CNN, Newsmax Claim Post-Election Ratings Wins Over Fox News

Topline

Joe Biden isn’t the only winner of the 2020 election: a sizable shift in the cable news landscape has left Fox News knocked from its perch at the top of the food chain, with CNN and Newsmax reaping the benefits.

Key Facts

Crucial Quote

“Since the day after the election, there has been a clear winner,” read a CNN advertisement that ran over the weekend, boasting of the network’s ratings. 

Key Background

As noted by the AP, Fox News seems to be suffering from a common trend: networks who cater specifically to one political audience can see ratings dip when a candidate of the other party wins. However, there’s also heavy-handed intervention from President Trump at play. Despite being sympathetic to Trump throughout his presidency, Fox News called the election in Joe Biden’s favor and has been skeptical of some of Trump’s claims of widespread voter fraud—at times turning the camera away from bizarre news conferences centered around baseless allegations of fraud. Outraged by the lack of loyalty, Trump has encouraged his supporters to watch Newsmax, which is owned by his friend Christopher Ruddy (a long-time Mar-A-Lago member). Newsmax has been dogged in reporting—but not investigating—voter fraud claims and has insisted that the election’s winner is not yet clear. 

Tangent 

In a lawsuit filed Tuesday, former U.S. cybersecurity director Chris Krebs, who was fired by the president and then threatened by Trump’s campaign lawyer for defending the integrity of the election, accused Newsmax of engaging in a “calculated and pernicious conspiracy” to gain clout from supporting the administration’s conspiracy theories. 

Chief Critic 

“Newsmax, the campaign and diGenova have a symbiotic relationship,” said the lawsuit. “Newsmax disseminated and amplifies the campaign’s and diGenova’s attacks on perceived political threats and allegations of election stealing, which pleases viewers, prompts endorsements from President Trump, increases ratings, supports the political goals of the campaign, and helps raise more money from duped supporters.” 

Further Reading 

“Newsmax CEO Suggests Airing Unconfirmed Voter Fraud Claims Is Good For Business” (Forbes)

“Can Newsmax Challenge Fox News?” (Forbes) 

“Republicans’ Support For Fox News Plunged After Election Day, Poll Finds” (Forbes)