Fox Corporation has appointed Pete Distad as the CEO of its forthcoming direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming service. The yet-to-be-named platform is set to expand Fox’s reach beyond the traditional cable TV bundle, incorporating content from Fox News, Fox Sports, and the Fox broadcast network. Distad will report to Paul Cheesbrough, CEO of Tubi Media Group, and will oversee all aspects of the new service, which is expected to launch by the end of 2025.
Distad’s appointment follows his recent role as CEO of Venu Sports, a now-defunct sports streaming joint venture between Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery. Despite initial plans for Venu to provide a lower-priced, sports-focused streaming alternative, the project was abandoned less than a year after its announcement.
With a track record spanning Apple and Hulu, Distad brings extensive experience in streaming and content distribution. At Apple, he spent a decade managing business, operations, and global distribution for Apple TV+, and was initially responsible for product marketing for the Apple TV hardware. Prior to that, he was part of the original Hulu launch team and served as senior vice president of marketing and distribution.
In announcing the hire, Cheesbrough praised Distad’s expertise, stating, “Pete is a proven leader with deep experience in consumer products, and we’re thrilled to have him join the team to lead this new platform. His track record of innovation, execution, and building world-class streaming products speaks for itself, and we’re confident that under his leadership, we will deliver a best-in-class service that showcases Fox’s premium content and brands.”
Distad expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity, stating, “I’m excited to bring Fox’s leading sports, news, and entertainment content to audiences outside the traditional pay-TV bundle for the first time via an all-new streaming platform. Working closely with our content, distribution, and platform partners, we’re going to build and grow a differentiated viewing experience for consumers to access their favorite Fox programming.”
As Fox moves forward with its direct-to-consumer strategy, further details regarding the service’s pricing, content offerings, and launch timeline are expected in the coming months.
