Murdoch-controlled Fox Corporation to become owner of popular streaming company, known for its streaming devices and TVs.
- Fox reaches into over 100 million homes worldwide
- Regulators to have final say over deal
- Roku reassures users that it will continue to be an open, partner-friendly platform
The Murdoch media empire has taken another major step in its push into streaming, announcing this week that Fox Corporation will acquire Roku in a deal valued at $22 billion. The move builds on Fox’s 2020 purchase of the ad‑supported streaming service Tubi.
Lachlan Murdoch, CEO of Fox Corp and son of Rupert Murdoch, described the acquisition as a “defining moment for Fox”. Anthony Wood, founder and CEO of Roku said he “couldn’t be more excited” about what the combined business will accomplish.
In a joint statement, Fox and Roku said they were committed to “continuing to operate Roku as an open, partner‑friendly platform”. For now, Roku users are not expected to see any immediate changes to their service.
The deal brings together Fox’s extensive US portfolio of sports, news and entertainment programming with Tubi’s streaming app and Roku’s dominant hardware and platform ecosystem. Combined, the companies reach more than 100 million households worldwide.
Regulatory approval in the United States is still required. The takeover is expected to face scrutiny over its potential impact on content distribution and streaming aggregation. If approved, the merger would make Fox the third‑largest player in the US by share of total viewing.
In the UK, Roku is well-known for its range of streaming devices that easily upgrade an existing TV with a large range of streaming apps. It now offers a range of smart TVs with access to its connected TV platform built-in.
From traditional linear pay TV to streaming
The companies once controlled by Rupert Murdoch were long associated with major stakes in traditional linear pay‑TV services around the world. That included a 39% holding in Sky until 2018, when the broadcaster was sold to Comcast. Foxtel, the Australian equivalent was sold to DAZN in late 2024.
Today, the Murdoch empire is organised under two primary entities: News Corp and Fox Corp. Lachlan Murdoch assumed control of both companies after his siblings ceded their voting rights in an out‑of‑court succession agreement in September 2025.
News Corp’s UK arm, News UK, continues to operate a significant portfolio of newspapers and digital radio stations.
By: Marc Thornham | Image: Roku