Fox News
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| Fox News | |
|---|---|
| Name | Fox News Channel |
| Type | Cable news channel |
| Industry | Broadcasting |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Founder | Rupert Murdoch |
| Headquarters | 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York City |
| Area served | United States |
| Products | Television, digital media |
| Parent | Fox Corporation |
Fox News
Fox News is an American cable and satellite television channel and multimedia news outlet. Launched in 1996 by Rupert Murdoch and executives from News Corporation, the network became a major player in U.S. media, competing with CNN, MSNBC, ABC News, CBS News, and NBC News. It has influenced coverage of events such as the 1996 United States presidential election, the 2000 United States presidential election, the 2016 United States presidential election, and the 2020 United States presidential election.
History
Fox News was established in 1996 by Rupert Murdoch and chairman Roger Ailes as part of News Corporation's expansion into cable television, aiming to rival Cable News Network and provide an alternative to existing outlets like MSNBC. Early milestones included carriage agreements with DirecTV, distribution deals with Comcast and Dish Network, and growth through prime-time personalities such as Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity. The network navigated legal and corporate events including settlements related to allegations against Roger Ailes, the acquisition and breakup of 21st Century Fox assets, and the formation of Fox Corporation under Murdoch family control. Major coverage instances included reporting on the September 11 attacks, the Iraq War, the 2008 financial crisis, and responses to the administrations of George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden.
Programming
Programming has combined news reporting, opinion shows, and special event coverage. Flagship daytime and prime-time programs have featured anchors and hosts such as Shepard Smith, Bret Baier, Martha MacCallum, Tucker Carlson, Laura Ingraham, and Sean Hannity. The schedule includes rolling news blocks, political talk formats, investigative segments, and coverage of major events like the Iowa caucuses, the New Hampshire primary, and presidential debates. Fox News has produced documentary-style specials, town halls with figures such as Barack Obama and Donald Trump, and themed coverage of issues like the Iran–Iraq War aftermath, the Hurricane Katrina response, and Supreme Court confirmations involving justices from the United States Supreme Court.
Political orientation and controversies
The network's editorial stance and on-air commentary have been central to debates about media bias and political influence. Critics from organizations including Media Matters for America and scholars studying conservative movements have accused the channel of promoting partisan viewpoints, while supporters cite ratings, advocacy groups, and endorsements involving figures from the Republican Party (United States). Controversies have included high-profile departures and firings, defamation lawsuits involving individuals such as Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic, internal sexual harassment allegations connected to Roger Ailes and resulting settlements, and disputes over coverage of events like the 2020 United States presidential election and the January 6 United States Capitol attack. Regulatory scrutiny by entities including the Federal Communications Commission has intersected with debates over journalistic standards exemplified by incidents involving on-air fact-checking and corrections.
Audience and ratings
Fox News has frequently led cable news ratings, competing with CNN and MSNBC for viewership in key demographics measured by Nielsen ratings. The channel's audience composition has been analyzed in studies by academic institutions such as Harvard University and Pew Research Center, which examined partisan leanings, age distribution, and regional viewership across states like Texas, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Ratings spikes occurred during major political events including the 2008 United States presidential election, the 2016 United States presidential election, and key moments in the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Advertising revenue and subscription carriage fees from distributors such as Charter Communications and Verizon Fios have tied financial performance to audience size and demographics.
Corporate structure and ownership
Originally part of News Corporation and later 21st Century Fox, the network became a core asset of Fox Corporation after the 2019 sale of entertainment assets to The Walt Disney Company. The Murdoch family, including Rupert Murdoch and members of his family, retain significant control through ownership stakes and board representation. Executives such as Lachlan Murdoch and CEOs of affiliated companies have overseen strategy, while legal and financial operations interact with entities like Fox News Media, advertising partners including Walt Disney Company (in content competition), and distribution partners such as Comcast and AT&T. Corporate governance has been shaped by shareholder interests, board decisions, and litigation involving former executives including Roger Ailes.
Digital presence and distribution
The network expanded into digital platforms with a website, mobile applications, streaming services, and social media channels on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. Partnerships with digital distributors such as Roku, Apple Inc. (via Apple TV), and Amazon (company) (via Prime Video Channels) extended reach beyond cable and satellite to cord-cutting audiences. Digital metrics tracked by analytics firms and organizations like Comscore and Nielsen reflect online video views, unique visitors, and engagement across platforms. The outlet's podcasts and long-form video content have featured interviews with politicians and public figures including Nancy Pelosi, Mitch McConnell, Jared Kushner, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.