Is Fox News Channel president Roger Ailes about to score another big name personality for his fledgling off-spin business channel? According to The New York Times television and digital media reporter Brian Stelter, News Corp's (NASDAQ:NWS) Fox Business Network is considering adding CNN "Lou Dobbs Tonight" host Lou Dobbs to its lineup.
"The business channel is also keen on another administration critic, Lou Dobbs, who met for dinner with Mr. Ailes last month, according to two people with direct knowledge of the meeting," Stelter wrote in a piece for the Oct. 12 Times about the growing divide between Fox News and the Obama administration. "The shift for Fox News - the favorite network of the Bush administration, now the least favored one of the Obama administration - has financial implications for the News Corporation, especially given the network's status as a growth engine in a perilous time for media companies."
The move comes after Fox Business has added long-time ABC "20/20" co-anchor John Stossel and talk show shock jock Don Imus. And adding Imus has paid off, at least initially for Fox Business with one of its most-watched broadcasts in the networks history, even beating rival CNBC's "Squawk Box" in his debut.
Dobbs has been the target of a left-wing smear campaign for his criticism of the Obama administration. The liberal echo chamber has had a fixation with both Dobbs' 7 p.m. ET CNN broadcast and his syndicated daily radio show, dedicating a lot of time and resources to monitor it.
Dobbs' CNN show has regularly been the second-highest rated cable show in that time slot, albeit a distant second behind Fox News "Studio B," hosted by Shepard Smith, but ahead of MSNBC's replay of "Hardball with Chris Matthews."
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→ Dobbs
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 11:40 ET by Cool ArrowI'm OK with it. He doesn't fit in at CNN, that's for sure.
I haven't watched Lou Dobbs
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 23:17 ET by jdhawkI haven't watched Lou Dobbs in some time because I refuse to watch CNN. However, when the last time that immigration came before Congress, Dobbs was one of its key media opposition. He pounded on that stupid legislation for months. Of course, ultimate it failed. Great job!
I think he would be great over at Fox. I look forward to seeing him there in the near future.
Yes! Yank them all away...
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 11:41 ET by FuzzlenutterFox, yank them all away so that they're only left with the Lefty Dregs of Society and all their ratings in the tank!
→ Got that right
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 11:44 ET by Cool ArrowLeave them with Anderson Cooper who bragged he went to Studio 54 with pedophile, Michael Jackson when he was 10.
With the fncb grabbing the
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 11:44 ET by Dan The Man 2With the fncb grabbing the talent what's the other nets going to doKnow how to keep a Troll in suspense? Ill tell ya in the morning.
Fox is stealing everyone that isn't batshxt insane.
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 11:44 ET by Free StinkerCool!
Fox is stealing everyone that isn't batshxt insane.
Like him or not, even Juan Williams is an honest (if misguided, politically) man.
I bet you Mika Brezhinski ends up at Fox too. (Leaving Joe back in the minor leagues)
"President Obama is learning on the job and it shows." --Boris Epshteyn
→ We want Santelli!
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 11:45 ET by Cool ArrowHey, while we've got a wish list goin'.
Dobbs seems to be chomping at the bit
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 11:48 ET by Infidelphiato say what he really thinks, rather than what he's expected to say as a typical politically correct left leaning CNN gas bag. I hope Fox does hire him. CNN can fill in the 7pm slot with The Roland Martin / Soledad O'Brien ''We Are All Victims'' Show and watch its ratings go even futher in the tank.
Closest Thing to a Conservative
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 11:51 ET by BW222Lou Dobbs is the closest thing to a conservative at CNN. If he goes to FNC, watch his ratings soar.
BW222
Dobbs vs. O'Reilly?
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 11:54 ET by Sergeant ROCKMaybe he could counter O'Reilly's populist nonsense.
"I ask, Sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."
George Mason
When Populists collide
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 12:16 ET by UnsaneThey are BOTH populists. They should have the O'Reilly-Dobbs Hour and call it good.
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
BOR no thanks.
