History of Fox News Radio in Timeline

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By Popular Timelines Editorial Team  · Updated:
Fox News Radio

Fox News Radio is a prominent American commercial radio network that provides comprehensive news coverage, talk programming, and analysis. As a subsidiary of Fox News Media, it functions as a primary source for real-time reporting, leveraging the broader Fox News brand to distribute content across hundreds of terrestrial affiliate stations, digital platforms, and satellite radio. Its programming features a mix of veteran journalists and well-known conservative commentators, offering a distinct editorial perspective on national politics, business, and current affairs. By utilizing a vast distribution network, Fox News Radio maintains a significant influence on the American conservative media landscape, providing listeners with 24/7 breaking news updates and long-form commentary programs that mirror the style and ideological leanings of its television counterpart. The network remains a key pillar in the multi-platform strategy of Fox News, ensuring constant audience engagement through linear and digital broadcast channels.

2003: Launch of Fox News Radio syndication and expansion

In 2003, Fox News initiated its foray into network radio by syndicating one-minute news updates through Westwood One, eventually leading to the hiring of 60 professionals to support a full-scale radio news service.

June 1, 2005: Launch of Fox News Radio

On June 1, 2005, Fox News Radio officially launched, initiating hourly five-minute newscasts and one-minute updates at the half-hour mark across 60 initial affiliate stations, bolstered by a significant partnership with Clear Channel Communications.

January 1, 2006: Fox News Channel Audio Simulcast Removed from Sirius

On January 1, 2006, the full-time audio simulcast of Fox News Channel was discontinued on Sirius Satellite Radio following an exclusivity agreement with XM Satellite Radio.

March 14, 2006: Fox News Channel Simulcast Returns to Sirius

Following listener demand and a renegotiation of exclusivity terms, the Fox News Channel simulcast and the new Fox News Talk channel were restored to the Sirius Satellite Radio platform on March 14, 2006.

April 2006: Tony Snow Departs and Brian and the Judge Debuts

In April 2006, Tony Snow vacated his role as a Fox News Radio morning show host to accept the position of White House Press Secretary, leading to the launch of the new program 'Brian and the Judge' featuring Brian Kilmeade and Andrew Napolitano.

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June 1, 2007: XM Radio Canada adds Fox News Radio

On June 1, 2007, XM Radio Canada officially expanded its broadcast offerings by adding the Fox News Radio channel to its lineup for subscribers.

September 2007: Tom Sullivan Joins Fox News Radio

In September 2007, Tom Sullivan became a part of the Fox News Radio network and played a significant role in the launch of Fox Business.

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January 15, 2009: Bill O'Reilly moved from live time slot

On January 15, 2009, Bill O'Reilly was removed from his live time slot on The Radio Factor, signaling his upcoming departure from the program.

2010: Andrew Napolitano Leaves Brian and the Judge

In 2010, Andrew Napolitano departed from the radio program 'Brian and the Judge,' resulting in Brian Kilmeade transitioning to hosting the show as a solo presenter.

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May 4, 2011: Fox News Talk Channel Relocation

On May 4, 2011, the Fox News Talk service shifted its broadcasting position, moving to channel 126 on both XM and Sirius satellite radio platforms, transitioning from their previous spots on channels 168 and 145 respectively.

2011: Implementation of hourly podcast file management

As of 2011, Fox News Radio limited its podcast availability to the single most recent MP3 file, utilizing a naming convention based on 24-hour Eastern Time, with exceptions made for breaking news events.

2015: Launch of Fox News Headlines 24/7

In late 2015, Fox News Radio launched Fox News Headlines 24/7, a dedicated live-anchored all-news channel provided exclusively to SiriusXM subscribers on Channel 115.

February 2017: Reduction of Fox News Radio newscast duration

In February 2017, Fox News Radio shortened its hourly audio newscast from five minutes to four minutes by removing the commercial break that previously occurred at the two-minute mark.

February 23, 2017: Death of Alan Colmes

On February 23, 2017, Alan Colmes, a prominent radio personality who hosted the 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. time slot on Fox News Radio, passed away unexpectedly.

May 2017: Restoration of five-minute newscast format

In May 2017, Fox News Radio reinstated the one-minute commercial break in its hourly audio newscast, returning the total broadcast length to five minutes.

June 2017: Fox News Radio Reorganization

In June 2017, Fox News Radio underwent a significant restructuring of its talk show lineup. This included rebranding "Kilmeade and Friends" to "The Brian Kilmeade Show" and appointing new hosts for the noon and 3 p.m. time slots, specifically Todd Starnes and Tom Shillue respectively.

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June 2017: John Gibson leaves Fox News Talk

In June 2017, John Gibson concluded his tenure with Fox News Talk after previously taking over the noon-to-3 p.m. time slot.

July 2017: Todd Starnes Begins Show Hosting

In July 2017, Todd Starnes began providing weekday commentaries and hosting a daily radio program from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Fox News Radio.

2017: Tom Sullivan Departs Fox News

After a ten-year tenure, Tom Sullivan left Fox News in 2017 to transition his radio show to a national syndicator.

May 7, 2018: Debut of Benson & Harf

On May 7, 2018, the new radio program titled Benson & Harf premiered, airing in the 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. time slot on Fox News Radio.

May 2019: Program Cancellation and Host Changes

In May 2019, the program Benson & Harf was discontinued following Marie Harf's departure from Fox News Radio, and Guy Benson took over the 3 p.m. show previously hosted by Tom Shillue.

September 4, 2019: SiriusXM and Fox News Long-Term Broadcast Agreement Extension

On September 4, 2019, SiriusXM and Fox News entered into a long-term agreement to continue the broadcast distribution of Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, and Fox News Headlines 24/7 Channel, while also expanding the availability of primetime content on the SiriusXM and Pandora platforms.

October 12, 2019: Termination of Fox News Talk Service

The dedicated Fox News Talk radio service officially concluded its operations on October 12, 2019, though the branding was maintained for an internal distribution service managed through an agreement with iHeartMedia.

October 2019: Todd Starnes Fired by Fox News

In October 2019, Todd Starnes was terminated from Fox News following controversial remarks made during a Fox Nation discussion regarding Democrats and Moloch.

March 9, 2020: Jimmy Failla Named Permanent Host

On March 9, 2020, Jimmy Failla was officially named the permanent host of the Fox Across America program, replacing the rotating host format.

June 8, 2020: Expansion of Fox News Podcasts and Radio Programming

On June 8, 2020, Fox News Media and SiriusXM announced a strategic expansion that made all original Fox News Podcasts available on the Pandora platform. Furthermore, the daily hour-long news program, The Fox News Rundown, began broadcasting weekday mornings on the SiriusXM Patriot Channel 125.

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January 2024: Launch of The Will Cain Show

In January 2024, Fox News Radio expanded its talk radio programming by adding the one-hour long The Will Cain Show to its broadcast lineup. The show is hosted by Will Cain, who previously hosted a podcast for Fox and serves as a co-host for the television program Fox & Friends Weekend.

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