Rightly or wrongly, Fox News Channel’s decision to get rid of hit primetime host Tucker Carlson signaled to many of its now-former viewers that it was moving entirely away from populist politics and was embracing regime-friendly media only.
Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy recognized that and capitalized on it in a statement, noting that Fox News Channel had become entirely establishment media by getting rid of Tucker (and Dan Bongino, though he wasn’t mentioned by Ruddy), and that Newsmax would benefit from people wanting to watch a news channel that aligned with their values. In his words:
“For a while Fox News has been moving to become establishment media and Tucker Carlson’s removal is a big milestone in that effort. Millions of viewers who liked the old Fox News have made the switch to Newsmax and Tucker’s departure will only fuel that trend.”
Similarly, conservative news channel and site One America News said that it would like to hire Tucker in its article on his departure from Fox News Channel, saying, “One America News founder and CEO Robert Herring would like to extend an invitation to Carlson to meet for negotiation to become a part of the OAN team.”
Speaking to the Times of San Diego via email, OAN CEO Rob Herring said that his channel could pay $25 million to bring Tucker on, saying, “It would be great if we could get Tucker! I might give him around $25 million. And he would be well worth that!”
Fox News Channel, meanwhile, has seen a significant ratings hit following Tucker’s departure, as The Hollywood Reporter noted in its report on the drop in ratings Fox News Channel suffered, saying:
Unsurprisingly, Fox News ratings suffered Monday night without the channel’s most watched host.
After the surprise of Fox News and Tucker Carlson “agree[ing] to part ways” on Monday, the network’s 8 p.m. hour had a significantly smaller audience Monday night. The debut of Fox News Tonight, hosted by Brian Kilmeade (the first in a series of rotating hosts), pulled in just under 2.6 million viewers — about 21 percent below the average for Tucker Carlson Tonight (3.3 million viewers) over the past eight Mondays.
Additionally, fans of Tucker Carlson are canceling their Fox Nation subscriptions, as The American Tribune reported, saying:
Following Tucker Carlson’s surprising departure from Fox News, the news channel has faced some consequences for letting go their most popular host. Fans of Carlson began canceling their subscriptions to Fox Nation.
It is apparent many people only consumed media from Fox News because of Tucker Carlson. Social media users took to Twitter, voicing their anger with Fox News showing screenshots of their Fox Nation subscription cancelations. Michelle Maxwell said, Just canceled my #FoxNation subscription! FU @FoxNews #TuckerCarlson was the only reason I still watched!!”
Just canceled my #FoxNation subscription! FU @FoxNews #TuckerCarlson was the only reason I still watched!! pic.twitter.com/SWt1tRjUbu
— Michelle Maxwell (@MichelleMaxwell) April 24, 2023
Another user said, “Just canceled my Fox Nation subscription. No point in having it w/o Tucker Carlson Originals. #FoxNation #FoxNews #TuckerCarlson.”
Just canceled my Fox Nation subscription. No point in having it w/o Tucker Carlson Originals. #FoxNation #FoxNews #TuckerCarlson pic.twitter.com/GWxU0Ywwzx
— Mel (@Villgecrazylady) April 24, 2023
Fox News, in its statement on Tucker Carlson’s departure from the network, said:
FOX News Media and Tucker Carlson have agreed to part ways. We thank him for his service to the network as a host and prior to that as a contributor.
Mr. Carlson’s last program was Friday April 21st. Fox News Tonight will air live at 8 PM/ET starting this evening as an interim show helmed by rotating FOX News personalities until a new host is named.
FOX News Media operates the FOX News Channel (FNC), FOX Business Network (FBN), FOX News Digital, FOX News Audio, FOX News Books, the direct-to-consumer streaming services FOX Nation and FOX News International and the free ad-supported television service FOX Weather. Currently the number one cable network, FNC has been the most watched television news channel for more than 21 consecutive years, while FBN ranks among the top business channels on cable. Fox Corporation owns FOX News Media, which reaches nearly 200 million people monthly.
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