John Stossel's Take (Moving to Fox)

ABC ^ | 9/10/2009 | John Stossel

[COUNTrecount]

It's time for a change.

In one month, I leave ABC News.

In October, I will join the folks at Fox.

I plan to do a one hour prime time show every week on FBN, the Fox Business Channel, and contribute to various existing programs on Fox News Channel.

I’m grateful to ABC News for allowing me to do stories that challenged conventional wisdom, and occasionally enraged many of its viewers. But it’s said that everyone should change jobs every 7 years. I’ve been at ABC for 28 years ...

In my new job, I want to dig into the meaning of the words “liberty” and “limited government”. ABC enabled me to do some of that, but Fox offers me more airtime and a new challenge.

I’m still considering what I will do with my own show, one hour each week. Economics certainly. Exercises in understanding libertarianism. My “take” on the issues of the day.

To be continued...

[catbertz]

Cool. I like him.

[Clint N. Suhks]

One less opposition view for ABC, one less reason they can say they are impartial.

Way to go Jorges Snuffelupagus you must be so proud. You can keep Jorges Will while you are at it.

[A Cyrenian]

abc must had been impressed with him as well since he was with them for so long.

Gotta believe his conservative views were too much for them to be associated with.

To be honest, I've liked all of the shows he did with abc.

[ElayneJ]

woo-hoo! I love John Stossel - surprised he was at ABC this long.

[camp_steveo]

FOX news will eventually bury all others.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

Good news...

[wombtotomb]

Awesome! Welcome John! I suggest you use that soapbox, with a HUGE audience to educate the masses on our actual form of government, a representative republic, and what was in the hearts of the most compassionate and intellegent men this country has ever seen; the founding fathers.

Limited government, NOT CHARITY or “democratic compassion(reach into others pockets to help their constituentcy)”. John, read the story of Davey Crockett and see what limited govt means then spread the word!! Good luck !

[joejm65]

‘FOX news will eventually bury all others.’

It’s already happened. FOX is steamrolling over the competition. It’s not even close.

[WalterSkinner]

..add Lou Dobbs and the other networks will turn to ashes...

[F15Eagle]

Great news!!!!!!!

[Brilliant]

Fantastic.

[charmedone]

He should hire the young couple that, today, brought forth the damning video of the ACORN criminals agreeing to assist in a criminal venture.

What a coup that would be. Of course, that presumes she is still alive in a month!

[Ann Archy]

AMEN!! EXPLAIN LIMITED GOVERNMENT....and what BIG GOVERNMENT MEANS!!! No one knows.....they think their ROADS won’t be paved with a smaller government.

[I see my hands]

Oh boy.. the players are shifting around. What an interesting show they put on. I’m so excited for John!

[devane617]

The ‘New Media’ grows...

[psjones]

That would explain why i’ve been seeing a little bit more of him on Fox, probably testing the waters. I like Stossel, he’s the reason why i tune in to 20/20.

[Reagan Man]

All in all, John Stossel will be a good addition to the Fox cable channels. If nothing else, Stossel’s penchant for pushing fiscal conservatism is infectious and that should have a significant impact on a wide range of viewers. Up till now, most of his effort was wasted on ABC.

[mel]

As long as they stay on track

[RepublicanChick]

Sweet, this is fabulous news. The only reason I ever tuned into ABC was due to John Stossel (oh, I lied. The series Lost is the other reason to visit, cannot help it).

[truthguy]

I'm a huge Stossel fan. It will be nice to see more of him at FOX- BUT at ABC he reached an audience that needs his ideas much more than the FOX viewer. So in I way I like this but in another way I don't think it's good.

[EmilyGeiger]

Yeah!

[cricket]

John is a 'good guy' and am glad to see him move to a station where his talents can be shared with - and appreciated by more viewers. Congrats to Fox News for making what is a 'good move'!

(Like Beck; John's Liberatarianism can be a 'bit' annoying (legalization of drugs, for one); but while I do not agree with this aspect of Libertarianism; never met one I did not like/lol. . .)

[EmilyGeiger]

They’ll get Lou Dobbs, just wait..... after what he’s put up with.

[bushwon]

I think George will is about all who is left. Wonder what the diversity czar will have to say about that?!

[True Republican Patriot]

FANTASTIC!! WONDERFUL!!!

