It looks inevitable that FOX Soccer will shut down later this year.
At a presentation this morning, FX executives announced the launch of their new sister channel dubbed FXX, which will premiere on September 2. Despite contrary reports in some media outlets this morning, there has been no confirmation that FOX Soccer will become FXX even though it appears likely that it’ll happen.
“The launch of FXX this September was announced this morning, but we have nothing to announce today about FOX Soccer,” said a FOX Sports spokesperson.
FXX will focus on comedy alongside sister channels FX and FXM (FX movies). FX says their FXX network will be available in 74 million homes and will feature TV shows such as “It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia” and “The League.”
According to the Los Angeles Times, “FX was mum on how it will be able to launch in so many homes, but News Corp. executives have been telling pay-TV distributors that it is considering converting [FOX Soccer] into FXX.”
There are still several questions to answer. FOX Soccer is currently in approximately half of the 74 million homes that FXX touted this morning. Plus, even when FOX Soccer does formally close its doors, the question remains regarding what the future for FOX Soccer Plus will be, and whether FOX Soccer 2Go will morph into FOX Sports GO.
FOX Soccer is still alive but on life support. It’s too early to say “RIP FOX Soccer” until the future of the network is officially confirmed.
