FOX Still Number One … But its Closer
Recent cable news ratings still have FOX News in the number one position – but the Dominion Case and firing of Tucker Carlson have had an impact. Previous headlines, “FOX crushes competition,” would be hyperbolic today.
The most notable change is in the Tucker Carlson time slot. In previous ratings, FOX held a substantial lead with the top 12 most viewed shows. In the latest report, MSNBC’s “All In” with Chris Hayes—with 1.4 million viewers – slipped past FOX News (the former Carlson spot) with 1.3 million viewers.
Whether Hayes can maintain a lead is uncertain. FOX is in the midst of a viewer aftershock from Carlson fans – and they have not yet elected a permanent host commentator for the program. In the meantime, that primetime slot is being offered as another of the network’s traditional news programming.
The rest of FOX’s programs (5 p.m. to 11 p.m.) continue to lead – but not by as much. The main FOX benefactor is MSNBC. CNN is still working on redefining itself – and still struggles in a distant third place.
This means that only MSNBC – among the cable news outfits – has a consistent brand and a fairly stable left-wing audience. They have probably gone about as far as they can go. The challenge for the uber left news is to maintain its audience as FOX and CNN attempt to gain back their footing. This may be a challenge for MSNBC since polling suggests that the public is moving away from uber left policies and candidates.
The challenges for FOX and CNN are different. FOX may be suffering a momentary reaction to current in-house issues. FOX is not only the reporter of the news that has impacted on the network. They are the news itself. This is different than a fundamental branding and philosophy problem that has caused CNN to fall from its once top perch.
For FOX, the key question is “Who?” I can envision the characteristics of the person that would aid in FOX’s recovery. It would take someone with conservative values who can effectively articulate the difference between conservatives and progressives – Republicans and Democrats. The person would need to be a fighter for conservative values and policies but with a less pugnacious – more appealing personality than Carlson. A lot depends on stage presence and charisma.
Fox has two choices. Pick someone from within – or pick an outsider.
If I were to pick from within, I would consider former Congressman Jason Chaffetz or former Congressman Trey Gowdy. As a wild card pick, I might consider Gregg Gutfeld – who is popular on “The Five,” and his late night “Gutfeld!” show is topping the other late-night comedians.
They could go outside. There are a number of conservative commentators who could reset the show to the top of the mountain. My favorite would be Candace Owens. A black woman on the right would provide a nice balance to the extreme views of MSNBC’s Joy Reid – although they are not in the same time slot.
CNN is not likely to gain without making more changes. While they finally dumped Don Lemon, the replacements in both of Lemon’s former time slots are not doing much to improve ratings. I would move Alisyn Camerota back to some daytime slot and give that evening hour to a guy like Michael Smerconish (the insider option) or former presidential candidate Andrew Yang (the outsider option). Yes, they both lean left, but not entirely – and CNN is not about to hire a hardline conservative. The Ted Turner brainchild has ignored their weekend coverage by leaving Jim Acosta with too much time. He is fungible and should be replaced.
For FOX and CNN, the stir at the bottom of the pond has yet to settle. How they do in the future will depend on the decisions and changes they make in the near future. It will be interesting to watch.
So, there ‘tis.
Well Larry you found another topic that I actually care much less about than AI. I do not watch any of these people. I read most of my news. I do watch CBS live streaming. My understanding is that the Tuckster is heading to Twitter to be the head twit. I wish him good luck. Hopefully Frank will have something funny to say.
There’s nothing funny about Tucker. He’s a broken little man who lies to line his pockets for a living and is abusive to most he runs into, unless he needs something. A massive spreader of misinformation, he treats his followers as cannon fodder, while he is unwilling to tow the line and enter the fray.
What’s really funny is that Tucker Carlson is basically everything that conservatives hate. He’s a mutt that’s part New Englander and part San Francisco mmWhat’s really funny is that Tucker Carlson is basically everything that conservatives hate. He’s a mutt that’s part New Englander and part San Franciscan. But 100%. It’s not those breath of the rich variety. Pretty funny, considering. FYI, I believe his entire family are liberals. OK, that’s funny 😉
Fox will falter, probably not come back to same strength given I expect new networks to rise., Tucker will find a new home, but most likely never get his fox viewership back unless a new network rises to take on fox.
