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The “FX on Hulu” confusion is over — you just might have missed it if you weren’t tuning in closely across both platforms.
When Season 5 of “The Bear” debuts on June 25, it will mark the first returning FX on Hulu series
that will simultaneously release on linear cable channel FX and the Hulu/Disney+ streamers at the same time. This will be the most notable and outwardly promoted change to FX programming release strategy, but the shift actual began quietly in early 2026 with the premiere of Ryan Murphy’s “The Beauty” on Jan. 21.
Since that show debuted, all FX-branded TV series have simultaneously premiered on linear networks FX or FXX while launching on Hulu. That includes FX’s “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette” and “Welcome to Wrexham.” (“Love Story” debuted its series premiere on FX and dropped its first three episodes on Hulu at the same time on Feb. 3. “Wrexham” aired its Season 5 premiere on May 14 on FXX as it released its first two episodes on Hulu.)
With the simulcast underway throughout the first half of 2026, all FX-branded series have been submitted for Emmy Award consideration as FX/Hulu shows, giving equal credit to both the linear and streaming platform. The hope is this will lead to accurate attribution when it comes time to tally up FX noms — and subsequent wins.
The “FX on Hulu” branding was first created with the launch of “Devs” in March 2020, which marked the first streaming-exclusive series produced by FX for viewing strictly on Hulu.
But then FX got rid of the “FX on Hulu” branding, and it’s been difficult to figure out where FX series might be found. Some FX or FXX shows would premiere on the linear channel, then air the next day on Hulu. Others would premiere on Hulu and get an airing window on the linear FX or FXX at a much later date. But several of FX’s biggest prestige bets could only be watched on Hulu — making for the confusing fact that some of FX’s most visible shows couldn’t actually be found on FX.
Ever since Disney took ownership of FX in its acquisition of 21st Century Fox assets in 2019, FX has been evolving from a basic cable network to a multi-platform brand. Eventually, FX began considering itself more of a programming label in the vein of Marvel and Lucasfilm — developing, producing and marketing its own content but relying mostly now on the distribution of Hulu instead of the linear outlet that happens to also bear its name.
As Disney reorganized, Landgraf as FX chairman oversaw the brand’s programming — as it produced fare for Hulu and the FX linear channel. But the actual day-to-day oversight of the FX linear channels fall under Disney Entertainment Television chairman Debra OConnell’s organization; Chuck Saftler oversees business operations for FX, as well as ABC and Freeform.
On top of this making FYC strategy clearer — and more beneficial to both FX and Hulu — the internal hope at the Landgraf-led FX is to essentially mirror the distinction but connection that HBO managed to pull off with HBO and HBO Max originals. (Few question that it’s all branded “HBO/Max” anymore.) Leadership hopes this simulcast change will give viewers clarity on where shows are airing, but also continue to reinforce the connection between FX and Hulu to creatives and talent throughout the industry.
In going with an FX/Hulu simulcast, insiders note that it makes for equal billing since they’re now on equal footing. It also makes the marketing for FX shows much clearer. Previously, while some shows wouldn’t air on FX at all, the ones that did aired a day before Hulu — making for day-and-date confusion.
That’s all gone: One time, one date, all linear/streaming at the same time. Another example comes when Season 2 of “Adults” will premiere August 27 with two episodes at 9 p.m. on FXX — while all episodes simultaneously drop on Hulu and FXX VOD (for cable/satellite subscribers that have on demand).
