Fox TV and its related media properties are owned by Fox Corporation, a publicly traded American mass media company. While shares of Fox Corporation trade on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the tickers FOXA and FOX, the actual control of the network rests firmly with the Murdoch family through a specialized family trust. Rather than being controlled by a single tech billionaire or an unrelated corporate conglomerate, Fox operates through a dual-class share structure designed to keep decision-making power concentrated within the family.
Understanding who owns Fox TV requires looking past standard public stock listings. The network's corporate lineage involves massive multi-billion-dollar corporate splits, the sale of historical film studios to Disney, and a carefully protected voting apparatus that shields the executive leadership from outside activist shareholders.
The Corporate Parent: Fox Corporation
Fox Corporation was established as an independent entity on March 19, 2019. This corporate birth followed a historic $71 billion transaction in which The Walt Disney Company acquired the majority of assets from 21st Century Fox (formerly News Corporation).
When Disney bought 21st Century Fox's film and television studios—including 20th Century Fox and FX—regulatory and strategic decisions left specific broadcasting assets behind. Those remaining assets formed the current Fox Corporation.
Headquartered at 1211 Avenue of the Americas in New York City, Fox Corporation focuses primarily on live broadcasting, sports, and news. Its major operating divisions include:
- Fox News Media: Encompassing Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, and streaming platforms like Fox Nation.
- Fox Sports: Managing major national broadcast rights for the NFL, MLB, college sports, and the primary cable sports networks FS1 and FS2.
- Fox Broadcasting Company: The television network supplying primetime and syndicated entertainment programming to local affiliate stations across the United States.
- Fox Television Stations: A subsidiary owning and operating local TV stations in major U.S. media markets, such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
- Tubi Media Group: The digital streaming arm anchored by the ad-supported free streaming service Tubi.
You can review official corporate filings and governance documents directly on the Fox Corporation Investor Relations portal.
How the Murdoch Family Maintains Control
Even though Fox Corporation is a publicly traded company where institutional investors and retail traders own the vast majority of economic equity, the Murdoch family retains functional control. This dynamic exists because of a dual-class stock system.
Fox Corporation issues two primary types of common stock:
- Class A Common Stock (NASDAQ: FOXA): These shares carry standard economic ownership rights and one vote per share. They are held widely by mutual funds, institutional giants like Vanguard and BlackRock, and everyday retail investors.
- Class B Common Stock (NASDAQ: FOX): These shares carry super-voting rights, typically granting ten votes per share.
The overwhelming majority of Class B voting shares are held by the Murdoch Family Trust. This family trust gives Lachlan Murdoch—who serves as Chairman and CEO—and his relatives roughly 36% to 40% of the total voting power in corporate matters. Because most public shareholders hold non-voting or single-vote Class A shares, the Murdoch family can dictate board appointments, strategic directions, and major corporate policies without interference from external investors.
Rupert Murdoch served as chairman for decades before stepping down in late 2023, transitioning to chairman emeritus while his son Lachlan took the helm of the organization. Additional details regarding media governance structures are tracked by organizations like the Columbia Journalism Review.
Public Shareholders and Institutional Ownership
While the Murdoch trust holds voting control, the actual financial value of the company is distributed among public markets. Institutional funds own roughly 37% of the total stock, while individual retail investors and public entities hold the remainder.
Major asset management firms frequently appear as top institutional holders of Class A shares due to Fox Corporation's inclusion in major indices like the S&P 500:
- The Vanguard Group holds one of the largest equity stakes on behalf of index funds and mutual funds.
- BlackRock manages substantial passive investments in the firm.
- State Street Corporation holds sizable positions through various exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and retirement portfolios.
These institutional stakeholders influence stock liquidity and corporate governance standards regarding financial transparency, but they cannot outvote the family trust on core operational policies.
Common Misconceptions About Fox TV Ownership
Because media conglomerates undergo frequent mergers, several myths persist regarding who actually runs and owns Fox networks.
A frequent error is assuming The Walt Disney Company owns Fox TV. While Disney purchased the entertainment production assets—such as the movie studios and cable networks like FX and National Geographic—under the 21st Century Fox agreement, Disney has zero ownership or control over Fox News, Fox Sports, or the Fox broadcast network. Those assets were intentionally carved out into Fox Corporation to avoid antitrust complications and keep news and sports broadcasting under Murdoch control.
Another common mix-up involves confusing Fox Corporation with News Corp. News Corp is a separate publicly traded sister company that houses print media and publishing assets, including The Wall Street Journal, the New York Post, and major Australian newspapers. While News Corp and Fox Corporation share parallel roots and are both influenced by the Murdoch family trust, they operate as entirely separate legal business entities with distinct balance sheets and leadership teams.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Rupert Murdoch still own Fox TV?
Rupert Murdoch stepped down from his active executive chairman role in November 2023, transitioning to chairman emeritus. However, the Murdoch Family Trust retains its multi-percentage voting control over Fox Corporation, and his son Lachlan Murdoch operates as the Chairman and CEO.
Can regular investors buy shares in Fox?
Yes. Anyone can purchase stock in Fox Corporation through a standard brokerage account. Class A shares trade under the ticker symbol FOXA, and Class B shares trade under FOX. Buying these shares provides a financial stake in the company's earnings, though Class A shares carry limited or single-vote rights compared to the family-controlled stock.
What is the difference between Fox Corporation and 21st Century Fox?
21st Century Fox was the massive legacy conglomerate that included both movie studios and television networks. In 2019, Disney purchased most of those entertainment assets. The remaining television, news, and sports assets were spun off into the newly formed, independent Fox Corporation.
Is Fox News owned by a telephone or tech company?
No. Unlike some media outlets that are owned by massive telecommunications giants or tech conglomerates, Fox Corporation operates as a standalone media enterprise dedicated exclusively to broadcasting, news media, and sports production.
