Fox News’s Succession Battle, Breaking Up Amazon, and Twitter CEO’s Disastrous Q&A
Oct 1, 2023
auto_awesome
Brian Stelter, an author and media journalist, joins Offline to discuss Rupert Murdoch's retirement and the future of Fox News. The hosts also cover the writer's strike, the FTC's investigation into Amazon, and a perplexing interview with X CEO Linda Yaccarino. They explore the compromise on AI in writer rooms, the risks of voice spoofing, and potential transformations in Fox News under new leadership. The relationship between Fox News and Donald Trump, the impact of the network on public opinion, and the need for improvement in American news media are also discussed.
The future of Fox News is uncertain following Rupert Murdoch's retirement, with possibilities ranging from a sale or spinoff to a change in leadership and direction.
The positions and politics of the Murdoch siblings, Lachlan, James, Elizabeth, and Prudence, will play a crucial role in determining the fate of Fox News, with potential implications for American democracy.
The news industry, including networks like Fox News, often shapes its content based on audience preferences, with executives making decisions that align with profit motives.
Deep dives
Rupert Murdoch Steps Down as Chairman of Fox News
Rupert Murdoch's announcement of stepping down as chairman of Fox News is seen as a short-term positive for Donald Trump, as Murdoch was an internal critic of Trump. However, the long-term future of the network is uncertain, with possibilities ranging from a sale or spinoff to a change in leadership and direction. The three Murdoch siblings, Lachlan, James, and Elizabeth, will play a crucial role in determining the fate of Fox News, with James potentially seeking to de-radicalize the network. The overall impact on American democracy is uncertain, but depends on the internal politics of the Murdoch family and their priorities.
The Uncertain Future of Fox News
With Rupert Murdoch stepping down as chairman of Fox News, there is speculation about potential changes in leadership, direction, and potential divestitures of the network. The positions and politics of the Murdoch siblings, Lachlan, James, Elizabeth, and prudence, are significant factors in determining the network's future. While short-term implications suggest a positive outcome for Donald Trump, the long-term consequences remain unclear. Possibilities range from sale to de-radicalization, but all depend on the internal dynamics of the Murdoch family and the profitability of Fox News.
News industry influenced by audience preferences
The podcast episode discusses how the news industry, particularly networks like Fox News, often shapes its content based on audience preferences. The example of Tucker Carlson's firing is used to highlight how network executives, like Lachlan Murdoch, make decisions that align with their profit motives. It is suggested that there is a limit to the level of conspiracy theories that can be entertained, even on Fox News. The episode also mentions the influence of the audience in shaping news coverage, with hosts and producers relying on minute-by-minute ratings to determine what topics and guests are popular.
The sway of Fox News and Trump
The second part of the episode delves into the relationship between Fox News and Donald Trump. It is argued that Fox News follows Trump's lead due to ratings considerations, as the former president has a strong audience base. While there are times when Fox tries to resist or distance itself from Trump, the network ultimately relies on his popularity to garner high viewership. The podcast also speculates on Rupert Murdoch's role in supporting Trump and his possible encouragement for alternative Republican candidates to challenge Trump's influence.
Challenges and prospects for TV news
The final part of the podcast focuses on the challenges facing TV news and its future prospects. It is acknowledged that TV news audiences are aging, and younger audiences are turning to alternative sources for their news consumption. The episode explores the transition to streaming services and digital platforms as an attempt to address these challenges. The conversation also highlights the difficulties of maintaining a functioning democracy in a fragmented news environment, where audiences are not always provided with responsible, well-researched journalism. However, the podcast expresses optimism in the rise of non-profit news outlets and the potential for news organizations to serve more casual news consumers who seek trustworthy and engaging information.
Brian Stelter, longtime media journalist and author of the forthcoming Fox News exposé Network of Lies, joins Offline to unpack what Rupert Murdoch’s retirement means for broadcast media, American democracy, and his four kids. Will Fox News look any different with Lachlan at the helm? Could his liberal siblings force a sale to an antagonistic, Swedish CEO? But first, Jon and Max put their heads together to break down how a new agreement on AI helped end the writer’s strike, why the FTC has its knives out for Amazon, and what on earth X CEO Linda Yaccarino was talking about at the Code Conference.
For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode