Fox News' Place In An Obama World

MarketWatch's Jon Friedman Says Network Can Now Revert To Its Favorite Posture -- Outsider

(MarketWatch)  This is the first installment in a three-part series by MarketWatch media columnist Jon Friedman examining the prospects for the three major cable-news operations entering a Barack Obama presidency.

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In the aftermath of Sen. Barack Obama's stirring victory over John McCain, I've been hearing speculation about another potentially eye-opening event: the end of Fox News Channel's reign as the king of cable news.

The logic goes that because a left-leaning Obama is now in power, Fox will be in decline. Some people say that the voters who swept the Illinois senator into office will reflect his liberal views and turn away from Fox. I'd suggest three words of caution:

Not so fast.

News Corp. unit Fox is No. 1 today in the cable ratings, and has been for nearly seven years. (News Corp. also owns MarketWatch, the publisher of this column.) There are three main reasons to suspect that it can stay there:

Fox can take comfort in knowing that its core audience of politically conservative Americans is loyal to the point of being rabid. That won't change one bit, even with a Democrat in the White House.

Under Roger Ailes, the head of Fox News since its inception, the unit has never been complacent, and it won't start coasting now.

Fox, which loves to portray itself as the underdog, can now rally the troops to a fever pitch by reverting to its favorite public posture: The Outsider.

Fox should have a relatively easy time of maintaining its core viewers, who trend to the right. Even as Obama raced past McCain during the campaign, Fox was able to maintain its position of dominance in the cable ratings.

As TVWeek recently noted, Fox marked its 12th anniversary in October with a major ratings victory that catapulted it to be the second-most watched basic cable network in prime-time for the month.

In recent weeks, Fox has fortified its ranks. It re-signed Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity. It recruited Glenn Beck, who had been with CNN's Headline News division.

History on its side

Remember, the upstart Fox News Channel rose to prominence during Bill Clinton's presidency. Under the leadership of Ailes, Fox News brilliantly identified a large audience of millions of disenfranchised American voters, the underlying key to its ability to sprint past CNN when that Time Warner unit looked indestructible.

Fox News was launched in 1996, just as Clinton was about to embark on a second term in the White House. It was a time when Bob Dole was the public face of the Republican Party and even amid popularity of Newt Gingrich and Rush Limbaugh, the G.O.P. seemed hopelessly mired in mediocrity after back-to-back resounding wins by Clinton.

People sometimes forget how much of an obstacle Fox had to over come in those days. CNN had established a huge, winning image during the first invasion of Iraq in 1991. In the ensuing years, CNN more or less lived off its reputation. CNN had no idea that Fox would prove to be so ambitious, and capable of blowing past it in the ratings.

Ailes' formula was brilliant in its execution: appeal to voters who felt voiceless and were turned off by Bill and Hillary Clinton's policies and values.

Viewer retention

But today, Fox's path may not be as smooth. On Election Night from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., according to Nielsen Media Research, CNN topped Fox, 12.3 million viewers to 9 million.

Fox, which takes pride in having a consistently high retention rate of viewers, was still able to turn in its second-highest prime time result in total viewers and its highest 25-to-54 demographic ever.

Then again, it may be a mistake to draw long-standing conclusions from the results of one night. Remember, copies of newspapers flew off the shelves immediately following the historic Obama victory, but that didn't change anything about the doleful state of the newspaper industry.

Yes, it will be a challenge to continue to stay on top. Fox has done it before.

[smurfcrusher]

I expect those so-called "rabid Republicans" may yet be immunized by the excellence of a great President.

Facing huge obstacles, President Obama may yet shine in the most challenging environment ever to face a modern President.

If Obama lives up to his full potential, Mr. O''Reilly will become a Democrat.

Anything is possible.

[ramos937]

I have watched several Fox programs and enjoy them except for the political content. In that area, such programs like F&F, H&C (Sean only), Gibson, etc. always are unfair and unbalanced. Sean Hannity and F&F for example, ran segment after segment on Obama''s possible involvement with a "known" terroist named Bill Ayers. Nothing was ever proven, just a lot of inuendos. Now that the election is past, they have dropped the subject. Fox has always been that way with its political reporting. It will never change under current management.

[xlib]

Did any of you watch the interview with the chosen one or with hillary?? Have any of you watched FOX post election?? If what you want is nothing more than the propaganda and watered down news from your chosen ones administration, you''ll get it.
If what you want is censorship and silencing of any differing voice, you''ll probably get it. Your messiah has already said in 2001 that he finds great fault in our constitution. I''m sure that interview has been destroyed. He probably isn''t too fond of our Bill of Rights. So, silence any perceived dissent and disarm the citizens. Worked in Nazi Germany.

