Highlights from the Fox Upfront Event in New York City with Lachlan Murdoch, Tom Brady, James Corden, and the Baywatch Cast

Fox Upfront Presentation Highlights Renewed Focus on Sports and Entertainment

Fox held its annual upfront presentation on Monday at a new venue, showcasing both star-studded performances and strategic insights from its leadership.

The event opened with a lively performance by Jane Krakowski, host of Celebrity Name That Tune, who delivered a song-and-dance act reminiscent of her earlier appearance at NBCUniversal’s gathering at Radio City Music Hall. She was joined on stage by Jane Lynch, host of Celebrity Weakest Link, adding a touch of camaraderie to the festivities.

Adding to the star power, Super Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady, who serves as lead NFL analyst for Fox Sports, made his way to New York after attending The Roast of Kevin Hart in Los Angeles. Brady introduced Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch, marking a rare public speaking engagement for the executive at this event.

“I’ve seen firsthand the passion and the drive of my Fox teammates, and I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of this amazing company,” Brady said. “It’s not just the sports department. For all of us that do, we know it starts at the top with great leadership, and there’s nobody I’d rather work for than this guy. Please help me welcome Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch.”

Murdoch responded, emphasizing the network’s commitment to audience engagement. “Tom spoke about Fox’s strategy and our focus on our deep connection with fans as a defined factor in his decision to work with us, and he’s absolutely right,” he stated. “We’ve been deliberate in shaping a portfolio that puts us in a truly unique and powerful position in the marketplace.”

Unlike competitors that may shy away from sports-focused programming, Murdoch reiterated Fox’s dedication to live sports and news, stating, “This week, you’re going to hear a lot about the value of live sports. At Fox, that’s not a new story. It’s what we’ve been delivering successfully for years.”

It took nearly 30 minutes of the presentation to shift focus toward new shows, beginning with Tubi, the rising ad-supported streaming platform. Tubi CEO Anjali Sud highlighted efforts to attract creators before introducing the stars of Summer’s Last Resort: Jerry O’Connell, Sophia Bush, and Violet McGraw.

The classic reboot Baywatch was later introduced by its stars, including Stephen Amell and Shay Mitchell, who presented a trailer accompanied by its iconic theme song. Comedian Joel McHale provided levity, quipping about the “budget for waxing and hair removal.”

The event featured other notable appearances, including Jon Hamm, who lends his voice to the animated series Grimsburg, and several cast members from upcoming projects such as Memory of a Killer and Doc.

On the unscripted front, Gordon Ramsay took the stage alongside Johnny Knoxville, who humorously proposed doing something reckless. Fox also spotlighted its plans for the upcoming World Cup, revealing that James Corden will host an aftershow titled After Hours with James Corden, along with former Manchester United player Rio Ferdinand.

In a light moment with Michael Strahan, Corden explained, “Because they have the rights to the games? If they didn’t, I’d do it on the network that did.”

Concluding the event, Brady reflected on the collective passion surrounding Fox, sharing, “I spent my career surrounded by the most passionate fans on Earth. I never realized that passion could live outside of sports, but it does here at Fox, and we’re relentlessly focused on delivery, not just for our fans, but also for our advertisers, every single day.”