Fifa World Cup ad income boosts Fox’s revenue to $4.21bn in fourth quarter
Average cost of a 30-second spot during tournaments airing on Fox was reportedly between $200,000 and $750,000 Fox Corp, parent company of Fox News and the US broadcaster of the Fifa World Cup, reported revenue up 28% to $4.21bn in the fiscal fourth quarter, thanks largely to advertising income from the soccer tournament. Advertising revenue jumped 78%, the company reported on Thursday. Overall,…
Fifa World Cup ad revenue propelled Fox News' Fox Corp to a $4.21 billion fourth quarter revenue, driven primarily by advertising income stemming from the soccer tournament. Advertising income surged 78% in the report, with overall earnings for the 2026 fiscal year reaching $17.13 billion, a 5% increase from the previous year. Analysts projected revenue for the quarter at $3.64 billion, with Fox's advertising sales bolstered by its streaming platform Tubi and increased political advertisements on Fox TV stations.
Adjusted earnings of $1.79 per share exceeded analyst expectations of $1.44 per share, sending Fox shares up 3.7% in premarket trading. CEO Lachlan Murdoch hailed 2026 as an "exceptional year" for Fox, attributing success to the broadcast of the FIFA Men's World Cup, the launch of the direct-to-consumer streaming service Fox One, and the acquisition of streaming platform Tubi and Roku.
The company secured the 2026 US broadcasting rights for the World Cup through a private, no-bid extension for $485 million, potentially avoiding legal action due to scheduling conflicts with the NFL. Advertising revenue from hydration breaks during matches may have covered the cost of acquiring the rights, with ad revenue totaling at least $500 million.
Media-buyers reported a 30-second spot cost between $200,000 and $750,000, depending on the teams and tournament stage.
Written by urgent.news from Guardian Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
