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Fox and Tubi Highlight Live Sports, AI, and Audience Growth at Upfronts

BusinessEntertainmentTechnology5/12/2026
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Fox and Tubi presented their programming and technology strategies during the first day of Upfronts week, emphasizing live sports, ad-supported streaming, and new AI tools. Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch stated the company is the only major media company consistently growing audiences for a third consecutive year. Tubi CEO Anjali Sud reported the platform is the number one fully free, ad-supported streamer, with significant reach and engagement.

Facts First

  • Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch stated Fox focuses on live sports, live news, bold entertainment, and ad-supported streaming.
  • Fox is the only major media company consistently growing audiences for the third consecutive year, according to Murdoch.
  • Fox Chief Technology Officer Melody Hildebrandt introduced new features including an AI version of sports pundit Colin Cowherd.
  • Tubi CEO Anjali Sud reported Tubi is the No. 1 fully free, ad-supported streamer with 100 million monthly active users.
  • Tubi ranks fourth in reaching high-income ad-supported viewers, ahead of Disney+ and Paramount, according to Sud.

What Happened

Fox and Tubi presented at the first day of Upfronts week, alongside NBCUniversal and Amazon Prime Video. Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch outlined the company's focus on live sports, live news, bold entertainment, and ad-supported streaming. Fox Chief Technology Officer Melody Hildebrandt introduced new features, including an AI Colin Cowherd for sports punditry. Tubi CEO Anjali Sud presented data showing Tubi as the number one fully free, ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service, with 100 million monthly active users and over 10 billion hours watched annually. The presentations included appearances by celebrities and athletes promoting new and returning shows, such as a 'Baywatch' revival and Fox Sports' Thanksgiving game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys.

Why this Matters to You

If you watch sports, Fox's commitment means you could see all 104 World Cup matches streamed live in 4K this year. If you use free streaming services, Tubi's growth suggests it may offer an increasingly wide selection of content, including new original series like 'The Other Football'. The introduction of AI tools like an AI Colin Cowherd may lead to more personalized or interactive sports commentary. Fox's reported audience growth could indicate a stable source for live news and entertainment programming.

What's Next

The upfront presentations continue, detailing the fall programming slate for these networks. Fox Sports' coverage of the World Cup and the Thanksgiving NFL game are scheduled events. Tubi's new original series 'The Other Football' is being produced for the World Cup. The 'Baywatch' revival has been filming on Venice Beach. These developments suggest a continued emphasis on live events, sports, and ad-supported streaming options in the coming television season.

Perspectives

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Industry Analysts observe that the upfronts signal a heavy shift toward technical ad tools and data-driven strategies to reach specific audience segments across digital and streaming platforms.
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Media Executives advocate for a growth mindset and 'data-informed decision making' to combat the industry's tendency toward scarcity-driven caution.
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Network Leaders highlight specific competitive advantages, such as Fox's focus on 'true fandom' or Tubi's ability to reach high-income viewers.
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Talent and Personalities offer lighthearted commentary on specific programming, ranging from jokes about production budgets to praise for fellow entertainers.
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News Commentators emphasize the significance of ratings shifts, such as Fox News outperforming NBC in weekday prime time.