Fox to Launch Direct-to-Consumer Streaming Service ‘Fox One’ Ahead of NFL Season

Fox Corp. is set to launch its new direct-to-consumer streaming service, named Fox One, in time for the upcoming National Football League (NFL) season later this year, CNBC reports.

The service will offer a comprehensive range of content from Fox, including news, sports, and entertainment.

The announcement was made by Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch during a quarterly earnings call on Monday, where he revealed the name and the timing of the planned launch. While specific pricing details and the exact launch date will be disclosed in the coming months, Murdoch indicated that the pricing would align with “wholesale pricing,” similar to what pay-TV distributors pay for Fox’s channels. Additionally, traditional cable TV subscribers will receive access to Fox One at no extra cost, as part of Fox’s effort to avoid alienating its existing cable audience.

“We do not want to lose a traditional cable subscriber to Fox One,” Murdoch stated.

He emphasized that the company’s pricing strategy would ensure a balance between attracting new streaming subscribers and retaining its current cable TV base. He also mentioned that Fox intends to offer the service as part of bundles with other distributors and streaming services, and that several streaming companies had already approached Fox about potential bundling partnerships.

Fox’s quarterly earnings report showed a strong financial performance, with revenue rising to $4.37 billion, a 27% increase from the previous year. This growth was partially driven by the Super Bowl, which Fox broadcasted on its network and on its ad-supported streaming platform, Tubi. Advertising revenue during the quarter saw a significant 65% increase, reflecting the high demand for Super Bowl ad space, with some spots selling for $8 million each.

Although Fox has previously offered the Fox Nation streaming service and the free, ad-supported Tubi platform, it has not yet provided a direct-to-consumer service encompassing all of its content. The launch of Fox One will mark the company’s formal entry into the direct-to-consumer streaming market, filling a gap left by competitors such as Warner Bros. Discovery and Disney, both of which already offer sports streaming apps like Max and ESPN+, respectively.

Fox’s decision to launch Fox One comes after the company, alongside Warner Bros. Discovery and Disney, abandoned the Venu project, a joint venture to create a sports streaming app. This shift paves the way for Fox to offer its full content library directly to consumers, positioning the company to compete more effectively in the growing streaming market.