The Fox Corporation expanded its portfolio today after it acquired Red Seat Ventures in a move that’s set to shake things up for the company’s digital reach. As part of the acquisition, Red Seat Ventures will operate as a standalone entity within FOX’s Tubi Media Group.
The deal brings Red Seat Ventures’ portfolio of podcasts, video, subscription products, live events, and talent to the FOX Corporation. As the owner of CrimeCon, Red Seat Ventures has become a go-to for listeners of true crime. Back in November 2024, Red Seat Ventures drove over 200 million monthly active views, thanks to its portfolio of 17 creator-led shows. Clients include Piers Morgan, Bari Wess, Chris Hanson, Dr. Phil, Bill O’Reilly, Megyn Kelly, and Tucker Carlson, among others.
With the move under FOX, Paul Cheesbrough, CEO of Tubi Media Group, will serve as the Chairman of Red Seat Ventures. Chris Balfe and Kevin Balfe, the founding partners of Red Seat Ventures, will continue to lead the business, maintaining its independence and integrity.
“The creator economy is one of the fastest growing media categories worldwide by measure of reach and influence, and consumers are increasingly looking to get their information, insights and entertainment directly from the voices and brands they trust across these platforms,” said Paul Cheesbrough, CEO, Tubi Media Group. “Working with two outstanding entrepreneurs like Chris and Kevin, we see tremendous opportunities to drive additional scale in genres such as sports, news and entertainment and look forward to supporting the continued growth of this business.”
“From the beginning, Red Seat Ventures has had the opportunity to work with some of the most influential creators in the world to grow their new media businesses and develop their personal brands,” said Chris Balfe, CEO, Red Seat Ventures. “In aligning with FOX, we will be able to build upon that investment and expand the services we provide to our creators, while continuing to maintain the independence and integrity of their brands, which is truly the best case scenario.”
Red Seat Ventures is currently a Top 10 podcast network in the US in terms of scale and reach and after the FOX acquisition, the company will have even more resources at its disposal. With FOX launching a standalone streaming service later this year, this move could prove extremely valuable as the company continues to expand its digital reach.