[xlib]

smurfcrusher-I don''t know what potential you see but WHATEVER. As for rabid REpublicans, sweetie, you''ve been reading this site and other lib sites. YOu libs expect us to act the way you have been acting for the past 8 years. No group hates quite like the dems. So, I see you are for censorship and doing away with the 1st amendment. I suppose you are also in far of re-education camps??
What kind of brown shirt did you order?

[omnibus66]

Fox News is the TV version of The National Enquirer, an electronic tabloid aimed at a specific audience. They will, indeed, always have a rabid following since they give the whackos that watch what they want to see and hear.

Whenever I go into someones home where Fox News is on, I try to avoid talking religion or politics. I have found that having a rational discussion with Foxaholics on those two subjects is impossible.

[skysoldier75]

Fox News is the #1 cable news channel?

That definitely comes as news to me!

In all the years that I''ve had cable TV (too many to count) I''ve only watched Fox News maybe a half-dozen times (even that''s probably too generous an estimate).

The very first time I watched Fox News I could see instantly that what Fox was presenting was really not "news" at all, it was pure 100% right-wing propaganda, presented in a highly aggressive and distasteful "in your face" sort of way.

The few other times that I''ve watched it was just for laughs and giggles, and to shake my head in wonder that anybody actually watched such drivel, or took it seriously.

I like my news as unbiased and straight-up as humanly possible. I can think for myself. I''m quite capable of interpreting the "news" all on my own - I certainly don''t need a bunch of right-wing nut cases to do that for me.

I truly find it totally impossible to even think of Fox News as a "real" news program at all.

[pjc27]

"Your messiah has already said in 2001 that he finds great fault in our constitution."

Did you ever read the Constitution? The problem with these right wing nutcases is they don''t know a *** thing about what they argue. Get a history book, study cvic, and geography... maybe you can start a study group with that idiot Palin.

Fox news sucks egg. All they are is part of the whole wackjob right wing consiracy, and that''s not news or real journalism. I hope Obama puts them in the corner where they belong.

[irmcvet97]

What kind of brown shirt did you order?

Posted by Xlib at 07:38 AM : Nov 10, 2008

It''s truly embarrassing, considering how many American''s died fighting Fascist, to see someone who doesn''t even know where they came from. Since school kids are told in the 6th grade that Fascist are Radical RIGHT WING People you must either assume that these people haven''t gotten that far in school OR cut their History Classes to burn crosses! Which was it in the case of this simple minded loser? Who knows... WHO CARES!

[oldguy4truth]

Is it just me, or hasn''t Fox been kissing but since election night? Even Wallace yesterday seemd sweet. It was almost sickning.

[usclimey]

You have to realize that Fox News caters for the lower than average IQ, in the 70 - 100 range. All you have to do is watch a NASCAR race on Sunday to figure out how many of those people we have in this country - hence the ratings. Remember also right-wingers ONLY listen to Faux whereas the rest of us have twenty or so outlets for information. Thus the vast majority of people really ane not Faux acolytes despite their ratings.

[ilsadago]

Jeez....talk about bias! Did anyone notice that this article is on the CBS web site? I had to stop watching Couric because her overwhelming bias favoring the Dems was enough to make me sick. "News" isn''t news on ANY of the networks anymore. It''s all opinion and conjecture, talking heads and in some cases, pure libel. Want to find out how the world thinks? Turn off the TV and get out of the house.

[mytoosense]

...YOu libs expect us to act the way you have been acting for the past 8 years. No group hates quite like the dems...

Yeah, This from the party who tried to impeach a Democrat President over lieing about a B.J.

The party suppported by the likes of Sean Hannity, Bill O''Reilly and Rush Limbaugh.

The party of choice by Skinheads nation wide.

Nice Try.

[earthmomjs]

The thought of life without Hannity and O''Reilly ~ euphoria!

[usclimey]

If I want balance I go to bbc.co.uk the only truly independant news source left in the world as it does not take advertisements.

[hitoyou1]

I would not watch Fox News if it was the only NEWS on TV. Most of the paeople on Fox are no good and all they do is talk and cut other people off, if they do not agree with there dumb idels. Bill O''Reilly is a no good SOB and always will be. He should not be on any TV, He should be in an OUT HOUSE some where.

[hotwitch]

The Fox News lineup consistently beats all other news networks by a wide margin. Especially in prime time. Why is it that CBSnews.com is a little preoccupied with FoxNews lately? This is the second commentary in two weeks. People will flock to Foxnews now, only dummies will be satisfied with the gushy Obama pieces the "mainstream" media is cranking out.

[shingles1]

Obama_Dkhed, you say you''re a ''real American''. Who do you consider NOT ''real Americans''?

[xlib]

earthmomsj-so here''s a suggestion for you. Don''t want to watch FOX news programs-DON''T WATCH!! Sorta like conservatives probably don''t watch, read or listen to the left. You libs have cbs, nbc,abc,msnbc,ny times,hollywood and every other msm site.
BAsed on your post you obviously are in favor of censorship and doing away with that pesky freedom of speech.
I bet you will happily send your kiddies off the the chosen one''s militia.

