Generated by DeepSeek V3.2| Fox network | |
|---|---|
| Name | Fox |
| Country | United States |
| Headquarters | New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Key people | Lachlan Murdoch (Executive Chairman), Suzanne Scott (CEO) |
| Owner | Fox Corporation |
| Founded | 09 October 1986 |
| Picture format | 1080i HDTV |
| Language | English |
| Former names | FBC (Fox Broadcasting Company) |
Fox network. Launched on October 9, 1986, by media magnate Rupert Murdoch and former 20th Century Fox executive Barry Diller, it was conceived as a challenger to the established "Big Three" television networks: ABC, CBS, and NBC. As the flagship property of Fox Corporation, it pioneered a strategy of targeting younger demographics with edgy, innovative programming, fundamentally altering the American television landscape and growing into a major force in entertainment and news.
The network's formation was enabled by Murdoch's 1985 acquisition of Metromedia's television stations, which provided crucial initial owned-and-operated outlets in major markets like Los Angeles and Chicago. Its early programming, including the late-night show The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers and the controversial tabloid show A Current Affair, struggled for traction until the 1987 debut of the hit sketch comedy In Living Color and the seminal animated series The Simpsons in 1989. A pivotal moment came in 1993 with its acquisition of broadcast rights to the NFC package from CBS, establishing Fox NFL Sunday as a major sports brand. Subsequent decades saw expansion into news with the launch of Fox News Channel in 1996 and the creation of defining reality competition series like American Idol in 2002.
The network's schedule is built on a mix of scripted series, unscripted reality shows, animation, sports, and news. It is renowned for its long-running animated Sunday night "Animation Domination" block, featuring shows like Family Guy and Bob's Burgers. In scripted drama, it found success with series such as 24, House, and 9-1-1, while its comedy hits have included Married... with Children, Malcolm in the Middle, and New Girl. Unscripted programming is dominated by the The Masked Singer and stalwarts like Hell's Kitchen. Its sports division, Fox Sports, broadcasts marquee events including the Super Bowl, World Series, and UEFA Champions League.
It operates through a combination of owned-and-operated stations (O&Os) in major markets like New York City, Los Angeles, and Dallas, and a large network of affiliated stations. Key affiliate groups have included those owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, Nexstar Media Group, and Tegna Inc.. Unlike the traditional Big Three, it initially programmed fewer nights per week, a strategy that allowed weaker independent stations to affiliate and gain access to high-profile content. The network's signal is also distributed via national cable television and satellite television providers such as Comcast and Dish Network, and through digital platforms like Fox.com and the Fox Now app.
The network is the primary asset of Fox Corporation, a publicly traded company controlled by the Murdoch family through a class of supervoting shares. Lachlan Murdoch serves as Executive Chairman and Suzanne Scott as CEO of the Fox News Media division, which includes the broadcast network. This structure resulted from the 2019 sale of most 21st Century Fox assets, including its film studio and cable entertainment networks, to The Walt Disney Company. Fox Corporation retained the broadcast network, Fox News, Fox Sports, and the Fox Television Stations group, refocusing on live news and sports programming.
Historically, it has frequently ranked first among adults aged 18–49, a key demographic for advertisers, driven by its strength in unscripted and animated programming. Its broadcast of Super Bowl LI in 2017 was one of the most-watched television events in U.S. history. While overall viewership has declined in the era of streaming media, shows like The Masked Singer and NFL games consistently top weekly ratings. The network's news division, particularly programs like The Five and Tucker Carlson Tonight, has dominated cable news ratings for many years.
The network has been involved in numerous high-profile controversies, often related to its news and opinion programming. Fox News settled a defamation lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million in 2023 over false claims about the 2020 United States presidential election. Earlier, it faced lawsuits from former hosts like Gretchen Carlson over allegations of a toxic workplace, leading to the ouster of CEO Roger Ailes. Its entertainment division has also faced scrutiny, including disputes over the licensing fees for The Simpsons and criticism over the content of shows like Married... with Children, which sparked debates with advocacy groups like the Parents Television Council.
Category:Television networks in the United States Category:Fox Corporation Category:Television channels and stations established in 1986