FOX Sports vs Liberty Media

Freedom 250 Sports Events Produced Mixed TV/Streaming Results

The Freedom 250 events tied to America’s 250th birthday delivered widely varying audience outcomes. IndyCar’s inaugural Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. averaged 3.282 million viewers on FOX — its largest non-Indy 500 TV audience since 1995 and a 279% peak versus 2025 Sunday IndyCar broadcasts. UFC’s Freedom 250 at the White House was the biggest streaming success, reaching 17 million viewers across the U.S. and Latin America and averaging 8.2 million on Paramount+, which saw a 276% spike in downloads. ABC’s Patriot Games underperformed with a 1.214 million average on ABC and the ESPN app. The results highlight the differing reach of linear broadcast and streaming for major live events and the promotional lift such events can create for streaming services.

• IndyCar’s inaugural Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. averaged 3.282 million viewers on FOX.
• The IndyCar Freedom 250 peaked at 3.482 million viewers and represents the most-watched IndyCar race outside the Indianapolis 500 since 1995.
• UFC’s Freedom 250 (White House) reached 17 million viewers in the U.S. and Latin America and averaged 8.2 million on Paramount+.

Fubo Upgrades ESPN and Fox Sports Streams to 1080p

Fubo has upgraded the live video quality of its ESPN and Fox Sports linear channels from 720p to 1080p across supported devices. The change improves picture sharpness, text legibility on score graphics, and overall viewing fidelity—particularly for sports with fast motion—while modestly increasing bandwidth usage. Observers note the upgrade arrives after Fubo came under majority ownership by Disney following a business combination with Hulu + Live TV; it is unclear whether the improvement stems from native 1080p feeds supplied by Disney/affiliate networks or from Fubo-side processing such as AI upscaling. The rollout applies to subscribers whose plans include these channels and aligns with industry moves to raise baseline streaming resolutions for CTV/OTT services.

• Fubo upgraded its Fox Sports channels and ESPN channels to 1080p resolution.
• Channels like ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, and FS2 were previously delivered primarily in 720p on many live TV streaming services.
• Fubo operates under majority ownership by Disney following a combination of Fubo’s business with Hulu + Live TV.

NBC Retains Preakness Rights Over FOX, Netflix, Amazon

NBC Sports has secured a new deal to retain television rights to the Preakness Stakes, reportedly beating bids from FOX Sports, Netflix, and Amazon. Terms were not disclosed; the renewal keeps the race on NBC after more than two decades. NBC has televised the Preakness since 2001 and holds U.S. media rights to the Kentucky Derby through 2032. This year’s Preakness averaged about 5.5 million viewers across NBC and Peacock, a 22% increase versus 2025. Meanwhile, FOX Sports is expanding its horse-racing portfolio via a multi-year agreement with the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club beginning in 2027 and will preview the deal by airing the Pacific Classic on August 22, 2026. The coverage landscape for major horse-racing events remains split across traditional broadcasters and streaming platforms, reflecting intensifying competition for live sports rights.

• NBC Sports secured a new deal to retain television rights to the Preakness Stakes; terms were not disclosed.
• NBC has televised the Preakness Stakes since 2001.
• NBC holds U.S. media rights to the Kentucky Derby through 2032.

Analysts: Formula One Stock Poised to Outperform

Liberty Media’s Formula One reported second-quarter revenue fell nearly 40% year‑over‑year after several races were canceled due to conflict in the Middle East, yet the stock rose about 4% on the day. Analysts cited strengthening commercial momentum driven by media rights negotiations, sponsorship and licensing opportunities, and a fuller 2027 race calendar (including new races such as Turkey) as reasons F1’s equity could outperform peers. Morgan Stanley raised its price target to $125; JPMorgan and Bernstein analysts expressed bullish views, with sponsorship forecasts of roughly $1.1B for FY2027 and licensing upside tied to partners such as LEGO, Mattel, Disney and EA. The piece also contrasts F1’s recent share performance with other sports companies (TKO Group Holdings, Madison Square Garden Sports) and attributes part of F1’s audience growth to series like Netflix’s Drive to Survive and Apple TV’s F1 movie.

• Liberty Media Formula One reported second-quarter revenue fell nearly 40% year over year due to cancellation of several races in the Middle East.
• Formula One stock rose nearly 4% on the day of the second-quarter results.
• Morgan Stanley maintained an overweight rating and raised its price target to $125 (from $120) in a July 29 note.

Liberty Media Corporation Announces Second Quarter Earnings Release and Conference Call

Liberty Media Corporation announced the release date for its second quarter earnings and a conference call.