Fox Corp. announced it acquired tabloid journalism online newspaper TMZ on Sept. 13 for an estimated $50 million.

Fox bought the company from Warner-Media and its parent company AT&T Inc., which is unloading its media investments to focus on phone and internet services. The purchase includes ownership of TMZ’s syndicated television shows “TMZ” and “TMZ Live,” which Fox-owned and -operated stations have broadcast since 2007 and 2011, respectively.
 
TMZ founder and Managing Editor Harvey Levin will remain in his role and serve as frontman for TMZ’s TV shows, which were renewed earlier through the 2022-2023 season. He will now report to Fox Entertainment’s President of Alternative Entertainment and Specials Rob Wade while the company will merge with the portfolio controlled by Fox Entertainment chief Charlie Collier.
 
Fox First Run, Fox’s syndication arm, will take over sales and distribution for the syndicated programs.

“We couldn’t be more charged,” Levin said. “Fox Entertainment is opening up a world of opportunities for TMZ to grow our current platforms and expand in every which way.”

The sale includes the TMZ Sports digital site and the TooFab culture and lifestyle platform that includes TMZ.com.
 
Levin, a former legal expert for KCBS, founded the production banner in 2005 with late executive Jim Paratore as a division of Warner’s Telepictures production unit.