Fox Networks Group Italy
| Company type | Division |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television broadcasting |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Defunct | 2019 |
| Fate | Assets split between The Walt Disney Company and Fox Corporation |
| Headquarters | United States |
Area served | Worldwide (over 1.7 billion households) |
Key people | Peter Rice (CEO), Randy Freer (COO), Uday Shankar (President Asia-Pacific) |
| Products | Television networks including Fox, Fox Sports, FX Networks, National Geographic, BabyTV; video-on-demand platforms Fox Now, Fox Play, Fox Plus |
| Parent | News Corporation (1993–2013), 21st Century Fox (2013–2019) |
Fox Networks Group (FNG) served as the television networks division initially of News Corporation and subsequently 21st Century Fox, functioning from 1993 until 2019. The division was responsible for overseeing the creation, airing, and global distribution of various prominent brands such as Fox, Fox Sports International, Fox Sports, FX Networks, National Geographic, and BabyTV. Its reach extended throughout the United States and to more than 1.7 billion households worldwide. Additionally, FNG operated several video-on-demand platforms including Fox Now, Fox Play, and Fox Plus.
Within the United States, FNG encompassed several subdivisions: Fox Television Group (comprising Fox and 20th Century Fox Television), Fox Cable Networks, Fox Sports Media Group, Fox News Group, National Geographic Partners, and the Fox Networks Digital Consumer Group. Until 2016, it co-managed Fox International Channels before fully integrating those operations.
After the acquisition of 21st Century Fox by the Walt Disney Company in March 2019, the assets of Fox Networks Group were split between Disney and the newly formed Fox Corporation. Disney reinstated the Walt Disney Television brand for its networks division (previously known as Disney–ABC Television Group) and restructured its international networks segment (formerly Disney International Operations) to incorporate FNG’s overseas units. This reorganized entity was named Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International, which was later dissolved in 2023 with its assets absorbed into Disney Entertainment. Under Disney’s regional subsidiaries, these channels were rebranded as either FX or the Star Channel. The final rebranding of a Fox channel took place in Spain on March 11, 2024.
Establishment and Growth
In 1993, Australian media tycoon Rupert Murdoch acquired Hong Kong’s commercial broadcaster Star TV to establish Fox International Channels (FIC), intended to expand the American Fox television channel along with associated multimedia ventures owned by News Corporation. Murdoch subsequently renamed Star TV as Fox Networks Group Asia Pacific (later becoming Disney Networks Group Asia Pacific). In 1997, FIC purchased NHNZ, a documentary production company that held interests in Singapore-based Beach House Pictures.
FIC entered the Spanish market in 2001 with the launch of Fox, followed by additional channels such as National Geographic Channel, Fox Crime, and Fox Life.
January 2004 saw FIC introduce FX289 in the UK and Ireland; this channel was rebranded as FX in April 2005 and later renamed Fox in January 2013.
Early in 2006, FIC collaborated with Argentine producer Ernesto Sandler to create Fox Toma 1. By June 2007, FIC had acquired a controlling interest in Colombian production house Telecolombia—renamed Fox Telecolombia—to enhance Spanish-language programming for audiences in Latin America and the United States. In September of that year, FIC gained majority ownership of international operations for Israeli channel BabyTV.
The Argentinian lifestyle channel Utilisima, originally launched in 1996, was purchased by FIC in 2007. An American version debuted in May 2010 before being rebranded as Fox Life US. This channel expanded internationally with Portuguese versions distributed across Latin America, Canada, Spain, New Zealand, Australia, and the US. In 2013 it adopted the name MundoFox outside Brazil and was later renamed Nat Geo Kids in July 2017.
Starting May 2008, National Geographic Channels International introduced sister channels Nat Geo Wild and Nat Geo People in India; these were relaunched alongside FX and BabyTV by FIC in June 2010.
