launch in the U.S. on August 15th.
“Dish Network is proud to be the first pay-TV provider in America to give customers the opportunity to take full advantage of the new Fox.com viewing experience – at no additional cost,” said SVP of programming Dave Shull. “Early access to Fox.com is a terrific addition to our expansive TV Everywhere platform, which gives Dish Network customers the ability to watch whatever they want anytime, anywhere.”
Fox authentication only impacts on-line viewing, and all other television viewing options remain unchanged. Other current shows available on-line include American Dad, Family Guy, and Raising Hope, while new series available on-line this Fall include New Girl, Terra Nova, The Finder, and Allen Gregory.
