Netflix takes American Crime Story global

Subscription VOD giant Netflix has agreed a global streaming pact with 20^th Century Fox Television Distribution for FX drama American Crime Story.

The first season of the show will launch globally (excluding Canada) on Netflix in 2017, with all subsequent seasons made available after their respective broadcast windows. Season two will focus on Hurricane Katrina.

This marks the first time Netflix and Fox have agreed a global-spanning deal.

The People V. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, from Fox 21 Television Studios and FX Productions, finished its run this year in the US as cable most watched new series.

“We’re excited to evolve our relationship with FOX and to bring their lauded content to our members around the world,” said Sean Carey, VP, global television at Netflix. “Given the popularity of the first season of American Crime Story, we are thrilled to offer this acclaimed drama series to our members.”

The deal is the first major agreement for Fox that follows the news long-serving incumbent international distribution chief Marion Edwards would retire at the end of the year.

Her replacement, executive VP of worldwide pay TV and SVOD Gina Brogi, said: “We’re extremely pleased to continue our relationship with Netflix on this groundbreaking deal.

“We are very proud of the first installment of this franchise, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, which has received extraordinary critical acclaim and perfectly captured the cultural zeitgeist.”

Fox scored a “landmark” agreement for FX programmes with Netflix rival Hulu in the US in December 2014.