I used to hope he would be the modern George Will. Then again, I had great hopes for Ted Cruz when he was in Texas.
It’s too bad the party could not listen to Liz, she told the truth. It would have set itself back on the course that Reagan would respect. The only thing you can say now is that they live in a world of delusion since their leader is just plain batshit crazy at this point. Another defamation suit is on its way based on his Townhall, and is repeating the same thing that found him guilty last time.
Anyone who thinks that electing Trump would resume where he lead off, believes that Biden is equal to Obama. Good luck with that. It would be four years of revenge and retribution. He is an adjudicated sex abuser, who defends others for his own profit.
It’s always been hard to find a joke with Trump. I stopped laughing as he left the New Jersey shore. But for humor today, turn to the DeadHam Report or the Hunter Biden investigation. Can’t find shit but let’s hold a press conference to say we lost our top witness. Witless is more like it.
Then there’s a guy on the red bike on the DC mall yelling at the white supremacists marching and ranting. Telling them their Walmart Kakis don’t match. That one’s never gonna get old. I believe the left has found a new tool in the toolbox against white supremacy.
Gonna be a hot summer, buckle up buttercups.
For a real fun time, turn to the Giuliani tapes. Offering pardons for $2 million, telling his office worker she can use his guest room as he sits on the bed and whips it out. Hard to believe except he did the same thing in the Borat movie. It’s on film. The audio tapes are marvelous but better yet, thave all the emails. They have been verified and validated. It’s going to make Hunter Biden’s PC look like a fart in a hurricane. I believe he’s got all of the Trump kids in his email basket. Don Jr has got to fuck up there Oh my, now that’s funny.
Rudy’s going away for the rest of his life. Thus ends America’s mayor. Sigh.
Innocent until proven guilty, but this one does not look good at all. Funny though.
Being Tucker Carlson and being placed in a family of liberals. Now that’s darn funny!!! Thank you Frank!
I agree, I liked Liz Cheney. I thought she spoke the truth fairly honestly. Everybody puts a smidgen of spin on things, but she did well to stay within the guardrails. Ronny would be proud of her. But the GOP is only interested in their version of truth, not real truth. By the way, Liz Cheney voted against a federal law that would prohibit discrimination against transgender people. Just sayin…:>) I agree, GOP has gone nuts!
Wow, now here is some truth I agree with on Trump! “He is an adjudicated sex abuser, who defends others for his own profit.” Wow, now that is truth straight up!!! Are you listening Darrel??? But I have to admit, I like my Walmart kakis. And I got them at a rollback price! !
Good job Frank. You added life to Larry’s article. I enjoy the lighter side of you!
Hey Frank your thoughts on America’s mayor are funny!! I did not see the Borat movie but I will have to look for it. But the comparative you use, “fart in a hurricane”, now that’s a funny visual!!!! So Rudy ends up trying to be a “Johnny Wadd Porn Star” ??? Wow, who knew!!
So Rudy is going on trial? I have not heard of this. Where can I find the tapes?
So far your responses are getting more comments than the original article. Wow!
Tapes held by client and lawyer, same with emails. They state they will release as testimony takes place
Obviously, Rudy make Trump look almost normal
Frank, the only thing missing from your comment is” Live from New York, its Saturday night live ”
The caparisons you make between the Trump family and the Biden’s is a joke.
I know you have distain for the Trumps, but the Biden’s should be in Prison along with the Clintons.
And to think they locked up Martha Stewart for insider trading and the Biden’s have sold America down the Toilet
and people like you do not care.
It is not the 10 million they made but the decades of damage to our country.
I thought treason was punishable by death during time of war.
That is probably the real reason Biden does not want boots on the ground.
A few quick points Darren. First, I think Donald, Donald Jr. Trump, and Jarret, Hillary Clinton, and Joe, Hunter, Joe’s brother and several family members that benefit from all of those fake LLC’s should all be in jail for a long time. Second, Martha Stewart clearly violated SEC rules which is an easily proved crime. The aforementioned actors in my item one are much more sneaky. Biden still has time to be convicted yet. Keep the faith. But do listen to Frank on Trump. And ya gotta love that “fart in a hurricane” comparative! Now that’s funny! Did he get that from Robin Williams, “Good Morning Vietnam” movie???
