History of Fox News in Timeline
Fox News Channel (FNC), widely known as Fox News, is an American multinational conservative news and political commentary channel and website headquartered in New York City. Owned by Fox News Media, a subsidiary of Fox Corporation, it stands as the most-watched cable news network in the U.S. Generating approximately 70% of its parent company's pre-tax profit as of 2023, it broadcasts primarily from Midtown Manhattan and reaches 86 countries and territories globally, incorporating Fox Extra segments during international ad breaks.
May 1985: Murdoch Announces Plans for "Fourth Marketing Force"
In May 1985, Rupert Murdoch revealed his intention to create a "fourth marketing force" in television, challenging the dominance of CBS, NBC, and ABC, by acquiring six television stations from Metromedia. This move laid the groundwork for his future media empire.
July 1985: Murdoch Acquires 50% of Fox Filmed Entertainment
Further solidifying his foothold in the entertainment industry, Murdoch completed the purchase of a 50% stake in Fox Filmed Entertainment in July 1985, gaining control of the iconic 20th Century Fox Film Corporation.
1989: News Corporation Launches Sky News
In 1989, News Corporation, under Murdoch's leadership, took a significant step into the 24-hour news landscape by launching Sky News, Europe's first channel dedicated to continuous news coverage, which likely influenced the later creation of Fox News.
December 1995: Fox News Website Launches
In December 1995, Fox News launched its website, providing news articles and videos covering both national and international events.
January 30, 1996: Murdoch Announces Launch of 24-Hour News Channel
On January 30, 1996, Rupert Murdoch unveiled his ambitious plan to launch a 24-hour news channel, capitalizing on the growing "appetite for news" and leveraging News Corp.'s global platform to expand Fox programming.
February 1996: Roger Ailes Hired to Lead Fox News Channel
In February 1996, Rupert Murdoch brought on board Roger Ailes, a seasoned Republican strategist and former NBC executive, to spearhead the launch of Fox News Channel, entrusting him with building the network from the ground up.
October 7, 1996: Fox News Channel Launches
On October 7, 1996, after months of preparation, the Fox News Channel officially launched, reaching 17 million cable subscribers.
1996: Fox News Enters Local Markets
Fox News began its expansion into local markets in 1996.
2000: Fox News lacks ideological tilt
Prior to 2000, Fox News lacked an ideological tilt and had more Democrat viewers than Republicans. The channel was not seen as biased towards any particular political stance.
2000: Study Analyzes Fox News' Impact on 2000 Presidential Election
Researchers analyzed the potential influence of Fox News on voter behavior during the 2000 presidential election.
September 11, 2001: Fox News Pioneers News Ticker During 9/11 Attacks
On September 11, 2001, as the tragic events unfolded, Fox News became the first news organization to implement a continuous news ticker at the bottom of the screen, providing viewers with real-time updates and shaping the way breaking news was covered.
2001: Fox News Launched on Stream TV in Italy
In 2001, Fox News Channel was launched on Stream TV in Italy. It later moved to Sky Italia in 2003.
2001: Sean Hannity Dismisses Climate Change Consensus
In 2001, Sean Hannity referred to the scientific consensus on climate change as "phony science from the left," challenging the prevailing scientific views.
2001: Fox News Morning Show Loses Top Spot
In 2001, Fox News experienced a dip in its morning show ratings, falling out of first place for the first time since its inception. Meanwhile, OANN and Newsmax were gaining in popularity.
January 2002: Fox News Surpasses CNN in Ratings
In a significant milestone, Fox News overtook CNN in ratings for the first time in January 2002, marking its ascent as a leading force in cable news and a formidable competitor in the industry.
2002: Fox News Channel Broadcasts to Brazil
In 2002, Fox News Channel began broadcasting to Brazil. The channel's commercials were replaced with Fox Extra and made available in packages of Vivo TV.
August 2003: Fox News sues Al Franken
In August 2003, Fox News sued comedian Al Franken over his use of the slogan as a subtitle for his book, Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right. The lawsuit was dropped three days later after Judge Denny Chin refused its request for an injunction, ruling the case was "wholly without merit, both factually and legally". He also suggested that Fox News' trademark on the phrase "fair and balanced" could be invalid.
December 2003: Fox News wins legal battle over slogan
In December 2003, Fox News Channel won a legal battle concerning its "fair and balanced" slogan when AlterNet filed a petition to have FNC's trademark rescinded. The petition, supported by Robert Greenwald's documentary Outfoxed, was withdrawn by AlterNet after losing early motions, leading the USPTO to dismiss the case.
2003: Fox News Ratings Surge During Early Stages of Iraq War
The early stages of the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 led to a significant increase in Fox News viewership, with some reports indicating a 300% rise, averaging 3.3 million viewers per day.
