The US media group Fox is set to acquire the streaming platform Roku. As both companies announced on Monday, they have signed a binding agreement under which Fox will acquire Roku for US$160 per share. The total value of the transaction is around US$22 billion.

The merger will create a new heavyweight in the US TV and streaming market. According to the companies, Fox and Roku would together reach more than 100 million households worldwide and rank among the largest providers in the US television industry.

Fox has been expanding its streaming business for years. Following its acquisition of the ad-supported streaming service Tubi in 2020, the group is now focusing on combining its content from the areas of live sport, news and entertainment with Roku’s reach. In the US, the platform is one of the main gateways to streaming services on smart TVs and streaming devices.

Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch described the takeover as the logical next step in the company’s strategy. The aim, he said, was to combine the company’s own content offering with a leading streaming platform and to further strengthen the company’s position in the digital TV market.

Roku’s founder and CEO, Anthony Wood, also sees opportunities for further growth in the deal. Roku has developed into one of the world’s largest streaming platforms in recent years and now reaches more than 100 million households.

The deal could have far-reaching consequences for the media industry. The takeover underscores the trend towards consolidation in the streaming market and, in particular, reinforces the importance of ad-supported streaming services (FAST). At the same time, through Roku, Fox gains direct access to one of the most important platforms for the distribution and discoverability of video content.

The transaction is still subject to approval by the relevant competition authorities. It is expected to be finalised in the first half of 2027.