Fox Sports launches online division

Fox Sports has announced the launch of its own online division, driving further speculation around the long term future of Fox online arm Fox Interactive Media (FIM.)

According to media from the company, Fox Sports Digital Entertainment will help create synergy between the network and online, and launches with five web only video shows.

“We want to develop a variety of programs that appeal to hardcore sports fans, many of whom turn to their computers for entertainment and information as they lunch,” said Fox Sports chairman David Hill told Variety. “Not every show is going to click its first time out, but we’re going to probe and push to see where we can go, and how far.”

FIM’s role within Fox remains, and the division still runs the groups big online plays including MySpace. However the division was supposed to spearhead News Corp’s United States online efforts, a role it seemingly continues to play less and less.