Hannity (TV program)

Hannity (TV program)
Show name	Hannity
Genre	Political commentary
Presenter	Sean Hannity
Country	United States
Language	English
Location	New York City
Runtime	60 minutes
Network	Fox News Channel
First aired	2009
Last aired	present

Hannity (TV program) is an American hour-long television program hosted by Sean Hannity on Fox News Channel. The program blends political commentary with interviews and panels featuring figures from Republican Party, conservative movement, and media organizations such as The Wall Street Journal, New York Post, and The Washington Times. Since its 2009 launch the show has engaged with personalities from Donald Trump, George W. Bush, and Ronald Reagan circles while frequently intersecting with events like the 2016 United States presidential election and the 2020 United States presidential election.

Overview

Hannity presents a monologue-driven format where Sean Hannity offers commentary on developments involving actors such as Donald Trump Jr., Rudy Giuliani, Sarah Palin, and institutions like Department of Justice (United States), Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Central Intelligence Agency. The program often responds to reporting by outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, and MSNBC, and engages with legal and political controversies tied to entities such as Special Counsel (United States) investigations, the Mueller investigation, and congressional committees like the United States House Committee on the Judiciary.

Format and segments

Typical episodes begin with a solo opening monologue by Sean Hannity followed by interview segments with guests from United States Senate, United States House of Representatives, and think tanks such as the Heritage Foundation, American Enterprise Institute, and Cato Institute. Recurring elements include panel discussions featuring contributors from media outlets like Breitbart News, Drudge Report, and The Daily Caller; phone-ins with figures associated with Tea Party movement; and televised exchanges referencing court proceedings in venues such as the United States Supreme Court and United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Special editions have featured town-hall formats with participants from Iowa Democratic Party and New Hampshire Republican Party during primary seasons.

Hosts and contributors

The primary host is Sean Hannity, with frequent appearances by conservatives and commentators including Tucker Carlson, Laura Ingraham, Mark Levin, Ben Shapiro, and Dana Perino. Guests have included elected officials such as Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham, Jim Jordan, Kevin McCarthy, and Nikki Haley, as well as media figures like Bill O'Reilly, Megyn Kelly, and Sean Spicer. Contributors from policy and legal circles have featured names such as Alan Dershowitz, Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, and Kayleigh McEnany, while pundits from publications including National Review and The Weekly Standard also appear.

Political stance and controversies

Hannity has been characterized as aligned with conservative movement actors and supporters of Donald Trump, prompting scrutiny over ties to political campaigns and controversies involving guests such as Roger Stone and Paul Manafort. The program has been central to debates over media ethics highlighted by disputes with outlets like The New York Times and litigation in federal courts including matters adjudicated before the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Critics from organizations such as Media Matters for America and commentators at The Atlantic have cited instances involving internal Fox News memos, advertiser boycotts prompted by statements on-air, and coverage of events like the January 6 United States Capitol attack. Proponents argue Hannity’s style reflects advocacy seen in the careers of Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, and Glenn Beck.

Ratings and reception

Hannity has repeatedly ranked among top-rated programs on cable television in the United States for its time slot, competing with shows on MSNBC and CNN such as The Rachel Maddow Show and Anderson Cooper 360°. Nielsen ratings have shown strong viewership among demographics aligned with conservative movement constituencies and swing-state audiences during cycles including the 2012 United States presidential election and 2016 United States presidential election. The program’s reception varies: it has received praise from conservative publications like The Weekly Standard while drawing criticism from outlets such as The New Yorker and watchdog groups including Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting.

Syndication and distribution

Broadcast exclusively on Fox News Channel, Hannity is also available through corporate distribution channels associated with Fox Corporation and streaming platforms linked to cable providers such as Comcast, Charter Communications, and Dish Network. Episodes are circulated via syndication clips on networks like FOX Business Network and through digital outlets maintained by Fox News Digital and affiliates including FoxNews.com and social media accounts on YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook. International carriage has occurred through partnerships with broadcasters in markets covering United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada under licensing arrangements with media conglomerates such as Sky Group and Shaw Communications.

Category:Fox News programming Category:American television talk shows