In January 2008, FIC secured a controlling stake in UK’s Real Estate TV (RETV). By April that year, it launched Fox Next in Portugal aimed at adults aged between 25 and 44. On March 8, 2008, a partnership with Rotana Media Services led to the debut of Fox Movies and Fox Series across the Middle East. Through a joint venture with Disney focused on content distribution, Fox also invested in Rotana. In July 2009, National Geographic Abu Dhabi was launched via collaboration with Abu Dhabi Media Company.
Mid-2008 marked the creation of Fox Inkubation by Fox Broadcasting and 20th Television to develop animation pilots; however, this initiative concluded by 2012.
By December 2008, FIC had rolled out Fox Life throughout Italy, the Balkans, Bulgaria, Japan, Korea, Latin America, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Turkey, and Greece—with Greek-language dubbing provided.
An independent sales agency was established in Tallinn, Estonia in June 2009; subsequently a Baltic regional office opened there in March 2011 under the oversight of Fox International Channels Nordic & Baltic Managing Director.
On August 19, 2009, News Corporation reorganized Star TV into Star India and Star Greater China; Star assumed responsibility for representing FIC’s channels across Asia-Pacific while Star India managed Fox-branded channels within India.
In March 2010, FIC relocated its Middle East and North Africa operations to Abu Dhabi while expanding NHNZ’s presence there. It also launched an online advertising network business serving this region. By May of that year, FIC acquired a stake in Johannesburg-based production company Aquavision managed by NHNZ.
June 2010 saw FIC enter into a joint venture with Jan Dekker Holdings to operate Dutch channel 24Kitchen, acquiring full ownership by November 2014.
FIC Nordic introduced Fox Crime Norway in April 2011. In January 2012 it purchased Finnish free-to-air broadcaster Suomi TV which was rebranded as Fox later that year with an expanded lineup including series like The Walking Dead.
On July 1 2011, Fox Movies debuted on pay television platforms in Portugal as well as free-to-air services in Angola and Mozambique. Later that year on October 27 FIC acquired Spanish travel channel Viajar from PRISA.
January 23 2012 marked a partnership between FIC and RCN Televisión to launch Spanish-language terrestrial network MundoMax (initially MundoFox) targeting US audiences; however, Fox withdrew from this venture in 2015 prior to the channel’s closure in November 2016.
In May 2012 FIC Latin America increased its shareholding to full ownership of LAPTV—which operated The Film Zone, Cinecanal and Moviecity—by October 2013; Moviecity was relaunched as Fox+ in November 2014.
David Haslingden’s Racat Group acquired NHNZ and Beach House Pictures from Fox in October 2012. Portugal-based Fluid Youth Culture took over Fuel TV by January 2013. On July 1 2013 Fox Crime Norway was replaced by Fox Network; Eredivisie Live was rebranded as Fox Sports Eredivisie with channels renamed Fox Sports 1 through 3. During Q3 2013 French-language Nat Geo channels expanded their footprint into Africa via satellite providers.
On November 6 2013 FIC purchased three Setanta Sports African channels relaunching two as Fox Sports and Fox Sports 2 ahead of the football season.
In 2014 FIC assumed distribution responsibilities for Star World, Star Movies, National Geographic-branded channels alongside various Fox-branded channels including Channel V International, Baby TV and Sky News across the Middle East following closure of Star Select.
July 2014 witnessed formation of Fox Television Group within Fox Networks Group alongside a programming development partnership with Gail Berman’s The Jackal Group.
That same month saw collaboration between Fox Networks Group and DNA Films resulting in DNA TV Limited—aimed at securing global-first rights on co-financed productions under Eric Schrier’s leadership.
October 2014 brought replacement of Fox Crime Spain by FoxLife; Turkey consolidated its pay-TV and free-to-air operations under one entity late that year. A new Fox-branded channel launched on Sweden’s Com Hem platform during Q3.
On November 27 2014 FIC completed acquisition of full control over Dutch channel joint venture 24Kitchen, closing down its production facility.
