EXCLUSIVE: Advanced Talks Underway For New Conservative Network

Mediaite ^ | April 28, 2017 | Rachel Stockman

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EXCLUSIVE: Advanced Talks Underway For New Conservative Network Amid Fears Fox News Moving Too Far Left (title)

On the heels of major shakeups at the Fox News Network, an alternative conservative network is being actively discussed amongst conservative fat cats.

A well-placed source close to the proposal tells Mediaite that serious discussions are underway to create an alternative conservative cable network on the belief that the Fox News Network is moving too far to the left. The source, who is engaged in the talks, says a meeting is planned for today with two prominent high-powered television executives, some underperforming conservative networks and people who have an interest and the ability to fund a new network.

The potential aim? Putting “the old band” back together. There are certainly plenty of (out-of-work?) conservative powerhouses to pick from that could star on a new network, and perhaps even some executives from within Fox News who might be lured by the new opportunity. Could the new channel include stars like the ousted Bill O’Reilly, who didn’t waste much time hitting the podcast waves after he was fired amid a sexual harassment scandal? Could Tomi Lahren, the conservative mega star, who was recently sidelined at The Blaze also take on a prominent role? The exact “who” won’t be clear until the deal is more defined but the source says the pitch is that the network could immediately reach at least 85 million homes.

This news comes on the heels of a long profile in last weekend’s New York Times which paints a picture of a changing Fox News Network with Murdoch’s sons, James and Lachlan, CEO and co-chairman of parent company 21st Century Fox, at the helm. The piece struck fear into the minds of some Fox News’ hardcore conservatives with talk of the sons wanting to rid the company “of the old-guard culture on which their father built his empire” and bringing “a warmer and fuzzier workplace” that would move away from an “anti-politically correct environment.”

On Thursday, New York Magazine‘s Gabe Sherman, a constant thorn in the side of Fox News, reported that “sweeping management changes” may be coming to the network as well. Sherman’s report cited three anonymous sources that contend that the network’s co-President Bill Shine recently asked the Murdoch sons to release a statement in support of him amid the roiling lawsuits and scandals. Both Fox News and 21 Century Fox have vigorously denied that Shine made such a request but the report by Sherman prompted a rather mysterious tweet about the “total end of the FNC as we know it” by the network’s biggest remaining star, Sean Hannity:

Gäbe i pray this is NOT true because if it is, that’s the total end of the FNC as we know it. Done. Best Sean https://t.co/W3BJ2wjzRD

— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) April 27, 2017

It is no surprise that a savvy investor would see the turmoil within Fox News as a major opportunity. As The Times piece noted, analysts estimate that Fox News produced 25 percent of 21st Century Fox’s operating income last year or a whopping $6.6 billion. Conservative news remains a cash cow for investors, but the media landscape is quickly changing with younger viewers “cutting the chord” and turning to alternative over-the-top live streaming platforms like Hulu, Amazon, Roku and YouTube TV. Could a conservative alternative channel with some big names have an edge on the 20-year-old conservative network? Stay tuned. Our source is convinced it can happen.

[silverleaf]

OAN definitely needs some professional retooling
It tries too hard and comes across as amateurishly obvious
Almost a caricature instead of a professional big league news team

[pgkdan]

Could the new channel include stars like the ousted Bill O’Reilly,

I thought the headline said they were looking to form a new CONSERVATIVE cable channel...

[Dr. Ursus]

Yes,we don’t need anymore pusillanimous pussyfooters! Forty years to use that in a sentence!

[pgkdan]

OAN definitely needs some professional retooling It tries too hard and comes across as amateurishly obvious

I've tried watching but every time I've tuned in it's just someone sitting at a news desk reading the news in a monotone. It's worse than morning announcements by the AV club at high school.

[Floratina]

“The problem is that the right doesn’t know how to create a brand to save their lives.”

What do you call Fox News? They’ve been beating all the rest in the ratings for years and years. That’s no guarantee it will always be so obviously, especially if they move left.

[Vlad The Inhaler]

Did you ever have a neighborhood restaurant that was popular and one you liked and frequented?

One that became successful by serving good food at fair prices backed up by a friendly atmosphere and excellent customer service?

