
<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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. ; ;</p>



<p>Fox has two choices. ; Pick someone from within – or pick an outsider.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>So, there ‘tis.</p>

FOX Still Number One … But its Closer
