FX Snatches Up the TV Rights to Air Straight Outta Compton

Continues movie spending spree

Though it's not clear how much of the 147 minutes FX will be able to show on basic cable, the company said today it has acquired exclusive U.S. commercial television premiere rights to Straight Outta Compton.

The biopic about late-1980s/early-1990s hip-hop group N.W.A—which launched the careers of Ice Cube and Dr. Dre—was the top-grossing movie this weekend with a $60.2 million opener. That's the fifth-highest August premiere ever.

Airing the profanity-laden film will certainly be a challenge for the network's censors, though that hasn't stopped cable channels in the past from buying rights to hard R-rated films that aren't exactly family friendly.

AW+

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Spring Special

Save 30% Off an ADWEEK Subscription Today!

View Your Options

Already a member? Sign in