2003: Launch of Fox News Radio
Expanding its reach, Fox News launched its radio division, Fox News Radio, in 2003, offering newscasts and talk radio programs across the US, featuring personalities from both their television and radio platforms.
2003: CRTC Denies Fox News Channel Application
In 2003, the CRTC denied an application requesting permission for Fox News Channel to be carried in Canada. The application was for a joint venture with Canwest's Global Television Network to launch Fox News Canada.
2003: Fox News Moves to Sky Italia
In 2003, Fox News Channel transitioned from Stream TV to Sky Italia for its broadcasts in Italy.
2003: Fox News Service Ceased in Japan
In 2003, Fox News Channel ceased its service in Japan. Despite this, it continued to be available through Americable, Mediatti at Kadena Air Base, and Pan Global TV Japan for American bases.
2003: Fox News Begins Broadcast on TV8 in Scandinavia
Between 2003 and 2006, Fox News Channel was broadcast 16 hours a day on TV8 in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries, with Fox News Extra segments replacing U.S. advertising.
March 2004: Fox News Canada Venture Shelved
In March 2004, a Fox executive announced that the planned joint venture with Canwest's Global Television Network, named Fox News Canada, had been shelved. This decision followed the CRTC's denial of a 2003 application for Fox News Channel's carriage in Canada.
2004: Fox News Outperforms Major Networks in Republican National Convention Coverage
During the 2004 Republican National Convention, Fox News surpassed the three major broadcast networks in viewership, attracting 7.3 million viewers nationwide for President George W. Bush's address, compared to NBC's 5.9 million, ABC's 5.1 million, and CBS's 5 million.
2004: Fox News hostile towards John Kerry
During the 2004 United States presidential election, Fox News was markedly hostile in its coverage of Democratic nominee John Kerry and heavily covered the Swift Boat smear campaign against him.
2004: Hannity Questions Global Warming Consensus
In 2004, Sean Hannity falsely claimed that scientists could not agree on whether global warming was a scientific fact or fiction.
2004: Pew Survey Highlights Journalists' Perception of Fox News as Conservative
In 2004, a Pew Research Center survey of journalists found that a majority of them identified Fox News as a conservative news organization.
2004: Documentary "Outfoxed" Alleges Conservative Bias in Fox News
Released in 2004, the documentary film "Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism" presented arguments suggesting that Fox News exhibited a conservative bias, supported by clips from the network and internal memos.
2004: Documentary "Outfoxed" Alleges Bias at Fox News
The 2004 documentary "Outfoxed" presented allegations from individuals claiming to be former Fox News employees who said they were instructed to "slant the news in favor of conservatives." Fox News refuted the claims, stating the film misrepresented the employment history of those involved.
2004: Fox News' Coverage of the 2004 Swift Boat Veterans Controversy Analyzed
The 2016 book "Asymmetric Politics" includes an analysis of Fox News' coverage of the controversial attacks against then-presidential candidate John Kerry by the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth in 2004.
August 2005: Fox News Achieves Highest Ratings Since 2005
In August 2005, Fox News achieved the highest ratings on U.S. cable television, driven by its coverage of Hurricane Katrina that hit the Gulf Coast of the United States.
2005: Fox News Experiences Brief Ratings Decline
Between late 2005 and early 2006, Fox News faced a short-lived dip in ratings, losing viewers across its prime-time programming compared to the previous quarter.
2005: Fox News' War Coverage Analyzed for Potential Bias
In 2005, Fox News' coverage of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan was analyzed alongside NBC's 'Nightly News' for a study.
September 2006: Fox News Dropped by TV8 in Scandinavia
In September 2006, Fox News Channel was dropped by TV8 in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries and replaced by the German news channel Deutsche Welle. Fox News had been broadcast 16 hours a day on TV8 since 2003.
2006: Fox News Ranks High Among Cable Channels
In 2006, FNC secured the eighth position in viewership among all cable channels.
2006: Fox News Talk Satellite Radio Station Debuts
In 2006, Fox News further diversified its offerings with the introduction of Fox News Talk, a satellite radio station that broadcasts programs syndicated by Fox News personalities.
2006: Fox News Rebounds with Viewership Surge Following International Events
Following the 2006 North Korean missile test and the Lebanon War, Fox News experienced a resurgence in viewership, solidifying its position as the leading cable news channel.
2007: Study Links Fox News to Increased Republican Vote Share
A 2007 study found a correlation between the introduction of Fox News into local markets from 1996 to 2000 and increased Republican vote share in the 2000 presidential election.
2007: Fox News Maintains Strong Viewership, Ranking Seventh Among Cable Channels
Continuing its strong performance, Fox News ranked seventh in viewership among all cable channels in 2007.
2007: Investigator's Credibility Questioned
In 2007, the private investigator who later made claims about Seth Rich had previously warned on Fox News about underground networks of lesbian gangs, further questioning his credibility.
