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The Fox News Channel (FNC) is an American basic cable and satellite news television channel that was founded by media mogul Rupert Murdoch in 1996. It competes as one of the top-three cable news networks in the United States, often leading its rivals MSNBC, and CNN. [1]
The channel was created by Australian-born American media mogul Rupert Murdoch, who hired Roger Ailes as its founding CEO. The channel was launched on October 7, 1996 [2] to 17 million cable subscribers. Prior to founding Fox News, Murdoch had gained significant experience in the 24-hour news business when News Corporation's British Sky Broadcasting subsidiary started Europe's first 24-hour news channel, Sky News, in the United Kingdom in 1989. [3] With the success of his fourth network efforts in the United States, [4] [5] experience gained from Sky News, and turnaround of 20th Century Fox, Murdoch announced on January 31, 1996, that his company would be launching a 24-hour news channel to air on both cable and satellite systems as part of a News Corporation (News Corp) "worldwide platform" for Fox programming, saying, "The appetite for news – particularly news that explains to people how it affects them – is expanding enormously." [6]
In February 1996, after former NBC executive and Republican Party political strategist [7] Roger Ailes left America's Talking (now MSNBC), Murdoch called him to start the Fox News Channel. Ailes worked individuals through five months of 14-hour workdays and several weeks of rehearsal shows before launch, on October 7, 1996. [8]
At launch, only 10 million households were able to watch Fox News, with none in the major media markets of New York City and Los Angeles. According to published reports, many media reviewers had to watch the first day's programming at Fox News' studios because it was not readily available. The rolling news coverage during the day consisted of 20-minute single topic shows like Fox on Crime or Fox on Politics surrounded by news headlines. Interviews had various facts at the bottom of the screen about the topic or the guest.
The debut Fox News anchors included Neil Cavuto and Tony Snow, but opinion programming quickly became the network's primary draw. The O'Reilly Report (1996–98, continued as The O'Reilly Factor 1998–17) and Hannity and Colmes (1996–2009) example the channel's debut programming schedule. The O'Reilly Report featured the conservative host Bill O'Reilly and was the network's top-rated program. Hannity and Colmes hosts, featured conservative Sean Hannity and liberal Alan Colmes, debating various daily news topics. Fox & Friends , a morning news section, debuted in 1998 and continues as a significant part of Fox News' daily programming. Fox News began using the slogan "fair and balanced" and officially adopted "We Report, You Decide" in 2008. [9]
In the 2000 presidential election, Fox News, which was available in 56 million homes nationwide, saw a staggering 440% increase in viewers, the biggest gain among the three cable news television networks. [10]
Megyn Kelly, joined the channel in 2004 as a legal pundit and eventually got her own show, The Kelly File (2013–2017). Glenn Beck, joined the programming schedule in 2009 with his talk show, Glenn Beck (2009–11). Both were enjoyed good ratings targeting the political policies of U.S. President Barack Obama. [11]
The “fair and balanced” began to come under criticism as the network continued to feature several high profile Republicans. It included Sarah Palin during her 2008 election vice presidential candidacy, former speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich, Mike Huckabee during his 2008 and 2016 presidential candidacies, and Rick Santorum during his 2012 and 2016 presidential bids. Fox News also supported the aspirations of the Tea Party movement with their presenters such as Glenn Beck often echoing Tea Party talking points. [12] The channel came under heavy scrutiny in 2010 when News Corporation donated $1 million to the Republican Governors Association. [11]
In 2013, News Corporation was split into two publicly traded companies, with Fox Entertainment Group focusing on media, and 20th Century Fox focusing on publishing. Fox News was moved into the 20th Century Fox during the split. [13]
The Fox News opinion line-up adapted to President Donald Trump 2016 candidacy. Frequent popular pundits Tucker Carlson and Laura Ingraham began hosting their shows that were often directly with President Trump's campaign and presidency. Tucker Carlson Tonight (2016–2023) debuted in 2016 and The Ingraham Angle (2017-) debuted the following year and enjoyed high popularity with the Fox News audience. [11] This shift in editorial strategy led to tension between the news and opinion divisions at Fox News. Shepard Smith, who had been at Fox News since 1996 and lead anchor at the news division, left the network half way through his three-year contract in October 2019. [14]
On March 19, 2019, the day before The Walt Disney Company completed its acquisition of 21st Century Fox, Fox's news and sports channels were spun off into Fox Corporation. [15] [16] [17]
A series of lawsuits also dogged Fox News. Gretchen Carlson, claimed pervasive sexism Fox News and filed a sexual harassment against the CEO Roger Ailes. Ailes denied the allegations but resigned in that same month. 21st Century Fox settled the lawsuit, reportedly for $20 million, and issued a public apology. [18] Fox News also dropped its "Fair and Balanced" motto, replacing it with "Most Watched, Most Trusted" allegedly due to its ties with Ailes' leadership. "We Report, You Decide" was not officially dropped and occasionally makes appearances. [19] Bill O'Reilly was also accused in several sexual harassment lawsuits, though the Fox host denied any wrongdoing, O'Reilly and Fox News settled for more 32 million and he also left the channel soon after. [20]
Fox News ended 2020 as the most-watched network in cable news history. However, in January 2021, after the U.S. Capitol attack, it was less watched than CNN and MSNBC for three straight days, which had not happened since September 2000. [21]
In August 2021, Fox required compulsory reporting of COVID-19 vaccination status from employees, despite prominent Fox personalities Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity being opposed to mandatory reporting of COVID-19 vaccination status. [22]
Fox News host, Tucker Carlson's departure in April 2023 sent shares of Fox News parent Fox Corp. down more than 3 percent. In total, Carlson's show earned $77.5 million in ad revenue in 2022, according to Vivvixx data. [23]
Hosted by Paula Zahn, The Edge was one of the original programs on the network, focusing on talk between the host and newsmakers, like other programs on the network at the time. During the program's later years, John Gibson became host when the network discovered Zahn was in the midst of contract negotiations with CNN. The show was cancelled in 2002.
