Fox Corp. has acquired Red Seat Ventures, the digital media company behind several high-profile former Fox News personalities, including Megyn Kelly, Bill O’Reilly, and Tucker Carlson. The deal, announced Monday, brings some of the biggest names in conservative media back into Fox’s orbit, despite past tensions.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Red Seat Ventures Joins Fox’s Tubi Media Group
Founded in 2015 by brothers Chris and Kevin Balfe, Red Seat Ventures has built a reputation for producing and managing video podcasts, ad sales, subscription services, and live events. The company, which reportedly amassed 200 million monthly active views in November 2024, will now operate as a standalone entity under Fox’s Tubi Media Group.
As part of the deal:
• The Balfe brothers will continue to run Red Seat Ventures.
• Tubi CEO Paul Cheesbrough will serve as chairman.
• Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
A Return to Murdoch’s Influence
Red Seat Ventures has been instrumental in supporting some of Fox’s former stars who left the network but maintained significant digital influence. The company manages the shows of Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Bill O’Reilly, and Piers Morgan, among others.
The deal reunites Carlson and Kelly with Fox’s parent company, even after their previous departures. Piers Morgan, another Red Seat client, recently left Rupert Murdoch’s TalkTV to take full ownership of his YouTube show, making the acquisition even more noteworthy.
Megyn Kelly Pushes Back on the Deal’s Scope
Following the announcement, Megyn Kelly disputed claims that her show was now under Fox’s control. She clarified on X (formerly Twitter) that the acquisition only involved the firm handling her ad sales, not her content.
“No one has acquired my show’s ‘home.’ The 3rd party firm that sells my ADS has been acquired. That’s all,” she posted. “The Megyn Kelly Show is NOT controlled or owned by anyone other than ME.”
Fox’s Vision: Expanding Beyond Political Media
Fox Corp. sees Red Seat Ventures as a gateway to expanding beyond conservative political content, tapping into sports, entertainment, and broader digital media ventures.
Tubi CEO Paul Cheesbrough highlighted the importance of the creator economy, stating:
“The creator economy is one of the fastest-growing media categories worldwide by measure of reach and influence. Consumers are increasingly looking to get their information, insights, and entertainment directly from the voices and brands they trust.”
Conclusion
Fox’s acquisition of Red Seat Ventures signals a strategic move into the digital creator space, strengthening its influence in the growing independent media landscape. While some of its most famous former hosts remain independent, this deal ensures their financial and operational ties to Fox remain intact, reshaping the conservative media ecosystem.
