Fox Life
| Company type | Pay television channel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | May 13, 2004 |
| Founder | Fox Networks Group |
| Fate | Rebranded and discontinued in various territories |
Area served | International |
| Owner | The Walt Disney Company (since March 2019) |
Fox Life, which has since been rebranded as Star Life and FX Life, was an international pay television channel introduced by Fox Networks Group in 2004. Over the years, the channel has been discontinued in various territories.
Its programming lineup differed by region, featuring a mix of classic entertainment such as TV dramas, sitcoms, and films, along with original productions and reality-based shows. In North America, the channel mainly broadcast Spanish-dubbed versions of American reality and instructional programs. Since March 2019, ownership of the network has belonged to the International Operations segment of The Walt Disney Company.
History
The initial launch of Fox Life took place in Italy on May 13, 2004, followed by Portugal on May 19, 2005, and then Bulgaria on September 8, 2005. The channel expanded into Latin America with its introduction in Brazil in July 2006. It also extended its reach to other European markets, including the Netherlands and Flanders, where it debuted on September 7, 2009. Fox Life made its entry into the United States on November 4, 2013.
Flemish version
Because of broadcasting rights constraints in Belgium, Fox developed a distinct Flemish edition of Fox Life beginning November 22, 2011; prior to this date, the Dutch version was broadcast. As a result, the Dutch satellite platform Canal Digitaal substituted Fox Life with the Finnish feed since it shared distribution with Belgium’s TV Vlaanderen Digitaal.
Launch in Southeast Asia
On October 1, 2017, the Hong Kong and Southeast Asian feed of Star World was rebranded to Fox Life, aiming at audiences across Southeast Asia/ASEAN with content customized for regional preferences.
Rebranding/closing in Europe
Starting September 22, 2015, Fox Life was replaced by 24Kitchen for satellite viewers within the Netherlands. Meanwhile, the Finnish version of Fox Life was rebranded simply as Fox.
Fox Networks Group Benelux officially announced the discontinuation of Fox Life in the Netherlands effective December 31, 2016.
Rebranding/closing in Latin America
On November 27, 2020, Fox declared that its Latin American channels would be renamed Star Life, effective February 22, 2021. These channels ceased broadcasting on March 31, 2022, coinciding with the shutdown of the American feed.
Closing in Southeast Asia
From September 1, 2021, FOX Life along with most other Walt Disney Company channels—including Fox Crime, Fox, FX, Disney Junior, Disney Channel, Nat Geo People, and several Fox movie and sports networks—ended transmissions on Now TV Hong Kong. The network and its affiliated channels discontinued operations across Asia on September 30, 2021 as Disney shifted its focus towards direct-to-consumer streaming platforms such as Disney+ and Disney+ Hotstar.
Closing in the United States
In December 2021, Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution informed cable providers that the American Fox Life channel would be shut down on March 31, 2022.
Fox Life around the world
| Channel | Country or region | Formerly | Launch year | Replacement / Rebrand | Closure / Rebrand date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fox Life (Italy) | Italy | May 13, 2004 | ceased operations | July 1, 2020 | |
| Fox Life (Portugal) | Portugal | May 19, 2005 | Star Life | February 7, 2024 | |
| Fox Life (Latin America) | Latin America | July 1, 2005 | February 22, 2021 (as Fox Life) March 31, 2022 (as Star Life) | ||
| Fox Life (Bulgaria) | Bulgaria | September 8, 2005 | October 1, 2023 | ||
| Fox Life (France) | France | October 5, 2005 | ceased operations | December 31, 2009 | |
| Fox Life (Japan) | Japan | December 14, 2005 | Fox Sports | September 30, 2011 | |
| Fox Life (Turkey) | Turkey | November 13, 2006 | ceased operations | January 1, 2021 | |
| Fox Life (Poland) | Poland | January 1, 2007 | Fox Comedy | January 16, 2015 | |
| Fox Life Adria | Balkans | November 9, 2007 | STAR Life | October 1, 2023 | |
| Fox Life (Russia) | Baltics and CIS | April-November 2008 | (Russia) САПФИР (Baltics and CIS) FX Life |
(Russia and Belarus) October 1, 2022 (Baltics and CIS) January 24, 2024 | |
| Fox Life (Greece) | Greece | December 1, 2008 | FX Life | March 15, 2023 | |
| Fox Life (Netherlands and Flanders) | Netherlands and Flanders | September 7, 2009 | (Flanders) Fox (Netherlands) 24Kitchen |
(Flanders) September 22, 2015 (Netherlands) December 31, 2016 | |
| Fox Life (United States) | United States | November 4, 2013 | ceased operations | March 31, 2022 |
| Channel | Country or region | Formerly | Launch year | Replacement / Rebrand | Closure / Rebrand date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fox Life (India) | India | Fox Traveller | June 15, 2014 | March 15, 2025 | |
| Fox Life (Spain) | Spain | Fox Crime | October 1, 2014 | December 31, 2021 | |
| Fox Life (Africa) | Africa | October 3, 2016 | ceased operations | September 30, 2020 | |
| Fox Life (Middle East) | Middle East | September 28, 2017 | ceased operations | November 1, 2024 | |
| Fox Life (Southeast Asia and Hong Kong) | Southeast Asia and Hong Kong | Star World | October 1, 2017 | October 1, 2021 |
See also
References
- Articles with short description
- Fox Life
- Television channels and stations established in 2004
- Television channels and stations disestablished in 2024
- Television channels in North Macedonia
- Disney television networks
- Women's interest channels
- Fox Networks Group
- Defunct television channels in the Netherlands
- Defunct television channels in Belgium
- 2016 disestablishments in the Netherlands
- 2022 disestablishments in the United States