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Networks Practice Election Restraint

What may end up being the biggest call of the election was made by the president’s favorite network, Fox News, not typically a target of his ‘fake news’ attacks.

Published

3 years ago

November 5, 2020

Evan Donovan

As election night approached, television networks were under pressure about when and how they would call states for the presidential candidates.

Restraint, so far, has ruled the day(s).

In fact, what may end up being the biggest call of the election was made by the president’s favorite network, Fox News, not typically a target of his ‘fake news’ attacks.

Fox made the first projection of the 2020 election where a Trump state flipped from red to blue, calling Arizona for Joe Biden at 11:20 p.m.

None of the other major networks — CNN, CBS, ABC, NBC, MSNBC — followed suit. More than 24 hours later, they still hadn’t called it.

The pressure of that decision is immense, given the level of competition between networks. The moments after, inside those network decision desks, must have been frantic.

Fox’s call reportedly enraged the president, leading him to call Rupert Murdoch and demand a recall — which he refused.

CNN’s Kaitlin Collins reported the president immediately became concerned he may lose, pushing his legal team to pursue the lawsuits the campaign would later announce on Wednesday.

Eventually, the president held a campaign press conference in the White House where he claimed, “This is a fraud on the American public.”

All this, and the networks still didn’t join Fox.

The network reportedly bases its call on a proprietary model that uses Associated Press data.
About 3 1/2 hours later at 2:50 a.m. Wednesday morning, AP called Arizona for Joe Biden.

Still no call from the networks.

The country is on edge awaiting the results of the race. The collective anxiety to come to an answer on who actually wins is insanely high.

And to be the first network to make that call… the stakes could not be higher.

Despite all that, it’s encouraging that networks thus far are weighing the history of this moment with caution and care.

Evan Donovan

Evan Donovan is the political anchor/reporter at WFLA in Tampa, as well as the host of its weekly political show “Battleground Florida.” His background before journalism includes ten years in the financial world, from Wall Street to London. He has lived and/or worked in four different countries but is happy to once again call the U.S. home. Compensation for his columns is donated to the National Press Photographers Association’s News Video Workshop at the University of Oklahoma. He can be reached on Twitter @EvanDonovan.

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Mehdi Hasan: Rupert Murdoch Leaves Behind ‘Very Real Wake of Destruction’

Over the last few days, there have been plenty of opinions about what will happen to the parent company of media outlets such as Fox News now that the elder Murdoch is giving up his role.

Published

2 hours ago

September 25, 2023

Eduardo Razo

(Photo: MSNBC)

Last week marked the end of an era as Rupert Murdoch stepped down from his role leading Fox Corp. and News Corp. and handed the reins to his son, Lachlan.

Over the last few days, there have been plenty of opinions about what will happen to the parent company of media outlets such as Fox News now that the elder Murdoch is giving up his role.

Nonetheless, MSNBC’s Mehdi Hasan took a different approach with his thoughts. Instead, Hasan summarized the “very real wake of destruction” that the 92-year-old left behind during his time as Fox Corp. and News Corp. chair.

“It’s difficult to sum up Murdoch’s unremittingly toxic and pernicious record, to encapsulate the sheer power of Murdoch to do damage to our politics, our media, our world,” Hasan wrote in an essay published on the MSNBC website on Sunday.

“Three of the most destructive events of my lifetime — the Iraq War, the Brexit vote, and the rise of Trump and his big lie — simply could not have happened without Rupert Murdoch.”

While Lachlan takes over for his father as the company’s chair, the longtime executive said just because he is relinquishing his title doesn’t mean he will step away from the companies he built completely.

Eduardo Razo

Eduardo Razo is a news media writer for BNM, focusing on coverage of news/talk radio and news television. He can be found on Twitter @eddierazo_ or you can reach him by email at [email protected].

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Sean Hannity to Moderate Debate Between Ron DeSantis, Gavin Newsom

The debate will take place in Georgia, though the precise location has yet to be decided.

Published

3 hours ago

September 25, 2023

Eduardo Razo

(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Fox News will be center stage, with Sean Hannity moderating a debate between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and California Governor Gavin Newsom.

The event will see the red and blue state governors go head-to-head on Nov. 30 for a 90-minute debate to be aired on Hannity’s show at 9:00 p.m. ET.

Furthermore, the debate will take place in Georgia, though the precise location has yet to be decided.

“I’m looking forward to providing viewers with an informative debate about the everyday issues and governing philosophies that impact the lives of every American,” Hannity said.

The idea for a debate arose from Hannity’s June interview with Newsom. DeSantis agreed in July, but snags around timing and venue cast doubt on the debate until now.

Fox News has been the go-to channel for debates this year, as the network hosted the first GOP debate in August, garnering about 13 million viewers. Additionally, the second debate, held on September 27 and hosted by Fox Business Network and Univision, though it will also air on Fox News.

Eduardo Razo

Eduardo Razo is a news media writer for BNM, focusing on coverage of news/talk radio and news television. He can be found on Twitter @eddierazo_ or you can reach him by email at [email protected].

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CNN Adds New Weekend Show with Chris Wallace

Published

6 hours ago

September 25, 2023

BNM Staff

(Photo: Getty Images)

Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace?, the television show hosted by the former Fox News anchor, will air exclusively on the Max streaming platform for its fourth season.

Previously, a half-hour “best-of” style version of the show aired on CNN on Friday evenings after debuting on the streaming platform. However, for the season beginning on Friday, September 29th, the show will not receive a cable timeslot.

Instead, Wallace will now host a new weekend programming on CNN. The Chris Wallace Show will air on Saturday at 10:00 AM ET. The network says it will be a “fresh, fast-paced, and entertaining look at the news from some of the keenest minds in journalism.”

“It’s been exciting to bring in such a wide range of guests for thought-provoking conversations throughout our first three seasons, and our fourth will be no different,” said Wallace.

“I’m also looking forward to bringing The Chris Wallace Show to CNN, featuring some of the most incisive commentators and columnists. As we head into yet another pivotal election cycle, nothing is off-limits as we tackle the most important issues facing the country.”

Wallace joined CNN in 2022 after 18 years with Fox News.

BNM Staff