Report: Fox News to launch subscription streaming service

Fox News is reportedly planning to launch a standalone subscription streaming service later this year called Fox Nation.

The New York Times reported that the service will be available to US viewers without a cable package and will focus on news commentary and original shows.

Fox News’ senior vice president of development and production, John Finley, told the NYT that Fox Nation would appeal to “the Fox superfan,” offering Fox News viewers “more of what we have to offer”.

Fox Nation is expected to be formally announced today and to launch by the end of the year, with the price of the service still under discussion.

The news marks the latest SVOD move by a traditional US broadcaster. Disney’s direct-to-consumer sports streaming service, ESPN Plus, is due to launch in the US this spring along with a revamped ESPN app.

Speaking on Disney’s recent first quarter earnings call, CEO Bob Iger said that the service will be priced at US$4.99 and per-month and will be available on a variety of platforms including iOS, Android, tvOS and Chromecast, with more to follow.