2007: Partisan Differences in Views of Fox News Increase Since 2007
The Pew Research Center's September 2009 report also noted a significant increase in partisan differences regarding perceptions of Fox News since 2007.
May 1, 2008: Fox News Upgrades to 720p Resolution
On May 1, 2008, Fox News Channel transitioned to broadcasting in the 720p resolution format, making it available to viewers through major cable and satellite providers.
September 2008: Fox News Introduces "The Strategy Room" Live Streaming Segment
Catering to an older demographic, Fox News launched "The Strategy Room" in September 2008, a live streaming segment on their website featuring informal discussions and commentary on current events.
2008: Fox News Achieves Top Viewership During Barack Obama's Election Week
Fox News reached the number one spot in viewership during the week of Barack Obama's election, from November 3rd to 9th, in 2008.
2008: Fox News Viewership Among 25-54 Age Group
In 2008, Fox News had an average of 557,000 viewers in the 25-54 age group, reflecting strong engagement within this demographic.
2008: Study Finds Disproportionate Attention to Anti-Clinton Polls
A study in 2008 revealed that Fox News disproportionately focused on polls that reflected poorly on President Bill Clinton's approval rating.
2008: Study on Fox News and Climate Change Reporting
A 2008 study found that Fox News was more likely to emphasize the scientific uncertainty of climate change, less likely to affirm its reality, and more likely to feature climate change skeptics compared to CNN.
March 2009: "The Fox Nation" Website Launches
March 2009 saw the launch of "The Fox Nation," a website designed to encourage reader engagement through comments and discussions on news stories.
June 2009: Chris Wallace Positions Fox News as Counterweight to Liberal Media
In June 2009, Fox News host Chris Wallace characterized the network as a counterbalance to what he perceived as a liberal bias in other news outlets, particularly NBC News.
September 2009: Obama Snubs Fox News
In September 2009, President Barack Obama appeared on all major news programs except Fox News. This snub was a reaction to harsh remarks from Fox commentators and critical coverage of Obama's health-care proposal.
September 2009: Pew Research Center Publishes Public Perception Report on Fox News
The Pew Research Center released a report in September 2009 examining public views on national news organizations. The report revealed that 72% of Republican Fox viewers polled held favorable opinions of the channel, while 43% of Democratic viewers and 55% of all viewers surveyed shared this sentiment. Notably, Fox News received the highest "unfavorable" rating (25%) among all the national outlets included in the study.
September 2009: Obama Administration vs. Fox News
In late September 2009, Obama's senior advisor David Axelrod and Roger Ailes met secretly to ease tensions. Despite this, White House officials continued to criticize Fox News, calling it a partisan outlet.
October 11, 2009: Fox News Defines Hard-News Programming Window
In a New York Times article published on October 11, 2009, Fox News stated that its hard-news programming airs from "9 AM to 4 PM and 6 to 8 PM on weekdays".
November 8, 2009: White House Warns Against Fox News Appearances
On November 8, 2009, the Los Angeles Times reported that a Democratic consultant was warned by the White House not to appear on Fox News. This claim was partially denied by White House communications director Anita Dunn, though other Democratic consultants reported similar warnings.
2009: Pew Survey Identifies Fox News as Most Ideological Channel
A 2009 Pew Research Center survey revealed that a significant portion of respondents perceived Fox News as having a conservative leaning.
2009: Jake Tapper Defends Fox News
In 2009, while serving as a White House correspondent for ABC News, Jake Tapper defended Fox News against claims by the Obama administration that the network was not a legitimate news organization. This defense was in stark contrast to his later criticism of Fox News in 2017 for distorting his statements.
2009: Leaked Emails Show Fox News Instruction on Climate Change Reporting
In 2009, leaked emails revealed that Bill Sammon, Fox News Washington managing editor, instructed journalists to dispute the scientific consensus on climate change and to always highlight criticisms of climate data.
2009: Study Highlights Pro-Republican, Anti-Democrat Bias in Story Selection
In 2009, a study found that Fox News was more likely to cover stories that portrayed Republicans positively and less likely to cover stories that reflected well on Democrats.
2009: Fox News Denies Bias in Reporting
In 2009, Fox News publicly denied accusations of bias in its news reporting, asserting that its coverage was impartial and objective. The network maintained that its reporting operated independently from its opinion-based programming.
January 2010: Fox News Discontinued on Prime in New Zealand
In January 2010, Fox News Channel was discontinued on the free-to-air UHF New Zealand TV channel Prime, reportedly due to an expiring broadcasting license. It continued to be broadcast on Channel 088 of SKY Network Television's digital platform.
January 2010: Fox News Regains Top Viewership Spot During Massachusetts Senate Election
Fox News once again secured the top viewership position in January 2010, coinciding with the special Senate election in Massachusetts.
