Fox launches prime-time live-stream of its shows

So you think you can live-stream Fox shows? Well, you’re right: You now can.

The television network announced Monday that is launching live-streaming of its prime time programming on digital platforms in all 210 television markets in the U.S., making it the first broadcaster to make such an aggressive play in the live-streaming world.

Fox will simulcast entertainment programming seven nights a week, as well as Saturdays during late-night.

The high-profile beta launch begins Monday night with the first live performance episode of popular dance competition series “So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation.” It will continue with series such as “Wayward Pines,” “Master Chef,” ‘Hotel Hell,” “Home Free” and the award show “Teen Choice 2016.”

Series that are part of the upcoming 2016-2017 television season, including returning programs “Scream Queens” and new series “Lethal Weapon,” also will be part of the initiative.

Fox Television Group’s chairmen and chief executives Dana Walden and Gary Newman, in a joint statement, touted the network’s adaptability and approach to shifting viewing habits.

The live-stream initiative is “innovating to give viewers the convenience and flexibility to watch our programming whenever and wherever they want,” Walden and Newman said.

Live sports programming will not be included in the initiative, but such programming will continue to be available to stream via Fox Sports Go. Pay-TV subscribers can watch live on Fox.com and FOX NOW for iPhone, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire, Apple TV and Google Chromecast.

Fox’s new live-streaming capability also is expected to help Fox TV station affiliates to insert local-market advertising and display station branding.

Views from live-streaming will not be included in Nielsen ratings for Fox programming. But the numbers will be factored into audience data from multi-platforms collected by Fox, helping to further the network’s push away from live-plus same day TV ratings in favor of a more holistic number that looks at a variety of platforms to better reflect viewing trends.