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Fox Networks Group Benelux

From Alfawiki
Fox Networks Group
Company typeDivision (former)
IndustryTelevision broadcasting and distribution
Founded1993
FounderRupert Murdoch
Defunct2019
FateAssets split between The Walt Disney Company and Fox Corporation
Headquarters
United States
Area served
Worldwide (more than 1.7 billion households)
Key people
Peter Rice (CEO), Randy Freer (COO), Uday Shankar (President Asia-Pacific)
ProductsTelevision networks and channels including Fox, FX Networks, National Geographic, BabyTV; video on demand platforms Fox Now, Fox Play, Fox Plus
ParentNews Corporation (1993–2013), 21st Century Fox (2013–2019)

Fox Networks Group (FNG) served as the television networks division for News Corporation and subsequently 21st Century Fox from 1993 until 2019. It oversaw the creation, broadcasting, and distribution of various brands such as Fox, Fox Sports International, Fox Sports, FX Networks, National Geographic, and BabyTV throughout the United States and to more than 1.7 billion households globally. Additionally, FNG operated multiple video on demand platforms including Fox Now, Fox Play, and Fox Plus.

Within the United States, FNG’s operations encompassed Fox Television Group (Fox and 20th Century Fox Television), Fox Cable Networks, Fox Sports Media Group, Fox News Group, National Geographic Partners, and Fox Networks Digital Consumer Group. Up to 2016, it co-managed Fox International Channels before fully integrating them into FNG.

Following the completion of 21st Century Fox’s acquisition by the Walt Disney Company on March 20, 2019, FNG's assets were split between Disney and the successor entity, Fox Corporation. Disney reinstated the Walt Disney Television name for its networks division (previously known as Disney–ABC Television Group) and reorganized its international networks segment—formerly Disney International Operations, later Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International (DMED)—to incorporate non-U.S. operations. In 2021, Walt Disney Television was renamed Disney General Entertainment Content, while DMED was dissolved in 2023 with its functions transferred to Disney's newest division, Disney Entertainment. The channels underwent rebranding under either the FX or the Star Channel banners and came under management by Disney’s regional international subsidiaries. The final phase of Fox channel rebranding took place in Spain on March 11, 2024.

Establishment and Growth

In 1993, Australian-American media entrepreneur Rupert Murdoch acquired Hong Kong-based commercial broadcaster Star TV to establish Fox International Channels (FIC) as the global extension of the American Fox TV channel and related media ventures under his News Corporation umbrella. Murdoch subsequently renamed Star TV to Fox Networks Group Asia Pacific (later known as Disney Networks Group Asia Pacific). In 1997, FIC broadened its content production capabilities by acquiring NHNZ, a documentary producer affiliated with Singapore’s Beach House Pictures.

FIC entered the Spanish market in 2001 launching Fox followed by National Geographic Channel, Fox Crime, and Fox Life. The FX289 channel debuted in January 2004 across the UK and Ireland, rebranding to FX in 2005 and later adopting the Fox name in 2013.

By early 2006, FIC collaborated with Argentine producer Ernesto Sandler to create Fox Toma 1. In 2007, it secured a controlling interest in Colombia’s Telecolombia, renaming it Fox Telecolombia to strengthen Spanish-language original content for Latin American and U.S. audiences. That same year, FIC gained majority ownership of international operations for Israeli channel BabyTV.

The Argentinian lifestyle channel Utilisima, acquired by FIC in 2007, expanded its reach internationally with feeds covering Latin America, Canada, Spain, New Zealand, Australia, and the U.S. (introduced May 2010). It was later rebranded as MundoFox in 2013 and subsequently transformed into Nat Geo Kids in Latin America by July 2017.

In May 2008, National Geographic Channels International launched several sister channels in India before relaunching them under the Fox brand by June 2010.

FIC took a controlling stake in UK property channel Real Estate TV in January 2008. April of that year saw the introduction of Fox Next in Portugal targeting adults aged between 25 and 44. In March 2008, FIC partnered with Rotana Media Services to launch Fox Movies and Fox Series for the Middle East market; this was followed by a joint venture with Rotana distributing Disney and ABC content. In July 2009, FIC teamed with Abu Dhabi Media Company to establish National Geographic Abu Dhabi Channel.

Mid-2008 marked the launch of Fox Inkubation aimed at developing animation pilots; however, this initiative was discontinued by 2012 without producing any series.

Starting in 2004, FIC rolled out Fox Life across various regions including Europe and Asia Pacific; notably, a Greek version premiered in December 2008.

An independent sales and marketing firm was founded in Tallinn, Estonia in June 2009; this was complemented by a regional office established in March 2011 led by managing director Karoli Kindriks.

In August 2009, News Corporation restructured its Asia-Pacific subsidiary Star TV into Star India and Star Greater China; Star India managed Fox-branded channels within India while Star TV assumed representation duties for FIC’s regional channels.

By March 2010, FIC centralized its Middle East and North Africa operations based out of Abu Dhabi while expanding NHNZ’s presence there. In May that year, FIC invested in South African production company Aquavision.