May 2010: Fox News Dominates Prime-Time Viewership Among 24-Hour News Channels
In May 2010, Fox News commanded an average daily prime-time audience of 1.8 million viewers, surpassing its competitors MSNBC (747,000 viewers) and CNN (595,000 viewers).
2010: Wikipedia Community Discusses Fox News' Reliability
In 2010, the Wikipedia community engaged in its first substantial discussion concerning the reliability of Fox News, concluding that the network exhibited political bias while generally remaining a reliable source of information.
2010: Public Trust in Fox News Declines Since 2010
According to a 2013 Public Policy Polling survey, positive perceptions of Fox News had decreased from their levels in 2010.
2010: Hannity Calls Climategate a Scandal
In 2010, Sean Hannity labeled the Climategate controversy a "scandal" that supposedly exposed global warming as a myth, despite subsequent inquiries finding no evidence of misconduct.
2010: Fox News mobilizes Republican voters
In 2010, Fox News was credited with helping Republicans communicate with their base and mobilize voters to participate in midterm elections. Political scientists noted Fox News' significant role in spreading Republican ideas.
2010: Fox News Overall Audience Growth
In 2010, Fox News had an overall audience of 1.89 million, demonstrating its broad appeal across different demographics.
2010: Study Suggests Fox News' Sympathetic Coverage of Iraq and Afghanistan Wars
A 2010 comparative study of Fox News Channel's 'Special Report With Brit Hume' and NBC's 'Nightly News' coverage of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan during 2005 found Fox News to be significantly more supportive of the administration's stance than NBC, suggesting a potential partisan bias.
2010: Glenn Beck's Anti-Semitic Conspiracy Theories
In 2010, Glenn Beck promoted anti-Semitic conspiracy theories about George Soros, depicting him as a puppet-master and falsely claiming Soros was a Nazi collaborator, despite widespread criticism and condemnation.
2011: Study on Fox News and Climate Change Denial
A 2011 study by Lauren Feldman and Anthony Leiserowitz found that Fox News took a more dismissive tone toward climate change compared to CNN and MSNBC. The study highlighted Fox News' tendency to emphasize scientific uncertainty and feature climate change skeptics more frequently.
2011: Fox News and Climate Change Denial
In 2011, climate scientist Michael E. Mann criticized Fox News for promoting climate change denial, constructing an 'alternative universe' where the science of climate change was dismissed as a hoax. A study by James Lawrence Powell indicated that Fox News provided a platform for climate change deniers without fear of contradiction and failed to disclose financial ties between its contributors and oil companies.
2011: Fox & Friends Hosts Criticize Climate Education
In 2011, the hosts of Fox & Friends described climate change as "unproven science" and a "disputed fact," criticizing the Department of Education for collaborating with Nickelodeon to educate children about climate change.
October 22, 2012: Fox News Sets Viewership Record with Third U.S. Presidential Debate
On the evening of October 22, 2012, Fox News achieved its highest-ever telecast rating, drawing 11.5 million viewers for the third U.S. presidential debate. Leading up to the debate, Fox averaged nearly 3.7 million viewers during prime time and maintained a total day average of 1.66 million viewers.
December 2012: Fox News covers Benghazi attack extensively
In December 2012, Fox News host Sean Hannity described the 2012 Benghazi attack as 'the story that the mainstream media ignores' and alleged it was a cover-up. Fox News ran 1,098 segments on the issue within twenty months following the attacks.
2012: New York Times Commends Fox News' 2012 Election Coverage
David Carr, a media critic for The New York Times, praised Fox News for its coverage of the 2012 United States presidential election results, particularly for prioritizing accurate reporting over partisan commentary.
2012: Fox News' Coverage of the 2012 Benghazi Attack Analyzed
The book "Asymmetric Politics" examines Fox News' coverage of the 2012 attack on the American consulate in Benghazi, Libya, and its focus on Hillary Clinton's role in the event.
October 2, 2013: Anna Kooiman Cites Fake Story
On October 2, 2013, Fox News host Anna Kooiman mistakenly cited a fake story from a parody site, claiming President Obama offered personal funds to keep the International Museum of Muslim Cultures open. This error attracted significant criticism.
2013: Fox News Demographic Analysis by New York Times
In 2013, a New York Times article based on Nielsen statistics highlighted that Fox News had a predominantly aged demographic, continuing its trend as a leading news network.
2013: Murdoch Defends 'Fair and Balanced' Slogan
In a 2013 interview with Peter Robinson of the Hoover Institution, Rupert Murdoch defended Fox News's 'Fair and Balanced' slogan, stating it reflected the network's intent to counter perceived liberal bias in television news.
2013: Fox News Increases Overall Audience
In 2013, Fox News increased its overall audience to 2.02 million from 1.89 million in 2010, despite a drop in the 25-54 age group viewership to 379,000.