Darwin, I do care for the rule of law, and if they are guilty —–> adjudicate them. As to the Trump kid’s emails from Ghouliani’s mailbox, time will tell, they have ten’s of thousands: “The suit also says Dunphy had access to Giuliani’s private emails, including messages “from, to, or concerning President Trump, the Trump family (including … Donald Trump Jr, Ivanka Trump and Eric Trump) [and] Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.”
“A former associate of Rudy Giuliani sued the former New York mayor, presidential candidate and attorney to Donald Trump for $10m on Monday, alleging “abuses of power, wide-ranging sexual assault and harassment, wage theft and other misconduct” including “alcohol-drenched rants that included sexist, racist and antisemitic remarks”.
“The lawsuit also included an allegation that Giuliani asked Dunphy “if she knew anyone in need of a pardon” because “he was selling pardons for $2m, which he and President Trump would split”.
Oh yeah, there’s recordings and film……. And I agree, it will be featured on SNL, sooon. Be there.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/may/15/rudy-giuliani-lawsuit-noelle-dunphy-sexual-assault
I will be looking for it Frank! I do wonder if Joe Biden will pardon Hunter Biden to preempt Hunter being adjudicated? How do you feel about that?
No one that high up in Politics does not get there without mud on their shoes.
If Biden were to do the things you are pointing out Trump and or his people are accused of, that is bad thing as well.
But how does that effect my cost of fuel, how would that effect the interest rates, the border wall, Letting Chinese Balloons fly over America,
Giving billions to Ukraine, letting our country’s city’s get destroyed, criminals walking the streets, out of control Drugs everywhere.
Yes, the Clintons ( Hillary is an evil bitch ) would not have sold America out like the Biden’s.
There is one thing to use influence as a means for personal gain, Every politician will do this as one of the perks to be in the office.
The way the Biden’s have done this is at a direct cost to ALL AMERICANS.
In the case of the Biden’s, it is not so much about what he gained, but more of what the Country has lost!
Darren, you don’t think Hillary would have sold us out??? Gosh did you not know that Hillary was the influence and key cog in the influence wheel that allowed the Russians to buy a US uranium mine??? Did you not see the big stink over that? Was your head under a rock at that time?? Did you not see the John Oliver report on Hillary and the Clinton Foundation??? Did you not read where half of the Clinton Foundation employees were laid off, let go permanently, the day after she lost the election??? Trump and Clinton are two cheeks of the same asshole!
Dude, you always hurt the one you love… Bashing on Clintons; how dare you.
Fact is a layoffs started in September before the election, and the writing was pretty much on the wall as to what would happen if she lost. That said, sure sounds creepy to lose donations to the foundation. However, much financial malfeasance has been suggested, including your fake uranium non-issue, they have never been taken to court. Feel free. My take is always if you have the evidence, prove it, and take them to court.
If anything, all of this points to people willing to pay money for access, even when it appears to make very little sense. Fine art from either George Bush or Hunter Biden will never get you access anywhere; it’s paint by numbers. But yet they do it. Bottom line is you can make all the allegations you want about Joe Biden or the Clintons regarding money for access. But today, you haven’t even come close to making it stick. And they just lost their top witness. Go figure on that one. Can’t wait to see the 300 FBI whistleblowers march up.
Right now it looks like Republicans are a bunch of paper, Tigers. Even our failed impeachment look better. Certainly had a higher level of production for the 1/6 fun.
And while we’re on the topic, let’s remember those patents given to Ivanka Trump on the day Don had dinner with the Chinese God. There’s plenty of trump kid fodder, in China. Not to mention the Trump business in general, which was run by the kids while he was president. Amazing that he had to sell the hotel next to the White House right as he left the office because business suddenly went downhill.. Go figure. I wouldn’t bet on the Trump kids.
