Fox

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Fox was an African pay-television entertainment channel that operated from 2010 until its closure in 2021.

Last updated November 4, 2026

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Overview

Fox was an African pay-television channel and the regional version of the Fox entertainment television brand. It launched on 1 May 2010 through TopTV, at the same time as several related channels, including Fox Retro, FX, BabyTV and the European version of Fuel TV. At launch, the service was positioned primarily for viewers aged 18 to 35 and carried a mixture of programming originating from the United States broadcast network Fox, shows associated with FX, and other acquired entertainment content. The channel formed part of Fox Networks Group's international portfolio. Its initial programming strategy combined recognizable American series with a broad entertainment schedule intended for subscription television audiences in Africa. One of its most visible early programming moments was its participation in the worldwide premiere of The Walking Dead. Fox supported the premiere with a promotional Zombie Invasion Event, using the series' launch as a major channel-marketing occasion. After the first season concluded, the channel also broadcast an unedited director's cut of the pilot episode. On 9 April 2013, the service was rebranded from Fox Entertainment to the simpler Fox name. The rebrand coincided with an expansion of its distribution, including its addition to MultiChoice's DStv platform. Following the change, the channel broadened its intended audience from an 18-to-35 focus toward a wider 18-to-49 demographic and added new series to its schedule. It continued to function as a general entertainment channel rather than adopting the older-skewing programming identity associated with its sister channel FX. The channel's distribution was affected by a carriage dispute in 2019. In October of that year, Fox Networks Group services, including Fox, were removed from StarSat after negotiations over retransmission consent failed. The channels returned to the platform on 24 February 2020 after the parties reached an agreement. Fox Networks Group became part of The Walt Disney Company in March 2019 through Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox. Disney subsequently reorganized the strategic role of several international linear channels as streaming services expanded. On 24 August 2021, Fox announced that its African service would cease broadcasting on 1 October 2021. The closure was part of a broader decision affecting the Asian and German versions of the channel as well. Much of the channel's content was intended to move to Star on Disney+, whose regional launch followed on 18 May 2022. Fox therefore ended as a linear African television channel rather than continuing as an independent broadcast service.

History

Fox's African service was created as a regional pay-television version of the Fox entertainment brand. It began broadcasting on 1 May 2010 through TopTV, launching alongside Fox Retro, FX, BabyTV and the European version of Fuel TV. The service initially emphasized programming for viewers aged 18 to 35. Its schedule drew on productions from the U.S. Fox broadcast network and FX, supplemented by acquired programming from other sources. The channel used major U.S. television launches to establish its identity with African subscription-TV audiences. Its early promotional activity included participation in the worldwide premiere of The Walking Dead and a related Zombie Invasion Event. Following the conclusion of the first season, Fox rebroadcast a director's cut of the pilot episode without the edits used in the standard transmission. On 9 April 2013, Fox Entertainment was rebranded simply as Fox. The change occurred shortly after MultiChoice added the channel to DStv. Along with the new name, the channel expanded its programming and repositioned itself for a broader 18-to-49 audience. It remained a general entertainment service, distinguishing it from sister channel FX, whose programming was directed more narrowly toward older audiences. The channel later encountered a distribution interruption on StarSat. Fox Networks Group services were removed from the platform on 1 October 2019 after negotiations concerning retransmission consent did not produce an agreement. The channels, including Fox, returned on 24 February 2020 after a settlement was reached. Corporate ownership changed during this period. In March 2019, The Walt Disney Company acquired Fox Networks Group as part of its purchase of 21st Century Fox. As Disney developed its streaming strategy and prepared regional Star offerings, several international linear Fox channels were scheduled for closure. On 24 August 2021, the African channel's closure was announced for 1 October 2021. The decision also covered the Asian and German versions of the channel, with much of the relevant content expected to migrate to Star on Disney+, which launched in the region on 18 May 2022. Fox consequently became a defunct African television-channel brand after approximately eleven years of broadcasting.

2021
Broadcasting ends
[1]Fox (African TV channel)en.wikipedia.org
The African Fox channel ceases broadcasting on 1 October as Disney shifts emphasis toward streaming distribution.
2019
Disney ownership begins
[1]Fox (African TV channel)en.wikipedia.org
Fox Networks Group becomes part of The Walt Disney Company following the acquisition of 21st Century Fox.
2013
Rebrand to Fox
[1]Fox (African TV channel)en.wikipedia.org
The channel drops the Fox Entertainment name, adopts Fox, expands its series lineup and broadens its intended demographic to ages 18–49.
2010
African service launches
[1]Fox (African TV channel)en.wikipedia.org
Fox Entertainment begins broadcasting in Africa through TopTV on 1 May, with an 18–35 target audience and a schedule built around U.S. and acquired entertainment programming.

