Subsidiary Companies Under 21st Century Fox: A Brief Overview of Its Owned Businesses
21st Century Fox's Legacy in the Media Landscape
Before its acquisition by Disney in 2019, 21st Century Fox was a significant player in the global media landscape. With a diverse portfolio that included the Twentieth Century Fox film studio, television broadcasting networks, cable channels, and a majority stake in Hulu, the company held substantial influence in both film and television production and distribution [1][3][5].
Key elements of 21st Century Fox's impact include:
- Film and TV Production: Its ownership of 20th Century Fox made it a leading film studio, producing and distributing major motion pictures that shaped popular culture globally [1][3]. Some of its notable productions include the Avatar franchise, known for its groundbreaking visuals and box office records, and key Marvel characters such as the X-Men [2].
- Television Broadcasting and Cable: It operated prominent TV networks and cable channels, including Fox News (which remained with Fox Corporation post-acquisition). Before the split, Fox’s broadcasting assets contributed to expanding television media options and fostering competition in the television news and entertainment sectors [1][2].
- Streaming Market Presence: The company held a controlling interest in Hulu, a major streaming platform, positioning Fox as a key player during the transition of audiences toward digital streaming services [3][5].
- Influence on Media Ownership Trends: 21st Century Fox exemplified media consolidation trends, being part of Rupert Murdoch's larger portfolio that reshaped media ownership structures. Its attempted bid for Time Warner in 2014 (which was rejected) demonstrated its ambition to expand and consolidate its media influence further [1][2].
After the acquisition, the remaining assets not acquired by Disney rebranded as "The New Fox". This entity encompasses Fox News Channel, Fox Sports, Fox Business, Fox Broadcasting Company, and Fox Television Stations [4]. However, the merging of two major entities raised concerns about fewer choices for consumers and an impact on market diversity and competition [6].
Concerns have been raised about the potential concentration of media ownership and its impact on the diversity of content within the entertainment industry [6]. The role of media conglomerates in shaping public discourse is a delicate ethical balance, with debates about the influence large corporations can exert on media and entertainment, and what that means for consumer choice and the dissemination of diverse voices and opinions [7].
Notable productions under 21st Century Fox include the popular television show "The Simpsons" [2]. Regulatory hurdles were encountered during the acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney, requiring the divestiture of certain assets like Fox's 22 regional sports channels [5]. The television networks that were part of 21st Century Fox included FX Networks and National Geographic Partners, among others [1].
In conclusion, 21st Century Fox was a foundational player in accelerating industry consolidation, blending film, television, news, and emerging digital platforms into a major media empire before its assets were largely absorbed by Disney—resulting in one of the largest media mergers in history and dramatically reshaping the market dynamics thereafter [1][3][4][5].
[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/14/business/media/disney-fox-deal-antitrust.html [2] https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/disney-fox-deal-10-things-you-need-know-1116760 [3] https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/20/how-disneys-21st-century-fox-deal-could-shake-up-the-media-landscape.html [4] https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/19/business/media/disney-fox-deal-closing.html [5] https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/20/disney-completes-21st-century-fox-acquisition-for-66-billion.html [6] https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/03/19/disneys-fox-merger-raises-concerns-about-media-consolidation/ [7] https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/16/opinion/fox-news-disney-merger.html
- The merger between 21st Century Fox and Disney, one of the largest in media history, positioned the fused company as a dominant player in various sectors, including film, television, news, and technology.
- In the realm of investing, industry analysts followed 21st Century Fox closely, evaluating its influence on the financing of education-and-self-development content and its support for emerging technology in the entertainment industry.
- As sports enthusiasts tuned into Fox Sports channels, they would have witnessed the exciting drama unfold on the field, unaware of the underlying business strategies and financial dealings that shaped the media landscape.
- Some considered 21st Century Fox a pioneer in the digital transformation of entertainment, its foray into the streaming market via majority ownership of Hulu contributing to the growth of this burgeoning industry.