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 12:47 ET by jon_torlinI'd rather watch Dobbs than BOR. If he moves to FNC, I'll watch for sure. I just don't like CNN, they're not a real news station....oh wait, did someone say something like that before?
-Jon
Instead of watching either,
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 12:48 ET by Free StinkerInstead of watching either, I'll be on Newsbsuters.org or TeamSarah.org
Just sayin'
BOR is good for 10 to 15 minutes most nights.
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 14:13 ET by CTCarbon Credits Smoke'em if you got'em!
BOR has high ratings
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 14:55 ET by Kingfish17BOR has the number one show because of the strength of his guests. If BOR had Dobb's guests he would be floundering and looking for a switch just like Dobbs.
"I've sentenced boys younger then you to the gas chamber. Didn't want to do it, but I felt I owed it to them." Judge Smails
Trade Shemp
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 12:04 ET by slickwillie2001Better yet, simply swap the 7pm ET shows, Shemp Smith to CNN, Lou Dobbs to Fox News.
Shemp Smith?
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 12:07 ET by Sergeant ROCKlol.. good one.
"I ask, Sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."
George Mason
I do that every night with my remote.
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 14:11 ET by CTCarbon Credits Smoke'em if you got'em!
Shemp Smith If we are
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 14:15 ET by Dan The Man 2Shemp Smith
If we are going by temperment I say Curlyjoe Smith as Curlyjoe was a wimp as a Stooge and Shemp knew what physical comedy was.
Know how to keep a Troll in suspense? Ill tell ya in the morning.
Yet Another Populist
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 12:17 ET by UnsaneJust what we all need. Another moronic populist on FOX.
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
OK I am taking all bets....
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 12:41 ET by jdripperIf Lou Dobbs goes to Fox Business News they will crush whatever is opposite on CNN? Any takers? OK I will give you a fighting chance. He will crush whatever is on CNN and MSNBC combined. Any takers? Come on guys I have an expensive girlfriend.
Jack
"If at age 20 you are a conservative then you have no heart. If at age 30 you are a liberal then you have no brains." Sir Winston Churchill
No point punting on
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 12:46 ET by kangarooNo point punting on something that is odds on, can't make much money that way,
FBN vs CNN
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 13:22 ET by slickwillie2001Hard to say, because FBN is less available. On many cable networks it is part of a premium news package with things like MSNBC, BBC, Canadian news, etc. I don't know if that's because FBN is trying a high margin/low volume model, or is the cable company's doing.
FBN
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 14:05 ET by Kat Outta the BagTo my knowledge, I don't even get Fox Business...only Fox News.
give it time
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 14:08 ET by jon_torlinIt'll take some time because FBN is still brand new as far as channels go. I remember when Fox New Channel first came out in 1995(and I was happy for it!), it took a while before more carriers started carrying it in the channel lineup. Thanks to public demand, there are more viewers as a result which is good for Fox News and their ratings.
I would suspect the same is true for FBN. The way I saw it, back before FNC came on, it was only CNN. Believe me, when I started watching it, it was like "Hallelujah!" I think it'll be the same when FBN competes with CNBC which isn't totally bad, but it is owned by G.E. Watch for FBN start doing better than CNBC.
-Jon
One of the big cable
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 14:11 ET by Free StinkerOne of the big cable providers in the NY/NJ/CT area - Cablevision - refuses to carry Fox Business. They keep calling me to switch fromDirecTV (which carries Fox Biz) and I just laugh at them.
ME: "Do you carry Fox Business?"
THEM: "No, but we carry CNBC!"
ME: "Call me back when you carry Fox Business!":
The benefits of having both CNBC and FBN
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 14:24 ET by UnsaneTime Warner Cable carries FBN. Which works our great for me! When I saw Squawk on the Street, and saw I would be deprived, for today, anyway, the shrewd, impeccable analysis and commentary of Erin Burnett, I immediately switched to The Opening Bell to take in what Alexis Glick had to say, along with Shibani Joshi and Nicole Petallides.
It's great to have options. I love capitalism.
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
Won't....
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 18:17 ET by Dustin JolleyWon't Media Morons Against Conservative Americans hate that? Lol!