[cricket]

BUT at ABC he reached an audience that needs his ideas much more than the FOX viewer. So in I way I like this but in another way I don't think it's good.

OTOH. ..they CAN follow him; and that IS good. They will be amazed at Fox News!/lol. . .

[True Republican Patriot]

Now, lets Pray FOX dumps that POS named Shepard Smith!

[balch3]

he’s pro drug, pro-homosexual, pro-abort, and pro-assisted suicide. He’s no conservative.

[LegalEagle61]

He sees the writing on the wall and Fox numbers soaring while the rest of the MSM continues to drop.

[Diego1618]

He’s no conservative.

John fancies himself as a Libertarian. I don't think he has ever claimed to be a conservative.

[truthguy]

Not necessarily. You may find this hard to believe but some don’t have cable. Many people still tune in to broadcast news. Others don’t watch FOX so they don’t know when Stossel will be on. How would you know. ABC isn’t going to tell you.

[Robwin]

It was indeed nice to have one voice of fiscal sanity on the Big 3. With him gone they become an almost completely Liberal ghetto. I wish him the best.

[bikerman]

Welcome John

[FTJM]

Great move for him and Fox.

[Trick or Treat]

I totally agree! The only reason to tune into ABC is “Lost” and 20/20 when Stossel has a segment. The last time I saw him on 20/20 he had a 7 minute segment on why we shouldn’t have Obamacare. Seven whole minutes to show us the dangers of socialized medicine. He should have had the whole hour! Hopefully he will put his new time at FOX to good use.

[cricket]

Not necessarily. You may find this hard to believe but some don’t have cable. Many people still tune in to broadcast news. Others don’t watch FOX so they don’t know when Stossel will be on. How would you know. ABC isn’t going to tell you.

Ok. . .but would bet that those who do ot have/watch cable; vote Democrat. As for not being able to find the programming on Fox News. . .can only say; if they cannot find it; then they were probably not learning a great deal from Stossel! Come on! This sounds too much like a 'Lib victim' argument. Surely they do not need a 'nanny' to find him!

[truthguy]

Cricket I think you need to rethink your analysis. Many people who watch ABC network are not liberals. They might even watch it for the entertainment shows. Typically before a John Stossel show airs there will be many trailers advertising the upcoming show. These teasers will entice people to watch the show. I know this because once in a while I will watch ABC. It's usually a ball game or something of the like. So I see the John Stossel teasers.

Now that he's at Fox he will have a much smaller audience. Yes FOX is big in Cable BUT if you look at the absolute numbers who are tuned in, Broadcast is still much larger than Cable. How do you think Obama got elected. It was the MSM (mainstream media) cheering him on that did it. Mainstream, though declining is still significantly larger than cable.

It's even worse than that. At FOX the viewers will love Stossel. But so what? They loved him before. What we need are moderates who will get Stossel's message. 90+% of the FOX viewers already agree with Stossel.

That's my analysis. But now that it's a done deal, I will enjoy Stossel at FOX.

[McGavin999]

I think the only time I have watched ABC in years has been when John had a special. Other than that I couldn’t find ABC on my remote if my life depended on it.

[cricket]

That's my analysis. But now that it's a done deal, I will enjoy Stossel at FOX.

I totally appreciate you analysis; and am not entirely disagreeing with you. Do get the importance of having 'one of our own' in the enemy camp; sharing the truth of the matter; and without that person; those that the need this truth the most; will see/hear less.

Felt a 'bit' that way when Glenn Beck left CNN; albeit; he could not do at CNN; what Fox News has allowed him to do; he was still there; sharing his contrary opinions. Of course; their audience is largely Liberal; and those that miss Beck; have only to change cable channels to find him; but of course; many will not change (and so be it).

I hope Stossel can get his message out; and those that appreciate John's work; will find a way to continue to. It might even wake a few up as to the limitations of their network - and to their minority status as viewers.

That said; like Beck; Stossel will enjoy more freedom at Fox News and no doubt; he looks forward to that. Think as well; that ABC pulling Stossel's special on Canadian Health Care so as to not interrupt their Michael Jackson coverage; may have made John's decision for 'change', a much easier one.

When reading of his anger/disappointment; thought to myself; I bet he ends up at Fox News. . .and so it is; he has.