Fox’s planned $22 billion acquisition of Roku is facing a deeper federal antitrust review after the Justice Department requested additional information from both companies.
The DOJ issued a “second request” on Tuesday, requiring Fox and Roku to provide more documents and data before regulators decide whether to clear the transaction. A second request is a common step in major merger reviews and does not mean the government has decided to challenge the deal.
Semafor first reported the additional scrutiny. The request indicates that regulators want a closer examination of the potential effects on competition before the acquisition can proceed.
Fox and Roku combine content with distribution
The transaction would bring together Fox’s portfolio of news, sports and entertainment content with one of the largest connected-TV platforms. Fox also owns Tubi, its free, ad-supported streaming service, while Roku operates a widely used streaming operating system and device platform.
That combination could draw scrutiny over how a Fox-owned Roku treats competing streaming services. Regulators may examine whether Fox could give its own services more prominent placement, use Roku viewing data to strengthen its advertising business, or provide less favourable treatment to rival platforms.
Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch has sought to ease those concerns, saying he expects Fox and Roku to continue operating separately.
DOJ review comes amid scrutiny of media mergers
The investigation arrives as the Justice Department faces broader questions about its handling of major media transactions and whether political relationships influence regulatory decisions.
Criticism also followed Paramount’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery because Paramount CEO David Ellison’s father, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, has close ties to President Donald Trump. The Paramount transaction has faced separate controversy involving the Ellisons and Trump, fueling debate over how politically sensitive media deals are treated.
The Fox-Roku review could therefore draw attention beyond the competitive questions surrounding streaming. The Murdoch family also has longstanding ties to Trump, making the DOJ’s handling of the transaction likely to receive additional political scrutiny.
For now, the second request extends the regulatory review rather than determining its outcome. Fox and Roku currently expect the acquisition to close during the first half of 2027.