Products and positioning

A broad-based African pay-television entertainment channel centered on U.S.-originated and acquired series for adult viewers, initially targeting ages 18–35 and later broadening to ages 18–49.

Pay television channel · 2010
Fox
The principal African Fox service was a general-entertainment subscription channel carrying American series associated with Fox and FX alongside acquired programming. It launched in 2010 as Fox Entertainment, was renamed Fox in 2013 and was designed for a broad adult audience. The service ended its African broadcast operation on 1 October 2021.
Television series programming · 2010
The Walking Dead programming
The Walking Dead was among the channel's most prominent launch-era programming associations. Fox used the worldwide premiere and a Zombie Invasion Event as a promotional anchor, and later showed a director's cut of the first-season pilot after the season had concluded.

Controversies

2026
Alliance for a Better Utah and others sue Kevin O'Leary and Fox for defamation over China allegations
Less than three weeks after Kevin O'Leary's on-air clarification, Alliance for a Better Utah, Elevate Strategies, Gabrielle Finlayson, and Joshua Kanter sued O'Leary and Fox for defamation over his claims linking them to China or the Chinese Communist Party. O'Leary and Fox moved to have the suit dismissed in late September 2026.
Source
2026
DOJ investigating whether White House TV pool's coverage halt violated antitrust law
The U.S. Department of Justice said on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, that its Antitrust Division is investigating whether the White House television press pool's decision last month to halt coverage of President Donald Trump violated antitrust law. The pool of five broadcasters (ABC, CBS, CNN, FOX and NBC) ceased presidential coverage after the administration barred CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House. DOJ spokesperson Emily Covington said group boycotts among business competitors might violate U.S. law and that the division is investigating to determine whether these news organizations violated the antitrust laws; no determination has been made. CNN, MS NOW and Politico had sued over the days-long ban and a judge ordered their access restored. The Committee to Protect Journalists criticized the investigation, saying the government should not use antitrust probes to intimidate news outlets.
Source
2022
Fox News faces criticism over coverage of former trooper’s death
Fox News faced criticism for not reporting on the Covid-related death of former Washington state trooper Robert LeMay, who had previously appeared on the network to critique vaccine mandates. Commentators also criticized Laura Ingraham and others for their handling of his story.
Source
2021
New York City commission fines Fox News $1 million
New York City's human rights commission fined Fox News $1 million for violations of laws protecting against sexual harassment and job retaliation. As part of a settlement, Fox also agreed to mandate anti-harassment training for New York-based staff and contributors and to temporarily allow certain misconduct claimants to avoid binding arbitration.
Source
2021
Fox News reaches settlement with New York City Commission on Human Rights
Fox News reached a settlement agreement with the New York City Commission on Human Rights concerning violations of laws protecting against sexual harassment and job retaliation. The agreement included a $1 million fine and requirements including anti-harassment training, an anonymous reporting hotline, and limits on mandatory arbitration.
Source
2020
Netflix appeals ruling in Fox employee-poaching lawsuit
In 2020, Netflix filed an appeal in the employee-poaching lawsuit brought by Fox, challenging a prior order that barred Netflix from poaching Fox employees. The dispute concerns Fox's allegations over Netflix's recruitment of its staff. Netflix's appeal contests the earlier ruling that restricted its hiring practices regarding Fox employees. The source reports the filing of the appeal and the prior order it challenges, without detailing further outcomes or additional claims.
Source
2019
Makeup artist sues Fox News and four women over discrimination and retaliation allegations
A makeup artist sued Fox News and four women, alleging sexual, ethnic, and sexual-orientation discrimination and retaliation. The article reports the allegations and does not establish a determination on their merits.
Source
2019
Lawsuit over X-Men animated series theme song
Zoltan Krisko sued Marvel Entertainment and other companies, alleging copyright infringement over similarities between the X-Men: The Animated Series theme and the theme of the Hungarian television show Linda. The article says the lawsuit also lists Disney, Fox, and Amazon.
Source
2019
Locast countersues broadcasters over alleged antitrust conduct
Locast countersued ABC, CBS, Fox and NBCUniversal, alleging that the broadcasters engaged in antitrust conduct and colluded to grow their market power. The source reports the allegations and does not establish a determination.
Source

2010Zombie Invasion Event
Africa
A launch-related promotional event built around the worldwide premiere of The Walking Dead, using the show's zombie theme to attract attention to Fox's new African service.
Outcome. The event accompanied the channel's early positioning and premiere programming; no quantified performance result is documented in the supplied source.
Source