On October 7, 1996, The O'Reilly Report aired its first episode, hosted by Bill O'Reilly. It was later renamed because of a suggestion by a friend. The O'Reilly Factor , unlike many other Fox News programs, was pre-recorded, or "live-to-tape", except when covering breaking news or special events. Some guests were interviewed before the "live-to-tape" period and were slotted in the program as appropriate. O'Reilly's producers said that video editing took place only when an interview exceeded the available length in a program, of which the total was 43 minutes (for an hour-long slot, once commercials and news breaks are added), though some critics suggested that interviews were sometimes edited after taping to suit O'Reilly's agenda. [24] [25]
O'Reilly and his producers discussed potential topics twice a week. [26] A producer researched the story and booked guests for O'Reilly, and an information packet was produced with possible angles for O'Reilly to explore. The producers would often "pre-interview" the guest so that they know what potential points he or she might make. [27] For each show, O'Reilly, with the assistance of his staff, produced a script with the words for the "Talking Points Memo" and "Most Ridiculous Item of the Day" segments, and points of discussion and questions for the guests that appeared on the program. On February 2, 2009, the show began airing in high definition and moved to the previous set used by the Fox Report.
The show ended in 2017 after O'Reilly was dismissed from the network due to sexual harassment allegations, leading to a large advertiser boycott of the show. [28] [29]
Debuting as the Cavuto Business Report on the network's launch in 1996, Your World with Neil Cavuto has become a very popular show, hosted by reporter and commentator Neil Cavuto. The program covers the latest business news stories of the day, in addition to giving analysis on how the stock market moved through the day. It also covers political stories, such as how political actions may affect the markets, in addition to analysis of the markets by a group of analysts from one of the Cost of Freedom business block programs. Closing the program, the show has a commentary segment called "Common Sense", in which Neil gives his point of view on a news story of the day. The program is broadcast live weekdays at 4 p.m. ET.
Hannity & Colmes was an American television show on Fox News Channel, hosted by Sean Hannity [30] and Alan Colmes, [31] who respectively presented a conservative and liberal perspective. The series premiered in October 1996, and the final episode aired on January 9, 2009. It was the precursor to the current Hannity series, which currently airs in the same timeslot.
Fox Magazine was launched in 1997 as a weekly newsmagazine on the Fox News Channel. Hosted by Laurie Dhue, the program was an almost weekly look into some of the previous week's stories, in addition to special series produced by the program itself, such as its constant series about Nashville. These shows mostly consisted of adverts from the Fox News program and the National Rifle Association of America. Included in the programming were a recap of the previous week's commentaries from a number of the network's commentators. The program would come to an end on September 11, 2005, with Dhue leaving the network to work on Geraldo at Large .
Fox & Friends is a morning news show that debuted in 1998. It is currently hosted by Ainsley Earhardt, Steve Doocy, and Brian Kilmeade during the week. Weekends are hosted by Rachel Campos-Duffy, Pete Hegseth and Will Cain.
Drudge was a television series on Fox News Channel that was hosted by Matt Drudge. Drudge left the show in 1999 after network executives refused to let him show a National Enquirer photograph of a 21-week-old fetus in protest of abortion. [32]
The Fox News Channel (FNC), commonly known as Fox News, is an American multinational conservative news and political commentary television channel and website based in New York City. It is owned by Fox News Media, which itself is owned by the Fox Corporation. It is the most-watched cable news network in the U.S., and as of 2023 generates approximately 70% of its parent company's pre-tax profit. The channel broadcasts primarily from studios at 1211 Avenue of the Americas in Midtown Manhattan. Fox News provides a service to 86 countries and territories, with international broadcasts featuring Fox Extra segments during advertising breaks.
Roger Eugene Ailes was an American television executive and media consultant. He was the chairman and CEO of Fox News, Fox Television Stations and 20th Television. Ailes was a media consultant for Republican presidents Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and George H. W. Bush, and for Rudy Giuliani's 1989 New York City mayoral election. In July 2016, he left Fox News after allegations of sexually harassing female Fox employees, including on-air hosts Gretchen Carlson, Megyn Kelly, and Andrea Tantaros.