But, the bottom line is, we probably need some stronger laws here to include friends and family when it comes to buying access. Until then, keep fishing, but you’re gonna need a bigger boat.😉. All I can say, and leave you with his, when you go after Bill Clinton, remember, Ken Starr… Nobody else does….
And congratulations on North Carolina being the best state in the union to do business. Nice job. Too bad about that abortion ban. Not gonna get a lot of Internet companies in that environment. But good job. And now I’m off for another swim. This is the earliest I have ever gone in in over 30 years. Amazing.
I agree Frank, we need stronger laws to reign in these officials from skirting the rules in ways that can never be fully traced back to them and have them charged. They always weasel their way. Clintons have gotten much money from Russia. My feeling is she was one of eight members of the committee to approve the sale to Uranium One. She sent a rep and did not even attend herself, how convenient then this cannot be traced to her and her rep is on the voting record. She most likely gave her rep instructions to vote yes unless something really bad was noticed. This way it falls in the area that Hillary herself coined as “Plausible Deniability” – she is an expert at this. And just before that vote, Bill was paid $500K to speak in Russia. IMO, if it stinks, (and this stinks) it is rotten somewhere and Clinton finger prints are all over it! Read about it at * https://www.factcheck.org/2017/10/facts-uranium-one/ *
Did you not see the ” Hillary is an Evil Bitch Part”.
Trump is nothing like Hillary, neither was Obama “NOT a FAN, but
Biden and Hillary need to be on the same sinking Boat so America could watch Hillary
Bitch Slap Biden for the last Life Jacket.
Not really news, but great entertainment.
And yet she was never settled for umpteen fraud accounts, nor impeached, twice, nor adjudicated as a sexual abuser and for defamation.
But wait, there’s more….
Hey Frank, this may be off topic but have you been able to comment on Larry’s article on age restrictions on candidates for POUTS? I read the article but could not find a comment box?
POUTS, that’s Freudian….
On my screen the story is noted twice in the listing, and neither allows comment access. I think it’s “oldtimeers” myself as Mr. HOrist is subject to stuttering and squashing any critical commentary.
That’s OK, on the phone it’s tends to get “tired” and hangs if you continue.
Then there’s the guy who can’t find an old post pointing to a NI (not intelligent) search engine.
Obviously, unlike Larry says, JOE’s engineering degree is NOT in web design :>)
heh heh…..
Then again, I just super-scrubbed my laptop and now the fingerprint recognition stopped worked. Thank goodness for the good stuff so I could pinpoint the driver, see the update date, and revert on dot release back. I just love that feature.
Sorry, got to scoot —- 3:50 and it’s equity day for the kids….. they are in “training……”
Frank Stetson …. More lies?? I do not stutter and do NOT quash cortical commentary. I am a free speech advocate — and if any one was going to be quashed, you would be the most deserving, But no matter how wrong or dishonest you are, you are always allowed to rant.
Good one Frank. I did not catch that POTUS problem before I posted. Ok. So Larry did not want the voices of reality to comment on this one. But he did say he is in perfect health and full of vitality. I guess we will have to wait and see if he opens it up for comment.
That’s great that you are going to teach the children how to build equity. I am sure you can give them a lot of tips on stocks and bonds!
On POTUS age, there is no mandatory retirement age in the USA. I like to keep it that way. The issue is how do we balance age discrimination (mandatory retirement) and POTUS performance and needs of the country. Larry points to CEO’s having to retire by a certain age, but these are all negotiated contracts where the potential CEO did agree in order to get the top notch spot. I think this is a lot different that a law that says you cannot apply because you are too old. Having said this, I think it very acceptable to have some sort of a federally mandated physical and mental health screening requirement to ensure that it is highly likely that the candidate will be able to perform all duties of the POTUS during their four years should they win. And then have a mid term screening to ensure the results are the same. And each election cycle, the incumbent and the challengers go through a health screen. And the health screen needs to be done by a neutral military hospital or other demonstrably neutral facility that all candidates agree upon. All results should be made public. My issue is while I may be a little concerned about Biden’s age, I am only concerned from the standpoint of Harris taking the reins. If he had a better VPOTUS ticket mate, I would be less concerned. Truth is, I wish POTUS and VPOTUS were separate and elected separately.