Fox News is owned by Fox Corporation (NASDAQ: FOXA, FOX), the media company controlled by the Murdoch family. Fox News averaged 2.6 million primetime viewers in Q1 2026, earning its 97th consecutive quarter atop cable news ratings.

  • Fox Corporation recorded revenue of $16.30 billion in fiscal year 2025.
  • Market capitalization reached approximately $25.5 billion as of May 2026.
  • Fox News averaged 2.6 million primetime viewers in Q1 2026 (Nielsen).
  • Institutional investors hold roughly 54% of Fox Corporation shares.
  • The company employed approximately 10,400 people in fiscal 2025.

Fox Corporation Mission Statement and Core Values

Fox Corporation’s guiding principles, updated January 2026, state that audiences rely on FOX because of its commitment to free inquiry, free speech, and free expression. The company calls itself a defender of the U.S. Constitution.

Operationally, Fox concentrates on live news and sports, with digital investments through Tubi and the Fox One subscription service launched in fiscal 2026.

Who Owns Fox News

Fox News Channel is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fox Corporation, formed in 2019 after 21st Century Fox sold its entertainment assets to Walt Disney Company. Fox Corp. trades on NASDAQ under FOXA and FOX.

The Murdoch family controls about 40% of voting power through dual-class shares. Lachlan Murdoch has served as executive chairman and CEO since 2019.

Fox News Origin, Founders, and Early History

Rupert Murdoch announced plans for a 24-hour news channel in January 1996 and hired Roger Ailes, a former Republican media consultant, to build it. Fox News launched October 7, 1996, reaching 17 million cable subscribers.

The channel adopted the slogan “We Report. You Decide” and positioned itself against established outlets like CNN. By 2002, it had overtaken all cable news competitors in ratings.

Largest Shareholders of Fox Corporation

Murdoch Family Trust

  • Controls ~40% of voting power
  • Dual-class share structure
  • Rupert Murdoch stepped down as chairman in September 2023

Vanguard Group

  • 17.65 million shares (7.49%)
  • Valued at approximately $1.06 billion

BlackRock

  • 11.2 million shares (5.7%)
  • Valued at approximately $434.6 million

State Street Corporation

  • 10.8 million shares (4.59%)
  • Valued at approximately $651 million

Dodge & Cox

  • 7.3 million shares (3.1%)
  • Valued at approximately $440 million

Fox News Board of Directors and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Lachlan Murdoch
Executive Chairman and CEO, Fox Corporation
Board member since 2002

Former Government and Policy Leaders

Tony Abbott
Former Prime Minister of Australia
Board member since 2023
Paul Ryan
Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives
Board member since 2019

Business and Legal Advisors

William Burck
Co-Managing Partner, Quinn Emanuel
Board member since 2021
Chase Carey
Former CEO of Formula 1 Racing
Board member since 2019
Roland Hernandez
CEO, Hernandez Media Ventures
Board member since 2019

Technology and Innovation

Margaret “Peggy” Johnson
Former CEO, Magic Leap
Board member since 2023

Fox Corporation Products and Services

Fox News Media

  • Fox News Channel and Fox Business
  • Fox News Digital (100M+ monthly visitors)
  • Fox News Audio and Fox Nation

FOX Sports

  • NFL, MLB, NASCAR, FIFA rights
  • FS1 and FS2 cable channels

FOX Entertainment

  • FOX broadcast network
  • TMZ and Bento Box Entertainment

Tubi

  • Free ad-supported streaming
  • 100 million monthly active users

FOX Television Stations

  • 29 stations in major U.S. markets

Fox One

  • Subscription streaming (FY2026 launch)

How Did Fox News Get Its Name?

The “Fox” name comes from 20th Century Fox, the film studio Rupert Murdoch acquired in 1985. That studio honored William Fox, who founded Fox Film Corporation in 1915. Murdoch carried the brand to Fox Broadcasting in 1986 and Fox News in 1996.

“News” described its purpose: a 24-hour cable service built to compete with CNN. Like NBC and ABC, Murdoch used an existing broadcast brand for instant recognition.

FAQs

What is the net worth of Fox News?

Fox News does not report separate financials. Its parent, Fox Corporation, had a market cap of $25.5 billion as of May 2026 and recorded $16.30 billion in revenue for fiscal 2025.

Is Fox News an American company?

Yes. Fox Corporation is headquartered in New York City and trades on NASDAQ under tickers FOXA and FOX.

Who owns Fox News?

Fox Corporation owns Fox News. The Murdoch family controls about 40% of voting power. Lachlan Murdoch is executive chairman and CEO.

When did Fox News launch?

Fox News launched October 7, 1996, reaching 17 million cable subscribers. Rupert Murdoch founded it; Roger Ailes was CEO.

What is the Fox Corporation market cap in 2026?

Fox Corporation’s market cap was approximately $25.5 billion as of May 2026. FOXA traded near $64 per share.

I've spent over a decade researching and documenting the stories behind the world's most influential companies. What started as a personal fascination with how businesses evolve from small startups to global giants turned into CompaniesHistory.com—a platform dedicated to making corporate history accessible to everyone.