Was Fox News Bought by Disney? Clearing Up the Misconceptions

Understanding the Relationship Between Fox News and Disney

Continuing the discussion on media ownership and the intricate business deals, the question of whether Fox News was bought by Disney is a common misconception. Let's clarify the facts surrounding this topic and provide answers to frequently asked questions.

The Sale of Fox Entertainment

Rupert Murdoch, the owner of the News Corporation and later 21st Century Fox, sold off Fox TV businesses to Disney in 2019. However, the sale did not include the crucial components like the Fox News, Fox Business, and Fox Sports divisions, as well as the Fox Broadcasting Company. These were the most profitable parts of the company, making them significant assets to retain.

No. When he sold off Fox TV businesses to Disney, Rupert Murdoch never included the Fox News/Business/Sports Channels and the Fox Broadcasting Company in the sale and why should he? They were the most profitable parts of his company.

The Formation of Fox Corporation

Following the sale, a new company named Fox Corporation was spun off from 21st Century Fox. This company, run by Rupert Murdoch and his son Lachlan, retained the Fox News, Fox Business, and Fox Sports properties. Disney's acquisition did not include these news and sports divisions, making it clear that Fox Corporation continues to own Fox News.

Disney does not own Fox News and probably will never own it because of the news network's political leanings. Fox News is owned by Fox Corporation, a new company that was spun off from 21st Century Fox prior to its merger with Disney in 2019.

Disney's Expansion

Disney acquired the Twentieth Century Fox movie studio and its vast catalog of films as part of their expansion strategy in 2019. This deal significantly bolstered Disney's film library and streaming offerings, but it does not extend to the Fox News network.

I believe Disney purchased Twentieth Century Fox movie studio and all the films from their catalog. Disney now has the streaming service called Disney and they needed large amounts of movies to offer their subscribers.

Confusion and Realities of Media Deals

There is often confusion about the details of the sale due to the complex nature of media mergers and acquisitions. Rest assured, the Walt Disney Company does not own Fox News, and it is unlikely to ever own it. The division between entertainment and news programming is significant and has been respected in media ownership structures.

The Walt Disney Company does not own Fox News. Immediately prior to Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox in March 2019, Fox News and a number of other Fox subsidiaries were spun off to a newly formed company Fox Corporation that was not part of the acquisition.

Conclusion

In summary, Fox News remains separate from Disney. The sale of Fox Entertainment to Disney included only certain aspects of the media empire, and Fox News is now owned by the Murdoch family-controlled Fox Corporation. This clarification is essential for understanding the current landscape of media ownership and content distribution.