Then one day a sign in the window said “Under New Management”.

The founders had passed the business on to their children who were full of new ideas and determined to improve the things they didn’t like.

The menu changed, the comfy home-style favorites were gone, prices went up while the quality of service went down. The remodeled decor and atmosphere were cold and impersonal.

And less than a year later the business closed and the building was vacant.

But just several blocks away a new restaurant had opened up and become a neighborhood success by serving good food at fair prices backed up by a friendly atmosphere and excellent customer service.

[caww]

The potential aim perhaps????? Putting “the old band” back together.

I think they might very well have a chance of doing so.....things have changed all the way around and the media giants continue to behave as if things are still the same...they aren’t.

[Political Junkie Too]

The problem is that the right doesn’t know how to create a brand to save their lives. They will either give the network a cheesy name like “One America News”...

That was obviously a reaction to John Edwards' "two Americas." That said, as a brand over time the connection would be lost.

Maybe we need a network called "Constitutional America News?"

This network would air the news of the day, but would always frame the stories within a Constitutional context. Explain how the courts are acting extra-constitutionally with particular stories of recent court rulings; explain how Congress is abdicating its Constitutional powers when they act or don't act in particular stories; explain how local news stories are within states rights or are federal nullification.

-PJ

[Presbyterian Reporter]

Why is it that CNN, MSNBC, PBS, CBS, NBC, and ABC can survive as very leftist TV news media in a country where nearly 50% of the residents have a conservative political viewpoint?

Why can’t a conservative TV news media prosper?

Conservative talk radio prospers, why not Conservative TV?

[Junior_G]

If more conservative is what they’re after, pro-abort Tomi Lahren isn’t the way to do it.

[VanDeKoik]

“Maybe we need a network called “Constitutional America News?””

That’s still along the same lines.

It doesn’t need a qualifier in the name. It will just come across as gimmicky.

[CodeToad]

Exactly. CNN went down after 20years as has now Fox after 20 years.

[Buckeye McFrog]

“Conservative Fat Cats” = the same old RINO enablers who have always been the problem.

[MayflowerMadam]

Seriously? Why re-invent the wheel? Just invest the resources in OAN. They’re on the right track, established, and the audience is growing. Stupid to start from Square One for another network.

[Political Junkie Too]

How is it different from the American Broadcasting Company, or the National Broadcasting Company, or the Columbia Broadcasting System?

-PJ

[weston]

Yes, build on OAN. Recruit O’Reilly, Lehren, Tantaros, bring in Palin and Huckabee for fun. Also Alan West and Herman Cain. There is a wealth of talent available.

[Taxman]

Well played!

[Vlad The Inhaler]

Why is it that CNN, MSNBC, PBS, CBS, NBC, and ABC can survive as very leftist TV news media in a country where nearly 50% of the residents have a conservative political viewpoint?

Don't overlook the fact that the FOX network is partially owned by pro-terrorist Saudi Prince AlWaleed Bin Talal Al-Saud. From what I read he has about an 8% stake.

Back in 2006 E.D. Hill (aka Donahey) one of the first (and best) FOX anchors lost her position as host on FOX & Friends and was eventually let go (some say booted) when she referred to a Barack and Michelle Obama Black Panther style fist bump as a "terrorist fist jab."

The leftists and muslims became enraged and with no prior notice E.D. was pulled from the show to be replaced by Gretchen Carlson!

Friday E.D. was the host and Monday she was gone with no explanation from FOX.

So FOX hasn't really been solidly conservative for a long time.

[Vermont Lt]

I dont think you need to go way over to the ultra right. You simply need to provide news. News without opinions, news without arguments, news without name calling, and news without fake outrage.

Most people do not realize how tough it is to make up enough stories to keep a channel on all day long. There is not all that much going on in the world.

Finally, the reason why these news channels go through these fake news and fake emotion stories is because that is what people want to watch. You probably don’t tell anyone that is why its on...but for a lot of people, news done the way in the olden days was dreadfully boring.

[COUNTrecount]

OAN is not readily available in many markets, the only way I can see it is for $4.99 per month through my Amazon Fire Stick.