Fox Completes Acquisition of Roku and Changes in College Costs

Fox Acquires Roku in $22 Billion Deal

Fox Corporation has finalized its $22 billion acquisition of Roku, a prominent smart TV company. As of today, the merged entity’s primary goal is to constantly serve its audiences and partners. Lachlan Murdoch, Executive Chair and CEO of Fox Corp., emphasized the importance of maintaining the openness and choice intrinsic to the Roku platform.

The deal, initially announced in June, marks Fox’s deeper involvement in the competitive streaming landscape, years after selling its 21st Century Fox film and television studio to Disney for $71 billion in 2019. This acquisition also positions Fox as a leading player in free, ad-supported streaming, enhancing its existing ownership of Tubi alongside the Roku Channel, both of which are leaders in the free-to-stream segment. With the deal effective today, Roku has already ceased trading its shares on the Nasdaq stock exchange.

A Historic Senate Election in Mississippi

In the recent election, Scott Colom, a Black Democrat, neared victory in the Mississippi Senate race, a state with a notorious history of racial violence. Former Virginia Governor L. Douglas Wilder, notably the first African American governor elected since Reconstruction, shared his astonishment at this potential breakthrough. Wilder, at 95, reflected on the grim past of racial injustices in Mississippi, recalling Emmett Till’s lynching.

Wilder’s remarks highlighted the significance of Colom’s potential victory and the election of Black governors in five other states, including the reelection of Maryland’s Wes Moore. Wilder underscored the ongoing work required in the U.S., beyond civil rights, to address inflation, data centers, war, and more. He stressed the nation’s quest for identity and its potential to serve as a global beacon.

College Costs Show a Decline

A recent report suggests college costs have decreased compared to a decade ago, challenging long-standing perceptions about the expense of higher education. The average cost for in-state freshmen in 2026, after accounting for student aid and inflation, is estimated at $21,660. This reflects a 14 percent decrease from 10 years ago, as per the College Board’s newly released data. Private nonprofit institutions also show a 9 percent reduction.

This decline in costs is attributed to slower tuition growth and increased state support for public colleges, alongside competition due to fewer high school graduates. The College Board’s report indicates that while sticker prices at public colleges have risen, they remain below inflation rates. In 2025, tuition and fees rose less than 3 percent at public universities for in-state students, and 3.7 percent at private four-year nonprofit colleges. Additionally, substantial grants and scholarships from colleges, states, and the federal government further reduce expenses for students.