History of Fox Sports 1 in Timeline
Fox Sports 1 (FS1) is an American pay television channel owned by the Fox Sports Media Group, which is a unit of Fox Corporation. FS1 offers a range of sports-related programming including live events, sports news, and analysis. It serves as a major broadcaster of various sports events and has become a significant player in the sports media landscape since its launch.
1979: ESPN Launches
ESPN was launched in 1979, marking the beginning of a major player in sports broadcasting.
1996: NBC Sports Network Launches
NBC Sports Network was launched in 1996, adding to the growing landscape of sports broadcasting.
2003: CBS Sports Network Launches
CBS Sports Network launched in 2003, further expanding the options for sports viewers.
March 2012: Reports Surface about Fox Sports 1
In March 2012, reports emerged suggesting that Fox Entertainment Group was planning to launch a national Fox Sports cable network called Fox Sports 1 by August 2013.
October 2012: Speed Logo Changes, Hinting at FS1
In October 2012, Speed modified its on-air logo to include the Fox Sports logo, suggesting a transition towards becoming Fox Sports 1.
2012: Fox Plans to Convert Speed to FS1
In 2012, reports indicated that Fox intended to convert Speed, a motorsports-focused channel, into the new Fox Sports 1 due to its broad reach on U.S. pay television.
January 2013: Reports of Fox Soccer Relaunching as FXX
Reports surfaced in January 2013 suggesting that Fox Soccer would be relaunched as FXX, a general entertainment network.
March 5, 2013: Fox Confirms Speed to Become FS1
On March 5, 2013, Fox Sports officially confirmed that Speed would be converted into Fox Sports 1.
March 28, 2013: Fox Officially Announces FXX Launch
On March 28, 2013, Fox Entertainment Group officially announced the launch of FXX, a general entertainment network replacing Fox Soccer.
August 2013: FS2 Launches as a Secondary Channel
FS2 launched alongside FS1 in August 2013, serving as a secondary outlet for FS1's mainstream sports programming.
August 2013: Fox Sports 1 Planned Launch Date
August 2013 was the planned launch date for Fox Sports 1, a national Fox Sports cable network.
August 17, 2013: FS1 Launches, Replacing Speed
On August 17, 2013, Fox Sports 1 (FS1) launched, replacing the motorsports-centric network Speed. FS1 also absorbed content from Fox Soccer, which was later replaced by FXX.
September 2, 2013: Fox Soccer Becomes FXX
On September 2, 2013, Fox Soccer was replaced by FXX, a general entertainment channel focused on comedy and films.
2014: Canadian Providers Drop Speed
In early 2014, several major Canadian service providers began dropping Speed, the channel that was replaced by FS1 in the U.S., after their contractual rights to carry Speed expired.
February 2015: Fox Sports 1 Carriage Dispute with AT\&T U-verse
In February 2015, Fox Sports 1 and AT\&T U-verse entered a carriage dispute over increased fees Fox was requesting to cover sports broadcasting rights. AT\&T refused to pay, arguing the increase was unreasonable to pass on to their customers. Instead of removing the channel, Fox blacked out select sports events on U-verse, including NASCAR, MLB, MLS, and college basketball games.
May 2015: Jamie Horowitz Joins FS1, Shifts to Opinion-Based Programming
In May 2015, Fox Sports hired Jamie Horowitz, previously of ESPN, to lead the channel. Horowitz shifted FS1's studio programming towards opinion-based panel shows and hired prominent ESPN personalities like Skip Bayless and Colin Cowherd.
July 14, 2015: Fox Sports Secures NHRA Broadcasting Rights
On July 14, 2015, Fox Sports reached an agreement with the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) to broadcast its drag racing events starting in 2016.
2015: FS1 Expands Coverage and Rebrands
In 2015, Fox Sports 1 expanded its coverage to include select NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events, USGA championship events, FIFA tournaments, and Major League Soccer. The network also began phasing out "Fox Sports 1" in favor of "FS1" with a new wordmark logo.
2016: Fox Sports Begins Broadcasting NHRA Events
Fox Sports began broadcasting NHRA events in 2016, taking over from ESPN.
March 21, 2018: Fox Sports Acquires PBA Tour Rights
On March 21, 2018, Fox Sports announced that it had acquired the television rights for the PBA Tour, starting in 2019, replacing ESPN.
September 2018: FS1 Reaches 83.3 Million Homes
By September 2018, Fox Sports 1 was available in approximately 83.3 million pay television households in the United States, representing 90.3% of households with cable.
September 2018: FS1 Premieres "Lock It In", a Sports Betting Show
In September 2018, FS1 launched "Lock It In", a sports betting-focused studio program featuring Clay Travis, Todd Fuhrman, "Cousin Sal" Iacono, and Rachel Bonnetta.
2019: Fox Sports Begins Broadcasting PBA Tour
Fox Sports began broadcasting PBA Tour events in 2019.
2019: FS1 Trails ESPN and NBCSN in Viewership
By the end of 2019, viewership figures showed that FS1 was behind ESPN by over 1.4 million viewers and even trailed NBCSN by 17,000 viewers.
2022: "Fox Bet Live" Canceled
"Fox Bet Live", the sports betting show that premiered in 2018, was canceled in 2022.
June 2023: FS1's Reach Declines to 72.4 Million Homes
As of June 2023, Fox Sports 1's reach had decreased to 72.4 million homes.