Fox has completed its $22 billion acquisition of streaming platform Roku, the companies announced Friday, giving Fox control of a service that reaches more than 100 million households in the United States.
First announced in June, the deal will allow Fox to bring Fox Sports, news content and local stations to Roku’s platform. Fox also operates its own Fox One streaming service and the free streaming service Tubi.
Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch said at the time of the announcement that he expected the company could grow its US viewership with a combination of Roku technology, Roku’s platform, the content on The Roku Channel and the content Fox brings to it.
Roku founder Anthony Wood said the company’s mission to give people a better way to watch TV had not changed. “What does change is our reach and resources,” Wood said. “Fox has a deep respect for Roku’s culture and wholly shares our commitment to staying open to every content partner.” Wood now serves on Fox’s board of directors.
The deal does not look like it will affect the open nature of Roku’s streaming ecosystem.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Fox gains direct control over a major streaming platform, potentially shaping what content millions of US viewers see.
- The acquisition signals continued consolidation in the streaming industry, as media companies look to own both content and distribution.
- Roku users may see changes in how Fox content is prioritised, though the open platform promise remains.
Background
Fox is a US media conglomerate that owns the Fox broadcast network, Fox News, Fox Sports and the free streaming service Tubi. Roku, founded in 2002, is a leading streaming device and platform maker with a large installed base in US households. The deal, announced in June 2026 and closed in November, is one of the largest in the streaming sector.
Key Perspectives
Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch: said he expects to grow US viewership by combining Roku’s technology and platform with Fox’s content.
Roku founder Anthony Wood: said the company’s mission is unchanged and that Fox shares its commitment to remaining open to all content partners.
What to Watch
- How Fox integrates its sports and news content into Roku’s interface and whether it changes the prominence of rival services.
- Whether the open-platform commitment holds as Fox seeks to maximise its own content’s reach.
- Regulatory or competitive responses in the US streaming market.
