Fox Sports 1

Fox Sports 1
Name	Fox Sports 1
Country	United States
Headquarters	Los Angeles, California
Network	Fox Corporation
Owner	Fox Sports Media Group
Sister channels	Fox Sports 2, Fox Deportes, Big Ten Network
Launched	17 August 2013
Replaced	Speed

Fox Sports 1. It is an American pay television channel owned by the Fox Sports Media Group, a unit of Fox Corporation. Launched in August 2013, it serves as the primary national sports cable network for the Fox Broadcasting Company, positioned to compete directly with established leaders like ESPN and NBCSN. The channel's programming features a mix of live event coverage, including Major League Baseball, NASCAR, and UFC, alongside original studio shows and news commentary.

History

The channel was launched on August 17, 2013, as a strategic rebranding and repositioning of the existing motorsports-focused channel Speed. This move was orchestrated by then-parent company 21st Century Fox to create a flagship national sports network. Key early programming acquisitions included a package of Major League Baseball regular-season games and a renewed, extensive deal with the UFC. The network's creation was part of a broader expansion that also saw the launch of Fox Sports 2 and a significant investment in the Fox Sports Live studio highlight show, aiming to challenge SportsCenter. Over the years, it has secured rights to properties like NASCAR Cup Series races, FIFA World Cup coverage, and United States Football League games, continually evolving its portfolio.

Programming

Its live sports programming is diverse, anchored by long-term agreements with major leagues. It holds rights to NASCAR races, including select events from the NASCAR Cup Series, and broadcasts Major League Baseball games regularly, including the MLB All-Star Game and MLB postseason contests. The channel is also the primary cable home for the UFC, airing numerous UFC Fight Night events. Other notable event coverage includes FIFA tournaments, College football from the Big Ten Conference and Pac-12 Conference, and Professional wrestling from WWE's SmackDown until 2019. Studio programming has included shows like Skip and Shannon: Undisputed, The Herd with Colin Cowherd, and Speak for Yourself.

On-air personalities

The network has featured a roster of prominent commentators and analysts drawn from various sports. Notable personalities have included Joe Buck, who called Major League Baseball and NFL games, and Curt Menefee, host of Fox NFL Sunday. Studio debate and talk shows have been led by figures like Skip Bayless, Shannon Sharpe, and Colin Cowherd. Michael Strahan, a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, has also contributed. In motorsport coverage, analysts such as Larry McReynolds and Darrell Waltrip have been featured, while UFC commentary teams have included Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier.

Ratings and viewership

Its viewership is highly event-driven, with premier live sports consistently drawing its largest audiences. High-rated broadcasts typically include NASCAR playoff races, key Major League Baseball playoff games, and major UFC pay-per-view prelims. However, its studio shows and weekday talk programming have historically drawn smaller audiences compared to competitors like ESPN's First Take. The network's ratings saw significant spikes during its coverage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2020 World Series. According to Nielsen data, it often ranks behind ESPN and FS1's broadcast network sibling, Fox Broadcasting Company, in overall sports cable viewership.

Carriage disputes

The channel has been involved in several notable carriage disputes with multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) over affiliate fees. A major blackout occurred in 2019 with Dish Network, which lasted for several months and affected millions of subscribers, also involving sister channels like Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network. Other disputes have included temporary removals from Charter Spectrum and Altice USA systems. These conflicts are common in the industry, as parent Fox Corporation negotiates for higher per-subscriber fees to offset the cost of expensive sports rights deals with leagues like the UFC and Major League Baseball.

High-definition feed

The network has broadcast in high definition since its launch, with the feed widely available on most cable, satellite, and streaming providers. The HD signal is presented in a 720p resolution format, which is the standard for Fox Broadcasting Company's owned-and-operated stations and sports properties, favored for its handling of fast-action sports. The transition from the former Speed channel included an upgrade to full HD facilities for its studio productions based in Los Angeles, California. The HD feed is also simulcast on streaming platforms like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and fuboTV.

Category:Fox Sports (United States) Category:American sports television networks Category:Television channels and stations established in 2013 Category:2013 establishments in the United States