OnlyFans, the globally recognised subscription-based content platform, could soon have a new owner. As per reports, its parent company, Fenix International Ltd., is in advanced discussions to sell the business to a consortium of investors led by the Los Angeles-based investment firm, Forest Road Company. The deal is reportedly being valued at around $8 billion (approx. ₹66,000 crore).
The platform, which rose to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been a major disruptor in the digital content space — especially for adult content creators. In 2023 alone, OnlyFans raked in $6.6 billion in gross revenue, taking a 20% cut from its creators’ earnings. Its revenue has tripled since 2020, showcasing growth few companies from the pandemic boom have managed to sustain.
Investor interest in the company has surged in recent months, especially after its impressive financials came to light. Talks are ongoing, and a deal could potentially be finalised within the next couple of weeks. However, Fenix is also reportedly exploring other options, including conversations with alternative buyers.
While the company has long flirted with the idea of launching an Initial Public Offering (IPO) — especially since 2022 — a full sale seems more likely at this point. One of the biggest hurdles to a public listing is the platform’s primary association with adult content, which has made it a complex proposition for mainstream investors. In 2021, the platform briefly announced a ban on explicit content, possibly in anticipation of going public, but the decision was quickly reversed after facing backlash from its creator community.
OnlyFans remains a prominent platform in the creator economy, and if the deal goes through, it would mark one of the largest acquisitions in the digital entertainment sector.