2013: Fox News Tops Cable Ratings with Boston Marathon Bombing Coverage
From April 15 to 21, 2013, Fox News, driven by its coverage of the Boston Marathon bombing, was the highest-ranked network on U.S. cable television, marking a significant ratings achievement.
2013: Public Policy Polling Shows Decline in Positive Perceptions of Fox News
A Public Policy Polling survey in 2013 indicated a drop in positive perceptions of FNC compared to 2010, with 41% of voters polled expressing trust in the network (down from 49% in 2010) and 46% expressing distrust (up from 37% in 2010). Notably, 34% of respondents still considered it the "most trusted" network, surpassing any other network in the poll.
2013: Gallup Poll on Fox News Viewer Political Leanings
A 2013 Gallup poll found that 94% of Fox News viewers identified as or leaned Republican, showing the network's appeal to a predominantly conservative audience.
January 2014: Fox News Marks 145th Consecutive Month as Top Cable News Channel
In January 2014, Fox News celebrated its 145th consecutive month as the highest-rated cable news channel, surpassing CNN and MSNBC combined in overall viewers during prime time and total day.
2014: News Corporation Sells Stake in SKY and Prime
In 2014, Fox News Channel's former parent company, News Corporation, sold its stake in both SKY and Prime, which affected the channel's broadcasting arrangements in New Zealand.
2014: Fox News' influence in midterm elections
In 2014, Fox News continued to play a crucial role in mobilizing Republican voters for the midterm elections, effectively spreading the party's ideas and enhancing voter participation.
2014: Studies Explore Fox News' Influence on Political Affiliation and Behavior
Two separate studies conducted in 2014 examined the impact of Fox News on political affiliations and voting patterns, specifically regarding support for President Clinton and the Republican party.
2015: Study Confirms Fox News' Influence on Republican Vote Share
A 2015 study reaffirmed the findings of a 2007 study that suggested Fox News viewership could contribute to increased support for Republican candidates.
2015: Median Age of Fox News Prime-Time Viewer
As of 2015, the median age of a prime-time viewer on Fox News was 68, indicating an older audience base.
2015: Fox News covers Uranium One scandal
From 2015 into 2018, Fox News broadcast extensive coverage of the alleged Uranium One scandal, implicating Hillary Clinton in exchange for bribes. Despite no evidence of wrongdoing, the network's coverage continued throughout the day, especially on Sean Hannity's show.
2015: Fox News' evolving stance on Trump
From 2015 to 2017, Fox News' prime-time lineup shifted from being skeptical of Trump to providing a 'Trump safe space' with a dose of populism. The network's website also became more extreme in its rhetoric since Trump's election.
August 2016: Fox News phases out 'Fair and Balanced' slogan
In August 2016, Fox News Channel began to quietly phase out its "Fair and Balanced" slogan in favor of "Most Watched, Most Trusted". This change was speculated to be a move to distance the network from former executive Roger Ailes.
2016: Record-Breaking GOP Candidates' Forum on Fox News
On August 6, 2016, Fox News hosted the first prime-time GOP candidates' forum for the 2016 campaign, reaching a record-breaking 24 million viewers, the largest audience for any cable news event to date.
2016: "Asymmetric Politics" Book Examines Fox News' Coverage of Political Scandals
The 2016 book "Asymmetric Politics" by political scientists Matt Grossmann and David A. Hopkins analyzes how Fox News tends to highlight scandals involving Democrats, often giving them more attention than other media outlets.
2016: Rupert Murdoch Becomes Executive Chairman
Rupert Murdoch assumed the role of executive chairman of Fox News in 2016, solidifying his control over the network's direction and editorial stance.
2016: Fox News is Major Source for Trump Supporters on Twitter
During the 2016 presidential election, Fox News was identified as the third most-shared source among Donald Trump supporters on Twitter, according to a 2017 study by the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University.
2016: Fox News Coverage of 2016 Election and Russian Interference
In 2016, during and after the U.S. presidential election, Fox News coverage frequently included Bill and Hillary Clinton, portraying them as being involved in conspiracies with Russia. This narrative continued into subsequent years, particularly during the Mueller investigation into Russian interference in the election.
2016: Fox News Violates Election Silence Rules During Brexit
In 2016, Fox News Channel violated election silence rules by broadcasting analysis of the Brexit referendum while polls were still open. This led to the channel being blacked out during the 2017 general election to comply with the rules.
2016: Fox News coverage during Trump's campaign
During the 2016 Republican primaries, Fox News was perceived as trying to prevent Donald Trump from clinching the nomination. However, under Trump's presidency, the network remade itself into his image, with minimal criticism on prime-time shows and extensive coverage of Hillary Clinton-related stories to deflect attention from the Russian interference investigation.
2016: Allegations of Wiretapping During the 2016 Election
Claims of wiretapping during the 2016 presidential election, particularly those targeting then-candidate Trump, sparked considerable controversy and raised concerns about surveillance practices.