MSNBC is an American news-based television channel and website headquartered in New York City. It is owned by NBCUniversal — a subsidiary of Comcast — and provides news coverage and political commentary. The network produces live broadcasts for its channel from studios at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Manhattan, New York City, and aggregates its coverage and commentary on its website, msnbc.com.
Sean Patrick Hannity is an American conservative television presenter, broadcaster and writer. He hosts The Sean Hannity Show, a nationally syndicated talk radio show, has hosted a self-titled political commentary program on Fox News since 2009, and co-hosted the original Fox News debate show Hannity & Colmes with Alan Colmes from the network's founding in 1996 to 2009.
Alan Samuel Colmes was an American radio and television host, liberal political commentator for the Fox News Channel, and blogger.
The O'Reilly Factor was an American cable television news and talk show. The O'Reilly Factor first aired in the United States on Fox News Channel on October 7, 1996, the same day the network launched. It was hosted by independent commentator Bill O'Reilly, who discussed current events and controversial political issues with guests. The final episode aired on April 21, 2017.
Hannity & Colmes was a live television show on Fox News in the United States, hosted by Sean Hannity and Alan Colmes, who respectively presented a conservative and liberal perspective. The series premiered on October 7, 1996, and the final episode aired on January 9, 2009. The show offered Hannity's conservative views and Colmes's liberal views incorporated into a current news story, or in conjunction with a featured guest.
Fox News Watch was an American current events debate show on the Fox News Channel hosted by Jon Scott focused on discussing media bias. The show ended on August 31, 2013. News Watch was then replaced by the hour-long news program, MediaBuzz.
Fox News is an American basic cable and satellite television channel currently owned by Fox Corporation. Since its inception by Rupert Murdoch's original News Corporation in 1996, it has been the subject of several controversies and allegations.
Stephen D. Malzberg is an American television and radio host, syndicated columnist, and political commentator. He hosted The Steve Malzberg Show, a cable news and opinion show on Newsmax TV. He has also hosted The Steve Malzberg Show and various other radio shows on WABC Radio in NYC and on WOR Radio, also in NYC where his show was syndicated on the WOR Radio Network.
Fox Business is an American conservative business news channel and website publication owned by the Fox News Media division of Fox Corporation. The channel broadcasts primarily from studios at 1211 Avenue of the Americas in Midtown Manhattan. Launched on October 15, 2007, the network features trading day coverage and a nightly lineup of opinion-based talk shows.
Leslie Marshall is a liberal radio talk host, hosting since 1988, and a commentator on national television since 2001. Leslie became the youngest person ever to be nationally syndicated on radio when she replaced Tom Snyder on the ABC Satellite Radio Network in 1992. She was also the first woman to host an issues-oriented program nationwide.
The Rachel Maddow Show is an American news television program that airs on MSNBC, running in the 9:00 pm ET time slot Monday evenings. It is hosted by Rachel Maddow, who gained a public profile via her frequent appearances as a progressive pundit on programs aired by MSNBC. It is based on her former radio show of the same name. The show debuted on September 8, 2008.
Cable news channels are television networks devoted to television news broadcasts, with the name deriving from the proliferation of such networks during the 1980s with the advent of cable television.
The following is a history of MSNBC from 1996 to 2007. MSNBC is an American basic cable and satellite news television channel that was created in 1996 by Microsoft and General Electric's NBC unit, which is now the Comcast-owned NBCUniversal.
The Five is an American conservative political talk show on Fox News Channel in which full-time hosts Greg Gutfeld, Dana Perino, Jesse Watters, Jeanine Pirro and alternating hosts Jessica Tarlov and Harold Ford Jr. discuss current stories, political issues, and pop culture. The one-hour show premiered on July 11, 2011, and airs live weekdays at 5 p.m. ET, with repeat episodes airing at 5 a.m. ET and 5 p.m. ET on Saturdays.
Tucker Carlson Tonight is an American conservative talk show and current affairs program hosted by political commentator Tucker Carlson. The show aired on Fox News from November 14, 2016, to April 21, 2023, replacing On the Record hosted by Greta Van Susteren. Tucker Carlson Tonight included political commentary, monologues, interviews, and analysis, sharing some similarities with On the Record. Guest hosts for the program included Will Cain, Sean Duffy, Tulsi Gabbard and Brian Kilmeade.
William Shine is a former White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications in the first administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. He spent most of his career as a producer and executive at Fox News. Most recently, he was co-president of Fox News, a position he held for 9 months before he was forced out on May 1, 2017. On March 8, 2019, the White House announced that Shine was resigning to advise President Trump's 2020 presidential campaign.
The Ingraham Angle is an American conservative news and opinion-based talk show that premiered on October 30, 2017, on the Fox News channel. The show features Laura Ingraham and guests discussing the day's latest issues, news, as well as controversies. The program airs at 7 p.m. ET.