Earlier on December 9 2013 A&E Networks assumed full ownership of Italian History channel from FIC Italy. Early 2014 saw relaunch of Nat Geo Adventure Asia-Pacific as Nat Geo People. On October 1 2015,Fox International Channels UK introduced YourTV targeting female viewers on Freeview/YouView platforms; it ceased operations on September 27 2019.
September 2015 marked a strategic alliance between Fox and National Geographic Society forming National Geographic Partners responsible for commercial ventures encompassing domestic/international National Geographic channels; advertisement sales and distribution remained under control of Fox Networks Group.
January 2016 involved significant restructuring: FIC was merged into Fox Networks Group with regional leaders reporting directly to CEO Peter Rice and COO Randy Freer at US headquarters. Formerly independent international divisions were reorganized into regional units—Europe/Latin America/Asia—under the umbrella of Fox Networks Group effectively dissolving FIC as an autonomous entity within 21st Century Fox.
On December 5 2017,Uday Shankar, then chairman & CEO of Star India, was appointed president for Asia-Pacific at Fox Networks Group overseeing television broadcasting along with online video platforms throughout the region. Regional executives reported directly to Shankar without impacting film division leadership 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 included FX Networks, a portion of National Geographic Partners, and the international branches of Fox Networks Group. The Murdoch family maintained control over Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox Television Stations, American Fox Sports divisions, Fox News Channel, and Fox Business Network through the establishment of the new entity Fox Corporation. Although Disney acquired the regional Fox Sports Networks, the U.S. Department of Justice required their divestment within 90 days because Disney already held a controlling stake in ESPN.
On April 10, 2018, officials from the European Commission conducted an unexpected inspection at Fox Networks Group’s London headquarters as part of an antitrust investigation concerning the rights to broadcast sports events.
Fox Corporation was separated from 21st Century Fox and began trading publicly on the Nasdaq on March 19, 2019. The next day, Disney finalized its purchase of 21st Century Fox, leading to the dissolution of Fox Networks Group as an independent entity. FX Networks and U.S.-based National Geographic channels were absorbed into Walt Disney Television, while 20th Century Fox Television and Fox 21 Television Studios merged into Disney Television Studios. Peter Rice, then CEO of Fox Networks Group, was named Chairman of Walt Disney Television. Additionally, Fox Networks' international operations were integrated with Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer and International, which was later rebranded as Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution.
On January 17, 2020, Disney removed the "Fox" branding from film divisions such as 20th Century Studios and Searchlight Pictures, although no immediate modifications were made to Fox Networks Group’s branding. Shortly thereafter, due to falling viewership and a strategic emphasis on Disney+, Disney began shuttering multiple Fox Networks Group channels. Remaining international Fox-branded channels were rebranded as Star Channel, utilizing the Star platform, or as FX Channels, except in Japan and Turkey where the brands Dlife and Now were revived. This process effectively marked the end of the Fox Networks Group brand.
Fox Television Group
- Fox Broadcasting Company – transferred under the ownership of Fox Corporation
- 20th Century Fox Television – incorporated into the second iteration of Walt Disney Television (currently Disney General Entertainment Content)
- Fox 21 Television Studios – integrated into Disney Television Studios
- Fox Television Animation – moved to Disney Television Studios
- The original 20th Television – absorbed by Disney Television Studios
Fox Cable Networks
National Geographic Partners
Now part of Disney General Entertainment Content Fox held a 73% stake in this collaboration with the National Geographic Society
- National Geographic Global Networks
- National Geographic Media, encompassing print media, digital content, travel services, and tour operations
FX Networks
Integrated into Disney General Entertainment Content
- FX
- FXX
- FX Movie Channel
- FX Productions
- FX Entertainment
- DNA TV Limited – a joint venture operated by the team from DNA Films
Fox Sports Media Group
- Fox Sports – transferred to Fox Corporation along with other national cable channels and the Big Ten Network
- Fox Sports 1
- Fox Sports 2
- Fox Deportes
- Fox Soccer Plus
- Big Ten Network (51% ownership in partnership with the Big Ten Conference)
- Fox Sports Networks – divested to Diamond Sports Group, a joint venture between Sinclair Broadcasting Group and Allen Media Group
- Regional channels including Arizona, Detroit, Florida/Sun, Midwest (with Indiana and Kansas City subfeeds), North, Ohio/SportsTime Ohio, South/Southeast (with Carolinas and Tennessee subfeeds), Southwest (with Oklahoma and New Orleans subfeeds), West/Prime Ticket (with San Diego subfeed), Wisconsin
- YES Network (80% ownership stake)
- Fox College Sports – sold to Diamond Sports Group
- Home Team Sports advertising sales for regional sports channels plus commercial production, events, and local branding integration – acquired by Playfly Sports
- Fox Sports College Properties – college sports rights holder for Big East Conference, Michigan State, Auburn, San Diego State, Georgetown, USC, and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum – acquired by Playfly Sports
- Impression Sports & Entertainment – specializing in naming rights and event sponsorships – acquired by Playfly Sports
Fox Television Stations Group
Transferred to Fox Corporation
- Fox Television Stations
- 28 television stations
- MyNetworkTV
- 50% ownership of Movies!