2016: Fox News' alleged suppression of Stormy Daniels story
In 2016, Fox News.com reporter Diana Falzone had the story on the Stormy Daniels-Donald Trump scandal before the election, but the story was reportedly killed by Fox News executive Ken LaCorte, allegedly to protect Trump.
January 2017: Bill O'Reilly's Contract Renewal Amid Harassment Claims
In January 2017, Fox News renewed Bill O'Reilly's contract shortly after he settled a $32 million sexual harassment lawsuit. This renewal came despite Fox News's parent company being aware of the lawsuit. The contract stated O'Reilly could not be fired unless allegations were proven in court.
March 14, 2017: Napolitano Makes Wiretapping Claim on Fox & Friends
Fox News commentator Andrew Napolitano claimed on the program "Fox & Friends" that British intelligence had wiretapped then-President Trump at the behest of former President Obama during the 2016 election.
March 16, 2017: White House Repeats Wiretapping Claim
White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer reiterated the wiretapping allegation, attributing it to a television commentator without explicitly endorsing or disavowing it.
March 17, 2017: Fox News Admits Lack of Evidence for Wiretapping Claim
Fox News anchor Shepard Smith acknowledged that the network had no evidence to support the wiretapping claim, prompting criticism and calls for accountability.
April 2017: Susan Rice's unmasking of Trump associates revealed
In April 2017, it was revealed that former Obama administration national security advisor Susan Rice sought the unmasking of Trump associates, including Michael Flynn, during the presidential transition. This led to Fox News hosts labeling the unmaskings as a "domestic spying operation" and the "biggest abuse of power" in American history. However, an inquiry into the unmaskings later found no substantive wrongdoing.
May 2017: Harvard Study Analyzes Media Coverage of Trump's First 100 Days
A May 2017 study by Harvard University's Shorenstein Center examined the nature of coverage President Trump received from various media outlets during his initial 100 days in office.
May 2017: Roger Ailes Tribute by Hannity
In May 2017, Sean Hannity paid tribute to Roger Ailes, calling him 'a second father' despite Ailes being fired for sexual harassment allegations the previous year. Hannity's comments were controversial given the circumstances of Ailes's departure.
May 16, 2017: Fox News Publishes Seth Rich Conspiracy Theory
On May 16, 2017, while other outlets were covering Trump's classified information leak to Russia, Fox News led with a story from a private investigator suggesting Seth Rich was in contact with WikiLeaks, reigniting right-wing conspiracy theories.
June 2017: Reports on Fox News slogan change
In June 2017, media outlets reported that Fox News Channel had changed its slogan from "Fair and Balanced" to "Most Watched, Most Trusted". A network executive stated that the change was unrelated to programming or editorial decisions.
July 2017: Fox News Falsely Reports on New York Times
In July 2017, Fox & Friends falsely reported that The New York Times had disclosed intelligence that helped ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi evade capture. The report was based on an inaccurate assertion and led to a critical tweet from President Donald Trump. Fox News later updated the story but did not apologize or directly address the inaccuracies.
August 29, 2017: Sky Drops Fox News in the UK
On August 29, 2017, Sky dropped Fox News Channel in the United Kingdom, citing that its carriage was not commercially viable due to low viewership. The decision was said to be unrelated to 21st Century Fox's proposed acquisition of the remainder of Sky plc, which later led to a bidding war resulting in its acquisition by Comcast.
September 2017: O'Reilly Hosted by Hannity Post-Firing
In September 2017, Sean Hannity hosted Bill O'Reilly on his show months after O'Reilly was fired for sexual harassment allegations. The decision faced internal criticism within Fox News, highlighting ongoing tensions regarding harassment issues.
October 2017: Extensive Weinstein Coverage vs. O'Reilly
In October 2017, Fox News was criticized for dedicating extensive coverage to the Harvey Weinstein scandal while providing minimal coverage to similar allegations against Bill O'Reilly. This perceived hypocrisy drew notable public attention.
October 2017: Fox News Focuses on Hillary Clinton During Mueller Investigation
In October 2017, as the investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election intensified, Fox News shifted its coverage to focus on alleged scandals involving Bill and Hillary Clinton. This move was perceived as an effort to divert attention from Mueller's investigation. Commentators noted that Fox News' strategy was to portray the Clintons as the true conspirators working with Russia to undermine American democracy.
October 30, 2017: Fox News deflects from Mueller indictments
On October 30, 2017, when special counsel Robert Mueller indicted Paul Manafort and Rick Gates, Fox News focused on unsubstantiated allegations against Hillary Clinton instead. This deflection led to internal dissatisfaction among Fox News employees, who criticized the network's coverage of the Russia investigation as biased and misleading.