A joint venture with Jan Dekker Holdings launched Dutch food channel 24Kitchen in June 2010; full ownership was obtained by FIC in November 2014.

FIC Nordic introduced Fox Crime Norway in April 2011. The Finnish free-to-air channel Suomi TV was acquired in January 2012 and subsequently rebranded as Fox featuring expanded programming including The Walking Dead.

On July 1, 2011, Fox Movies debuted on pay television in Portugal as well as free-to-air TV in Angola and Mozambique. Later that year in October, FIC purchased Spanish travel channel Viajar.

In January 2012, a partnership between FIC and RCN Televisión launched MundoFox—a Spanish-language terrestrial network—in the U.S.; however, Fox withdrew from this venture by 2015 when it was renamed MundoMax before ultimately shutting down late in 2016.

By May 2012, FIC Latin America increased its shareholding to become sole owner of LAPTV—operator of The Film Zone, Cinecanal, and Moviecity—by October 2013. LAPTV’s assets were merged into FIC Latin America; Moviecity was rebranded as Fox+ in November 2014.

Former president of Fox Networks Group David Haslingden's Racat Group acquired NHNZ and Beach House Pictures from Fox in October 2012. Portugal-based Fluid Youth Culture purchased Fuel TV by January 2013. In July that year, Fox Crime Norway was replaced by Fox Network; Eredivisie Live rebranded as Fox Sports Eredivisie featuring channels named Fox Sports 1–3. French-language Nat Geo channels expanded into Africa mid-2013.

In November 2013, FIC acquired Setanta Sports’ African operations—Zuku Sports (East Africa), Setanta Africa (English/French), and Setanta Action—rebranding two channels as Fox Sports ahead of the football season starting August 2014.

By 2014, following Star Select's regional closure, FIC took over distribution of Star World, Star Movies, National Geographic-branded channels, various Fox-branded channels, Channel V International, Baby TV, and Sky News across the Middle East.

Fox Television Group was created under the umbrella of Fox Networks Group in July 2014 consolidating broadcast assets such as Fox Broadcasting Company and 20th Television. That June also saw The Jackal Group formed alongside Gail Berman to develop programming across multiple channels.

In July 2014 DNA Films collaborated with Fox Networks Group to establish DNA TV Limited securing global-first rights for co-financed series managed by Eric Schrier at FX Networks.

October 2014 witnessed the replacement of Fox Crime Spain with FoxLife; Turkey’s pay-TV and free-to-air operations were merged later that year. A new Fox-branded channel launched on Sweden’s Com Hem platform during Q3.

FIC finalized full ownership of Dutch food channel joint venture 24Kitchen on November 27 while closing its production facility.

A&E Networks assumed complete control over Italy’s History channel from FIC Italy in December 2013. Nat Geo Adventure was relaunched as Nat Geo People across Asia-Pacific early 2014. On October 1, 2015 FIC UK introduced YourTV targeting female audiences on Freeview/YouView; it ceased operations on September 27, 2019.

In September 2015 a $725 million joint venture called National Geographic Partners was established between 21st Century Fox and National Geographic Society managing commercial activities including U.S. domestic/international National Geographic channels; however advertisement sales and distribution remained under control of Fox Networks Group.

January 2016 marked a significant restructuring: FIC ceased to exist as an independent entity; its regional divisions were integrated into Fox Networks Group reporting directly to CEO Peter Rice and COO Randy Freer at headquarters located in the U.S. These divisions were renamed as Fox Networks Group Europe, Latin America, and Asia collectively identified within corporate filings as Fox Networks Group International.

On December 5, 2017 Uday Shankar—then chairman/CEO of Star India—was appointed president for Asia-Pacific at Fox Networks Group responsible for television and online video platforms across the region; this position reported directly to Shankar rather than U.S.-based executives. This organizational change did not impact film operations under 20th Century Fox.

Disney acquisition and subsequent shutdown

On December 14, 2017, The Walt Disney Company revealed its intention to purchase the majority of 21st Century Fox's assets, which encompassed FX Networks, a share in National Geographic Partners, and Fox Networks Group's global operations. The Murdoch family maintained control over Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox Television Stations, the U.S. Fox Sports divisions, Fox News Channel, and Fox Business Network by establishing the new entity Fox Corporation. Although Disney took ownership of the regional Fox Sports Networks, the U.S. Department of Justice mandated their divestment within 90 days due to Disney's existing ownership of ESPN.

On April 10, 2018, the European Commission conducted an unexpected inspection at Fox Networks Group's London offices as part of an antitrust investigation concerning sports broadcast rights.

Following the spin-off of Fox Corporation from 21st Century Fox on March 19, 2019, which began trading on the Nasdaq, Disney finalized its acquisition of 21st Century Fox the next day. This transaction resulted in the dissolution of Fox Networks Group as an independent division. Disney restructured its television holdings by placing FX Networks and U.S.-based National Geographic channels under Walt Disney Television, while merging 20th Century Fox Television and Fox 21 Television Studios into Disney Television Studios. Peter Rice, former CEO of Fox Networks Group, was appointed Chairman of Walt Disney Television. Meanwhile, international Fox operations were merged into Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer and International (later renamed Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution).