Fox News Group
Transferred to Fox Corporation
International
Fox Networks Digital Consumer Group
The Fox Networks Digital Consumer Group (FNDCG) functioned as a segment within 21st Century Fox. After the acquisition involving Disney and 21CF, 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 (presently the FanDuel Sports Network app) was divested to Diamond Sports Group, a partnership between Sinclair Broadcast Group and Allen Media Group.
| Country Subsidiary | Fox | Fox Crime | Fox Comedy | Fox Life | Fox Sports | Fox Movies | National Geographic | Nat Geo Wild | Nat Geo People | BabyTV | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fox Networks Group (UK) Limited | |||||||||||
| Fox Networks Group Italy SARL | |||||||||||
| Fox Networks Group Bulgaria EOOD | 24Kitchen | ||||||||||
| Fox Networks Group Serbia | 24Kitchen | ||||||||||
| Fox Networks Group Hungary | Romania | ||||||||||
| Fox Networks Group France SA | Voyage | ||||||||||
| Fox Networks Group Greece | FX | ||||||||||
| Fox Networks Group Russia | |||||||||||
| Fox Networks Group Polska Sp. z o.o. | |||||||||||
| Fox Networks Group (Finland) Oy | |||||||||||
| Fox Networks Group Scandinavia | = na | = ya | = Xee | ||||||||
| Fox Networks Group España, S.L.U. | = ya | = na | = na | = ya | = na | = na | = ya | = ya | = na | = ya | = ublViajar |
| 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 joint venture between Sinclair Broadcast Group and Allen Media Group |
Fox Networks Group Content Distribution
Fox Networks Group Content Distribution served as the worldwide distributor of both scripted and unscripted television programs and formats, operating under the umbrella of Fox Networks Group.
Fox Networks Engineering & Operations
Fox Networks Engineering & Operations (Fox NE&O) oversaw the technical infrastructure and operational management for Fox Networks Group. Its facilities included the Fox Network Centers located in Los Angeles, the Woodlands, and Charlotte. The unit originated as MetroTape West under Metromedia, later transitioning through Fox Tape and Fox Digital as it relocated to the Fox Network Center on the Century City campus of 20th Century Fox. Established as an official division on April 20, 2004, Fox NE&O offered master control services and partnered with Fox Sports to develop production technology such as the Ventuz-based FoxBox graphics system and enhancements to broadcast studios.
Fox Global Networks
Fox Global Networks operated as the international marketing and distribution branch of Fox Networks Group, handling the global dissemination of content produced by Fox Networks Group USA.
Fox Media
Fox Media specialized in creating innovative advertising sales collaborations across multiple platforms, focusing on native advertising solutions and branded content initiatives.
Fox Hispanic Media
Fox Hispanic Media was responsible for managing advertising sales efforts for Fox's portfolio of Spanish-language media properties.