November 1, 2017: Vox Analyzes Fox News Coverage of Mueller Investigation
On November 1, 2017, Vox analyzed the transcripts of Fox News in comparison to CNN and MSNBC regarding the Mueller investigation. The analysis found that Fox News frequently mentioned Hillary Clinton when discussing the investigation and significantly downplayed the involvement of Trump campaign advisor George Papadopoulos. Fox News also repeatedly questioned Mueller's credibility.
November 2017: Shepard Smith debunks Uranium One allegations
In November 2017, Fox News host Shepard Smith debunked the alleged Uranium One scandal, which had been heavily promoted by Fox News. This led to backlash from viewers and criticism from Sean Hannity, despite Smith's clarification of the facts.
November 2017: Fox News Distorts Jake Tapper's Statement
In November 2017, Fox News distorted a statement by Jake Tapper following the New York City truck attack to make it appear he had said 'Allahu Akbar' can be used under 'beautiful circumstances.' Tapper clarified that he meant the phrase was not used in a beautiful context during the attack. Fox News later deleted a misleading tweet and headline but faced criticism from Tapper for lying about his statement.
November 2017: Trump gives numerous interviews to Fox News
By November 2017, President Donald Trump had given 19 interviews to Fox News, compared to only 6 interviews to other news channels. The New York Times described these interviews as 'softball interviews' with fawning interview styles.
December 2017: Fox News Escalates Attacks on Mueller Investigation
In December 2017, Fox News intensified its rhetoric against the Mueller investigation, with hosts and guest commentators suggesting it was a coup attempt. Statements from various Fox News figures included calling the investigation team a 'criminal cabal' and likening the FBI to the KGB. This rhetoric was described by experts as dangerous to democracy and aimed at discrediting the investigation to sway President Trump to fire Mueller.
December 2017: Inaccurate Roy Moore Accusation Coverage
In December 2017, Fox News ran an inaccurate headline claiming one of Roy Moore's accusers admitted to forging a yearbook inscription. The network later added a correction to the story, but not before considerable damage was done.
2017: Harvard Study Ranks Fox News as Third Most-Shared Source Among Trump Supporters
In 2017, a study by the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University found that Fox News was the third most-shared source among Donald Trump supporters on Twitter during the 2016 presidential election.
2017: Fox News Removed from Orange's Lineup
In Spring 2017, Fox News Channel was no longer available on the lineup of the French Internet provider Orange. However, it remained accessible on channel 352 through the provider Free.
2017: Study Highlights Fox News' Significant Influence on Republican Vote Share
A 2017 study utilized a novel methodology to demonstrate the substantial effect of Fox News viewership on increasing Republican vote share.
2017: Fox News Blacked Out During UK General Election
In 2017, Fox News Channel was blacked out while polls were open during the UK general election to comply with election silence rules. This followed previous violations, including during the 2016 Brexit referendum.
March 2018: Fox News introduces new ad campaign
In March 2018, Fox News introduced a new ad campaign titled 'Real News. Real Honest Opinion.' aimed at promoting the network's opinion-based programming and countering perceptions of 'fake news'.
April 9, 2018: Hannity Defends Michael Cohen
On April 9, 2018, Sean Hannity defended Trump's personal attorney Michael Cohen on air without disclosing Cohen was also his lawyer. This lack of transparency drew significant controversy.
April 2018: Hannity's Conflict of Interest
In April 2018, Sean Hannity came under fire for not disclosing his relationship with Michael Cohen while defending him on air. This conflict of interest was revealed during legal proceedings involving Cohen.
April 16, 2018: Hannity Revealed as Cohen's Client
On April 16, 2018, it was revealed in court that Michael Cohen's third client was Sean Hannity. This disclosure followed Hannity's on-air defense of Cohen without transparency, leading to public and media scrutiny.
June 2018: Fox News Addresses Inappropriate Remarks on Migrant Family Separation
In June 2018, Fox News executives issued directives to producers aimed at curbing inappropriate remarks made by hosts and commentators regarding the Trump administration's policy of separating migrant families at the border.
July 2018: The Economist on Fox News' coverage of Trump
In July 2018, The Economist described Fox News' coverage of President Trump's presidency as 'reliably fawning', highlighting the network's favorable portrayal of Trump.
August 2018: Fox News Criticized for Coverage Focus
In August 2018, Fox News received criticism for prioritizing coverage of a murder committed by an undocumented immigrant over the convictions of Donald Trump's former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, and personal attorney, Michael Cohen. While other national media focused on the convictions, Fox News hosts argued that voters cared more about the murder, downplaying the significance of the convictions.
September 2018: Fox News Reaches 87 Million U.S. Households
By September 2018, Fox News expanded its reach to 87 million U.S. households, representing 91% of television subscribers, solidifying its position as a dominant force in cable news.
