The media world offers many streaming services, and now it will also have Fox One.
The new broadband outlet, a venue that offers Fox Corp.’s Sunday-afternoon NFL games and post-season MLB play along with Fox News programs and more, will debut August 21, according to Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch, who said during an investor call Tuesday that the company would charge $19.99 per month for the new service.
Fox will launch the new service at a heady time. Disney’s ESPN is also set to debut a new direct-to-consumer service, and use it to drive consumers to expand their use of the company’s streaming properties, which also include Hulu and Disney+. Disney is widely expected to offer details of a new business alliance between the National Football League and ESPN when it unveils its earnings on Wednesday.
Fox has no intent of abandoning its traditional linear audience, Murdoch said, but sees a new group of consumers who crave the company’s programming but do not subscribe to cable or satellite services. He said all Fox programming would be made available on Fox One, and noted that linear Fox subscribers would be able to access the service without paying additional charges.
“We have long said that we aspire to engage with our viewers, wherever suits them best. The traditional cable bundle remains our favorite distribution channel, as we believe it continues to provide exceptional value to consumers,” Murdoc said during the call. Fox One aims for “another important audience segment, those wanting a paid, targeted offering encompassing all Fox brands.”
More to come…