Fox plans to launch a direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service before the end of 2025. Confirmation of the plans were provided by Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch earlier today during a post-earnings call.
With details on the new streaming service very limited right now, it remains unclear when exactly it will launch, what it will be called, or how much it will cost. However, as Variety reports, the intention is for the streaming service to be “holistic” in nature.
The suggestion here being that Fox is planning a full and proper streaming service that will provide subscribers with access to its most popular content, including live news, live sports, and popular TV shows.
At the same time, it looks like Fox isn’t necessarily planning to launch the service as a replacement for its cable experience. Instead, the idea is for the service to appeal to those that aren’t currently signed up to a live TV package, and don’t plan to sign up to one either.
A similar sentiment was made in relation to Venu Sports, the now-discontinued joint venture between Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery.
While the suggestion that the launch of Venu Sports could cannibalize live TV subscriptions was one of the reasons the joint venture encountered so much resistance, there is likely to be less pressure on a standalone Fox service.
This is especially true considering Warner Bros. Discovery already operates its Max streaming service and Disney operates its Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ streaming services.
If anything, the closure of Venu Sports with no alternate option is likely what has now motivated Fox to quickly move forward with plans for its own standalone streaming service.
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