DirecTV offering early FX access

In a further erosion of the decades-old model for distributing TV shows, DirecTV subscribers will be able to pay to download some Fox Entertainment Group programs to their digital video recorders up to two days before traditional broadcasts.

Starting in March, fans of the FX series “The Shield,” “Rescue Me,” “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and “30 Days” will be able to pay $2.99 for early, on-demand access provided they have DirecTV’s latest DVR.

In addition, Fox will make several of its broadcast network’s series, including “24” and “Prison Break,” available for 99 cents for up to a week after the national broadcast.

The programming will be offered as part of DirecTV’s video-on-demand service, which recently announced a deal with NBC to offer 99-cent replays of popular prime-time shows.