[mytoosense]

Limey, if you truly believe the left wing pinko organization BBC offers anything even resembling fair or balanced, you reveal without a doubt how you have no clue about being a real American.
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Posted by Obama_Dkhed

usclimey, do what I do anytime a poster uses the term "Real American".
Insert the word ********* between the two words.

I enjoy watching the BBC for an outsiders view of American news.

[xlib]

mytoosense-lying is lying but I do remember a piece in the ny ti es praising bubba for his ability to lie. And btw, aren''t you the party who points to anything in the past as ancient history.
I repeat, no party hates like the left. But, you will probably get your way leeming, all the screaming about the Patriot Act (your chosen one voted for it)will look really,really benign. Now, tell us how you are in favor of doing away with freedom of speech.
Guess it was ok for the smut on Air America, real hate speech.

[usclimey]

Posted by Obama_Dkhed

Your only definition of fair and balanced is a blond with both **** the same size - you''re a singularly ignorant peasant.

[xlib]

usclimey-how very elitist of you, very elitist. Say, how''s that unemployment rate in jolly ole England?? How many ER''s have closed??

[usclimey]

Why is it, if Fox is fair and balanced, that anyone who comes on with a view that differs with that of the host, they simply get shouted down. I don''t understand why anyone other than a right-wing loon would lower themselves to being interviewed by any of these Fox clowns.

[deathofusa]

I enjoy watching the BBC for an outsiders view of American news.
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Posted by mytoosense at 09:54 AM : Nov 10, 2008


Just like I enjoy reading Al Jazeera to see what the ragheads are thinking. So far, very scary. They are so happy with the pick of Obama. Hmmmm. I wonder why. I guess they may feel that it is going to be easier for them with Obama in the seat. I believe they are right. Let''s see.

[xlib]

Wow, talk about hate. As for knowing where facism comes from, well first you dehumanize your supposed opponents. You stifle any kind of dissent, take over the media. SAy, go on line and just look up FAbian Socialism. Very interesting.
irmcvet97-You know what, lowering yourself to name calling is so typical, just typical. As for the facists in the 30''s being classified as right wing, perhaps. But, times have changed and the basic tenents of facism remain. Now, just what side is stifling any dissent?? What side wants to take over the media??
And, in your own words, you don''t care.
Just what brown shirt did you order?

[usclimey]

usclimey-how very elitist of you, very elitist. Say, how''''s that unemployment rate in jolly ole England?? How many ER''''s have closed??

Posted by Xlib

Elitest to you is anyone with an IQ above 100, you know roughly twice yours. Just go back to your trailer and open another bottle of moonshine.

[xlib]

usclimey-guess you missed the interviews with hillary clinton and the chosen one.
I bet you just love mathews, what with that tingle up his leg. AND, let''s not forget olberman. Yea, there''s real reporting for you.

[deathofusa]

Just the beginning of total socialism/communism.

[oscarez]

Obama_Dkhed you are a moron!!!

[deathofusa]

I enjoy watching the BBC for an outsiders view of American news.
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Posted by mytoosense at 09:54 AM : Nov 10, 2008


Just like I enjoy reading Al Jazeera to see what the ragheads are thinking. So far, very scary. They are so happy with the pick of Obama. Hmmmm. I wonder why. I guess they may feel that it is going to be easier for them with Obama in the seat. I believe they are right. Let''''s see.

[xlib]

usclimey-There you go, true, true elitism!! Didn''t answer my questions though did you?
Say, mensa chief, why is it that you eitists always resort to name calling?? Why is that?? You just can''t get into a discussion, can you. Bet you want to do away with freedom of speech.

[oldguy4truth]

Reckon how many more millions of American babies will be chopped up and parted out for verious purposes in these Demoturd Baby Slaughtering Houses under Barack NObama??




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Posted by Obama_Dkhed

Your Charactorization of a serious subject like abortion, speakes volumes to your intellect. This is a very complicated matter, that only bennefits the "Doctors" , who choose to make an easy living doing a five minute- $2000.00 proceedure. Lives are effected personally every day by decisions made on how to deal with an unwanted , or dangerous pregnacy. Not being a woman, I do not feel that I am qualified to make that decision for them.

[usclimey]

BTW: Seeing as how I am an OLD black man, I really don''''t even like blondes, balanced or no.

Posted by Obama_Dkhed

You sure don''t sound like an old black man - more like an old KKK member who should be in jail for what y''all did in the sixties. Anyone who calls bbc "pinko" must have been a MacCarthy supporter at one time of another.

[usclimey]

AND, let''''s not forget olberman. Yea, there''''s real reporting for you.

