Fox Corporation is officially stepping into the direct-to-consumer streaming market with the launch of its new platform, Fox One, on August 21, 2025. The launch comes just weeks before the start of the NFL season, positioning Fox to leverage one of its strongest assets: live sports.
Announced during the company’s quarterly earnings call, Fox One will be priced at $19.99 per month, while existing pay-TV subscribers will get access at no additional cost. According to CEO Lachlan Murdoch, the move signals a deliberate, though cautious, step into the increasingly crowded streaming industry.
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What Fox One Will Offer
Fox One is designed to consolidate Fox’s most valuable content under one platform. Subscribers will gain access to the entire Fox TV portfolio, including:
- Live NFL games airing on Sundays during the regular season
- MLB coverage, including the postseason
- College football, which dominates the fall broadcast calendar
- Fox News and Fox Business programming
- Additional live broadcasts carried by Fox’s national network
Unlike rivals, however, Fox One will not include original or exclusive programming. Murdoch emphasized that the service is about accessibility rather than competing on premium scripted or original shows.
“Most of the costs associated with Fox One will come from overhead, marketing, and technology,” Murdoch explained, signaling a different strategy compared to streaming competitors who invest heavily in exclusive content rights and original production.
Why Fox Took Its Time Entering Streaming
Fox has been notably slower than its peers in launching a comprehensive direct-to-consumer product. While the company already operates Fox Nation (a subscription service with lifestyle and opinion programming) and Tubi (a free, ad-supported streaming app), it has not until now offered its full portfolio directly to consumers.
The strategy reflects Fox’s unique market position. Since selling its entertainment assets to Disney in 2019, Fox’s business model has leaned heavily on sports and news programming. These categories remain more resilient against cord-cutting compared to scripted TV and entertainment, giving Fox less urgency to abandon the traditional pay-TV bundle.
Murdoch previously told investors that the company intended to price Fox One at a “healthy, not discounted” rate to avoid further undermining pay-TV partners. By charging $19.99 per month, Fox maintains premium positioning while still staying competitive in a saturated streaming market.
A Strategic Launch Before NFL Season
The timing of the launch is no coincidence. The NFL is Fox’s most valuable broadcast property, with millions of viewers tuning in weekly. The regular season kicks off September 4, making late August an ideal window to roll out Fox One.
Beyond football, Fox also benefits from MLB postseason coverage and college football, both of which ramp up in the fall. Offering fans a direct streaming option ensures that Fox does not miss out on audiences increasingly turning away from cable.
No Exclusive Content: A Different Playbook
While many streaming platforms compete by offering exclusive movies, original series, or special sports rights, Fox is taking a lean approach.
Murdoch acknowledged the difference, noting that Fox has “modest expectations” for Fox One compared to rivals like Disney’s ESPN+ or Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max. Instead of pouring billions into exclusive content, Fox aims to provide a reliable, consolidated way for fans to access its live sports and news.
This strategy could be both a strength and a weakness. On one hand, it minimizes costs and risk. On the other, it may make Fox One less appealing to subscribers who expect streaming services to deliver something unique.
Bundling and Partnerships
Murdoch also addressed the potential for bundling Fox One with other streaming services. He stressed that Fox will proceed cautiously, balancing consumer convenience with the need to protect the pay-TV ecosystem.
He identified two guiding principles:
- Offering consumers convenient packages and valuable bundles.
- Keeping Fox One targeted at a specific audience, primarily those without pay-TV subscriptions.
“Sometimes those two things conflict with each other,” Murdoch admitted. “We want to be targeted, but we also want to make it easy for our consumers and viewers to gain access to our content, whether it’s in conjunction with other services or not.”
Competition Heats Up: ESPN’s New Offering
Fox One enters the market just as competition intensifies. Disney, which already runs ESPN+, is preparing to launch a full-service ESPN streaming app this fall. At a higher price point of $29.99 per month, ESPN’s new product will give sports fans an even broader range of coverage.
This direct clash underscores the shifting dynamics of sports broadcasting. Networks once heavily reliant on cable are now pivoting to ensure they capture digital-first audiences. For Fox, which has fewer entertainment assets compared to Disney, the focus is squarely on maximizing sports and news.
Financial Performance Supports the Move
Fox’s decision comes against the backdrop of solid financial results. The company reported $3.29 billion in revenue for its most recent quarter, up 6% from the same period last year.
Despite challenges in the broader advertising market, Fox’s ad revenue rose 7%. The company credited this growth to:
- Stronger ratings at Fox News
- Higher pricing power for ads
- Continued growth from Tubi
- Offsetting declines from the absence of major international soccer events
The combination of steady revenue and expanding digital opportunities positions Fox to make Fox One a sustainable, if modest, streaming entrant.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is Fox One streaming service?
Fox One is Fox Corporation’s new direct-to-consumer streaming platform launching on August 21, 2025. It provides access to Fox’s entire TV portfolio, including live sports, Fox News, and Fox Business.
How much does Fox One cost?
The monthly subscription price is $19.99. Existing pay-TV subscribers will receive free access to Fox One.
What content will Fox One include?
Subscribers will be able to stream live NFL games, MLB postseason, college football, Fox News, Fox Business, and other Fox network broadcasts.
Does Fox One offer original or exclusive content?
No. Unlike many competitors, Fox One will not provide exclusive series or original shows. Its focus is on live sports and news programming.
Can I watch NFL games on Fox One?
Yes. Fox One includes all NFL games broadcast by Fox during the regular season and playoffs.
Will Fox One include MLB coverage?
Yes. Fox One will stream MLB postseason games and other MLB programming carried on Fox’s broadcast network.
Is Fox One free for cable or satellite TV subscribers?
Yes. If you already pay for a TV bundle that includes Fox, you’ll get Fox One at no additional cost.
Conclusion
Fox One’s launch on August 21, 2025, signals Fox Corporation’s careful but decisive move into direct-to-consumer streaming. At $19.99 per month, the platform focuses on what Fox does best — live sports and news — rather than chasing costly originals. By offering free access to pay-TV subscribers and launching just ahead of the NFL season, Fox positions itself to capture sports fans and news viewers seeking flexible options. While competition from services like ESPN looms large, Fox One’s strategy reflects a pragmatic approach: deliver core value, avoid overextension, and adapt to shifting viewing habits without abandoning the pay-TV ecosystem.