Brand decisions

2021
Closure in favor of streaming distributionStrategy
Background
After Disney acquired Fox Networks Group, the company placed greater emphasis on streaming and planned to use the Star brand on Disney+ for much of the relevant content.
Action taken
Fox announced that its African channel would stop broadcasting on 1 October 2021.
Aftermath
The linear channel became defunct, while much of its content was expected to move to Star on Disney+, launched in the region on 18 May 2022.
Source
2013
Rebrand and audience expansionGeneration change
Background
Fox Entertainment was operating as a broad entertainment service, while the business sought wider distribution and a broader adult audience.
Action taken
The channel was renamed Fox on 9 April, added new series and shifted its stated focus from ages 18–35 toward ages 18–49.
Aftermath
The rebrand established the channel's later identity and differentiated it from the more narrowly older-skewing FX service.
Source

Recent events

Unconfirmed
Reported2026.10.16
Utah resident sues Fox News and Kevin O’Leary for defamation[21]犹他州居民因诽谤起诉 Fox News 和 Kevin O’Learymidutahradio.com
Ogden resident Taylor Knuth is suing Fox News and Kevin O’Leary for defamation. Knuth claims O’Leary defamed him by saying on Fox that he was an agent of the Chinese government.
Unconfirmed
Reported2026.10.16
Fox CEO steps down[22]Fox首席执行官卸任news.google.com
Fox CEO Dennison steps down, according to the headline.
Unconfirmed
Reported2026.10.16
Fox lowers sales forecasts[22]Fox首席执行官卸任news.google.com
Fox lowers sales forecasts, according to the headline.
Unconfirmed
Reported2026.10.11
Justice Department investigates ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox and NBC over suspended Trump pool coverage[4]DOJ investigating whether White House TV pool's coverage halt violated antitrust lawcnbc.com
The U.S. Department of Justice said in a statement that it is investigating whether the White House TV press pool — a group of broadcasters including ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News and NBC — violated the Sherman Act by temporarily halting pooled television coverage of President Donald Trump. The pool suspended coverage on Sept. 21 after the White House barred CNN, MS NOW and Politico, and pooled coverage has since resumed. Members of the press pool did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
2026.10.10
Reported2026.10.11
DOJ investigating whether White House TV pool's coverage halt violated antitrust law[3]DOJ investigating whether White House TV pool's coverage halt violated antitrust lawcnbc.com
The U.S. Department of Justice said on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, that its Antitrust Division is investigating whether the White House television press pool's decision last month to halt coverage of President Donald Trump violated antitrust law. The pool of five broadcasters (ABC, CBS, CNN, FOX and NBC) ceased presidential coverage after the administration barred CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House. DOJ spokesperson Emily Covington said group boycotts among business competitors might violate U.S. law and that the division is investigating to determine whether these news organizations violated the antitrust laws; no determination has been made. CNN, MS NOW and Politico had sued over the days-long ban and a judge ordered their access restored. The Committee to Protect Journalists criticized the investigation, saying the government should not use antitrust probes to intimidate news outlets.
Weekdays and relative dates follow the original report; their exact calendar dates have not been verified.
Unconfirmed
Reported2026.10.01
Alliance for a Better Utah and others sue Kevin O'Leary and Fox for defamation over China allegations[2]Alliance for a Better Utah and others sue Kevin O'Leary and Fox for defamation over China allegationstheverge.com
Less than three weeks after Kevin O'Leary's on-air clarification, Alliance for a Better Utah, Elevate Strategies, Gabrielle Finlayson, and Joshua Kanter sued O'Leary and Fox for defamation over his claims linking them to China or the Chinese Communist Party. O'Leary and Fox moved to have the suit dismissed in late September 2026.
2022.02.01
Reported2022.02.01
Fox News faces criticism over coverage of former trooper’s death[20]Fox News faces criticism over coverage of former trooper’s deathyahoo.com
Fox News faced backlash for not reporting on the Covid-related death of former Washington state trooper Robert LeMay, who had previously appeared on the network to critique vaccine mandates. Commentators also criticized Laura Ingraham and others for their handling of his story.
2021.12
Reported2021.12.28
Fox News sued by Majed Khalil for defamation[9]Makeup artist sues Fox News and four women over discrimination and retaliation allegationsbusinessinsider.com
Venezuelan businessman Majed Khalil filed a defamation lawsuit against Fox News, alleging that it falsely implicated him in an election-rigging scheme and seeking $250 million in damages.
2021.10.14
Reported2021.10.14
Fox announces MaskVerse NFT initiative[23]福克斯宣布MaskVerse NFT项目finance.sina.com.cn
Fox announced plans for MaskVerse, an NFT product integrated with its television program The Masked Singer. The report says the first NFT would be free and usable in a newly created Discord community.
2021.07.02
Reported2021.07.02
New York City commission fines Fox News $1 million[18]New York City commission fines Fox News $1 millioncolumbian.com
New York City's human rights commission fined Fox News $1 million for violations of laws protecting against sexual harassment and job retaliation. Fox also agreed, as part of a settlement, to mandate anti-harassment training for New York-based staff and contributors and temporarily allow certain misconduct claimants to avoid binding arbitration.

Sources61 sources

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