Posted by Xlib

Olberman doesn''t claim to be a "real" reporter - he''s actually an Ex-Fox news sports reporter from L.A. He''s not real news but he is funny. Anyone who gives the Fox dickheads what they deserve is OK with me.

[usclimey]

Just the beginning of total socialism/communism.

Posted by deathofUSA

You still have no idea what those terms mean. you need to take political science 101.

[ljb6599]

FOX NEWS A SORRY EXCUSE FOR NEWS AND JOURNALISM!!

[deathofusa]

You still have no idea what those terms mean. you need to take political science 101.
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Posted by usclimey at 10:13 AM : Nov 10, 2008


Lol. Becoming a little scared are you? Don''t worry, we republicans will be there to hold your hands through it all. We won''t hold it against you that you voted in a total marxist. You moron. You are the one that obviously does not know the meaning. You voted for the posterchild of marxism.

[mytoosense]

To all you Obama Bashers out there I would like to offer my sincere gratitude.

Without your vote for Bush and Company these last eight years, this country would not have gotten screwwed up enough to cause this total takeover of Washington by the Democrats and this nations first black President.

Thanks Again.

[oldguy4truth]

Obama_Dkhed
I am always ammused people like you who never served their country, in any way, but spouts out hatred to everyone of different opinions. Your America is small, and made for cowards who hide behind that hate, and watch through dim light those who have fought and died for your right to be a fool. You do have that right, but your choice in how you use it , makes it " a wise man''s tale being told by an idiot, filled with sound and fury, signifing nothing

ALL the cable news networks are in a slow decline but especially FOX. Increasingly, they feed on sensationalism and the ignorance of the dis-enfranchised while the relevant facts needed by an active, educated voter base can only be found in major newspapers...now easily accessable on the Internet.

Between Wright, Ayers, Sarah Palin''s antics, Joe-the-Plumber, and muddled distinctions between socialism and social policy, the news networks had little time left for real reporting on the real issues. Fox pesisted in these distractions more than any other.

[deathofusa]

You Obamanuts should read Al Jazeera. You should see how happy the ragheads are about Obama. That should tell you something.

[usclimey]

usclimey-There you go, true, true elitism!! Didn''''t answer my questions though did you?
Say, mensa chief, why is it that you eitists always resort to name calling?? Why is that?? You just can''''t get into a discussion, can you. Bet you want to do away with freedom of speech.

Posted by Xlib

OK - UK unemployment as of 10/15/08 was 5.7% - slightly better than the US''s 6.5%. The National Health is, I admit, doing some things at present that are strange for even them. I''ve no idea how many ER''s they''ve closed, but their aim is to build a few super-specialised hospitals around the country for real emergencies with more small, triage type at the local level. Not exactly what I would call common sense, but you are talking about the National Health.

[deathofusa]

Hey did you democraps know that Obamas friend William Ayers dedicated his book Prairie Fire to Sirhan Sirhan. For those of you who do not know who Sirhan Sirhan is, he''s the guy that killed your beloved Bobby Kennedy. Wow, that Ayers guy is something else.

[deathofusa]

but you are talking about the National Health.
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Posted by usclimey at 10:26 AM : Nov 10, 2008


Coming soon to a town near you.

[oldguy4truth]

Obama_Dkhed must have a real good come-back. Let''s give him time, he only types 2 wpm.

[usclimey]

You gin drinking, kidney pie eaters really want to open this kind of name calling game with a bunch of real Americans who''''s kinfolk sent your kin running home wearing their azz for a hat??

Posted by Obama_Dkhed

If , as you claim, you''re an old black man, your "kinfolk" at the time of the War of Independance would have been slaves. Did the Continental Army allow slaves in their midst?

[deathofusa]

gosh
ya mean bush didnt kill em all?
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Posted by ainttaken at 10:28 AM : Nov 10, 2008



Nah, because of the democraps, our soldiers are not allowed to kill anyone. They are only allowed to be killed and/or maimed.

[briannorwood]

deathofUSA:

Dude! Give it up! Nobody gives a damned about Obama''s "associations" real or imagined!

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the next 8 years.

[deathofusa]

If , as you claim, you''''re an old black man, your "kinfolk" at the time of the War of Independance would have been slaves. Did the Continental Army allow slaves in their midst?
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Posted by usclimey at 10:30 AM : Nov 10, 2008


You know, that''s a good question. Maybe you should ask your black friends. I am sure they dont have the answer. The only thing blacks know about slavery is that whitie is going to pay for it for the rest of their lives.

[usclimey]

You are the one that obviously does not know the meaning. You voted for the posterchild of marxism.

Posted by deathofUSA

Have you ever listened to the speeches of some of the more radical left labour party members from England. Try listening to Wilson, Benn or Scargill. Those guys are socialists; Obama would rate center left conservative in Europe.