On January 17, 2020, Disney officially removed the "Fox" branding from film divisions such as 20th Century Studios and Searchlight Pictures. Following this rebranding, several former Fox Networks Group channels were shuttered due to waning viewership and to better allocate resources toward Disney+. The remaining international Fox-branded channels were renamed as either Star Channel or FX Channels, except in Japan and Turkey where they were relaunched under revived names like Dlife and Now, marking the end of the Fox Networks Group brand identity.

Fox Television Group

National Geographic Partners

Moved to Disney General Entertainment Content A collaboration with the National Geographic Society where Fox possessed a 73% stake

FX Networks

Moved to Disney General Entertainment Content

Fox Sports Media Group

Fox Television Stations Group

Transferred to Fox Corporation

Fox News Group

Transferred to Fox Corporation

International

Country Subsidiary Fox Fox Crime Fox Comedy Fox Life Fox Sports Fox Movies National Geographic Nat Geo Wild Nat Geo People BabyTV Other
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Fox Networks Group Italy SARL Template:Ya Template:Ya Template:Ya Template:Ya Template:Ya Template:Na Template:Ya Template:Ya Template:Na Template:Ya
Fox Networks Group Bulgaria EOOD Template:Ya Template:Ya Template:Na Template:Ya Template:Na Template:Na Template:Na Template:Na Template:Ya Template:Ya 24Kitchen
Fox Networks Group Serbia
  • Albania
  • Croatia
  • Macedonia
  • Serbia
  • Slovenia
  • Croatia
  • Serbia
  • Slovenia
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  • Croatia
  • Macedonia
  • Serbia
  • Slovenia
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  • Croatia
  • Macedonia
  • Serbia
  • Slovenia
  • Croatia
  • Macedonia
  • Serbia
  • Slovenia
  • Albania
  • Croatia
  • Serbia
  • Slovenia
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Fox Networks Group Hungary Template:Ya Template:Na Template:Na Template:Na Template:Na Template:Na Template:Ya Template:Ya Romania Template:Ya
Fox Networks Group France SA Template:Na Template:Na Template:Na Template:Ya Template:Na Template:Na Template:Ya Template:Ya Template:Na Template:Ya Voyage
Fox Networks Group Greece Template:Ya Template:Na Template:Na Template:Ya Template:Ya Template:Na Template:Ya Template:Ya Template:Na Template:Ya FX
Fox Networks Group Russia
  • Estonia
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Belarus
  • Russia
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  • Estonia
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Belarus
  • Russia
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  • Estonia
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Belarus
  • Russia
  • Estonia
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Belarus
  • Russia
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Fox Networks Group Polska Sp. z o.o. Template:Ya Template:Na Template:Ya Template:Na Template:Na Template:Na Template:Ya Template:Ya Template:Ya Template:Ya
Fox Networks Group (Finland) Oy Template:Ya Template:Na Template:Na Template:Na Template:Na Template:Na Template:Ya Template:Ya = na = ya
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Fox Networks Digital Consumer Group

The Fox Networks Digital Consumer Group (FNDCG) operated as a segment of 21st Century Fox. After the acquisition by Disney, the services FX Now and Nat Geo TV were integrated into Walt Disney Television (currently known as Disney General Entertainment Content). Meanwhile, Fox Now became part of Fox Corporation, and Fox Sports Go—now recognized as the FanDuel Sports Network app—was divested to Diamond Sports Group, a collaborative enterprise between Sinclair Broadcast Group and Allen Media Group.

Unit Transferred to
FXNOW Disney General Entertainment Content
Nat Geo TV
Fox Now Fox Corporation
Fox Sports Go (now FanDuel Sports Network app) Acquired by Diamond Sports Group, a partnership between Sinclair Broadcast Group and Allen Media Group

Fox Networks Group Content Distribution

Functioning under Fox Networks Group, Fox Networks Group Content Distribution was responsible for the worldwide distribution of both scripted and unscripted shows and formats.

Fox Networks Engineering & Operations

The technical infrastructure for Fox Networks Group was overseen by Fox Networks Engineering & Operations (Fox NE&O). This division operated facilities located in Los Angeles, The Woodlands, and Charlotte. Its origins trace back to MetroTape West under Metromedia, later transitioning to Fox Tape, then Fox Digital with the establishment of the digital Fox Network Center at the Century City campus of 20th Century Fox. Founded on April 20, 2004, Fox NE&O supplied master control services and partnered with Fox Sports in developing production technologies such as the Ventuz-driven FoxBox graphics system and broadcast studio operations.

Fox Global Networks

As a component of Fox Networks Group, Fox Global Networks was tasked with the distribution and promotion of Fox Networks Group’s U.S.-based content.

Fox Media

Fox Media specialized in creating innovative advertising sales strategies, including native advertising and branded content initiatives across various media platforms.

Fox Hispanic Media

The division known as Fox Hispanic Media focused on managing advertising sales for Fox’s Spanish-language properties.

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