October 2018: Fox News covers Kanye West's meeting with President Trump
In October 2018, Fox News provided positive coverage of a meeting between Kanye West, a Trump supporter, and President Trump in the Oval Office. This marked a shift from their earlier negative portrayal of rappers associated with Democratic causes, including previous negative coverage of Kanye West himself. The change in tone highlighted Fox News' evolving stance towards certain celebrities based on their political affiliations.
October 2018: Fox News Ranked in Center of Trust Among News Organizations
In October 2018, a Simmons Research survey ranked Fox News roughly in the center among 38 news organizations, with 44.7% of surveyed Americans expressing trust in the network.
November 4, 2018: Sean Hannity appears at Trump rally despite initial denial
On November 4, 2018, Trump's website announced that Fox News host Sean Hannity would appear at a midterm campaign rally with Trump. Although Hannity initially denied this, he did appear on stage the next night, criticizing the "fake news" media, including Fox News reporters. This led to internal backlash at Fox News, with staff expressing outrage and the network stating it does not condone talent participating in campaign events. The press release was later removed from Trump's website.
December 30, 2018: Fox News Rated America's Most Watched Cable Network in 2018
On December 30, 2018, Nielsen rated Fox News as America's most watched cable network, averaging a record 2.4 million viewers in prime time and total day during the year 2018.
2018: Fox NFL Thursday Begins Broadcasting from Studio F
In 2018, Fox News' Studio F became the origination point for the Thursday Night Football pregame show, "Fox NFL Thursday".
2018: Fox News continues Uranium One coverage
In 2018, Fox News continued to cover the alleged Uranium One scandal, despite no evidence of wrongdoing being found. Shepard Smith's debunking of the scandal in November 2017 stirred controversy among viewers and within the network.
2018: Fox Nation Subscription Video On Demand Service Announced
Fox News announced the launch of Fox Nation in 2018, a subscription-based video-on-demand service complementing their network programming.
March 2019: Report on Fox News killing Stormy Daniels story
In March 2019, Jane Mayer reported in The New Yorker that Fox News killed a story about the Stormy Daniels-Donald Trump scandal before the 2016 election. Fox News executive Ken LaCorte admitted to making the call to drop the story, allegedly to protect Trump, which was denied by LaCorte but corroborated by sources.
June 16, 2019: Fox News poll shows unfavorable results for Trump
On June 16, 2019, Fox News released a poll indicating that 50% of registered voters believed Trump's campaign coordinated with Russia, and 50% supported impeachment, with 43% favoring his removal from office. Despite these results, Fox News hosts misrepresented the poll findings, focusing on the 48% opposed to impeachment. Trump's reaction on Twitter highlighted his dissatisfaction with the network's polls.
October 2019: Shepard Smith Leaves Fox News
In October 2019, Shepard Smith, a rare proponent of climate change reality on Fox News, left the network. His acknowledgment of the scientific consensus on climate change had drawn criticism from Fox News viewers and conservatives.
2019: Pew Survey on Fox News Partisan Audience
In 2019, a Pew survey showed that 93% of people who named Fox News as their main source for political and election news identified as Republicans, emphasizing the network's strong partisan following.
2019: Pew Research: 65% of Republicans Trust Fox News
A 2019 Pew Research Center study revealed that 65% of Republicans and Republican-leaning individuals placed their trust in Fox News as a news source, highlighting the network's strong appeal among this demographic.
2019: Trump criticizes Fox News and its hiring of Donna Brazile
In 2019, Trump criticized Fox News anchors Shepard Smith and Chris Wallace, as well as analyst Andrew Napolitano, for their adversarial stance. He also disapproved of the network hiring former DNC chair Donna Brazile. This marked a period of growing tension between Trump and Fox News, especially after the 2020 election.
2019: Fox News Misrepresents Climate Study
In 2019, Fox News falsely reported that new climate science research indicated an impending Ice Age. The study's author stated that Fox News "utterly misrepresents our research," leading to a correction by the network.
2019: Fox News Becomes Top-Rated Cable Network
In 2019, Fox News achieved the status of the top-rated cable network, boasting an average viewership of 2.5 million viewers during prime time, underscoring its significant influence on American television.
2019: Pew Research Survey on Fox News Audience
A 2019 Pew Research Center survey revealed that 69% of those who named Fox News as their main source for political news were aged 50 or older, highlighting the network's older demographic.
May 2020: Declassification of unmasking requests by Obama officials
In May 2020, acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell declassified a list of Obama administration officials who had requested the unmasking of Trump associates. This list was publicly released by Republican senators, and Fox News hosts amplified the narrative of a significant abuse of power. The subsequent investigation concluded without finding substantive wrongdoing.
July 2020: Wikipedia Deems Fox News 'Generally Unreliable' for Science and Politics
In July 2020, Wikipedia announced that Fox News would no longer be considered 'generally reliable' in its reporting of science and politics due to its handling of COVID-19 information and climate change reporting.
August 19, 2020: Fox News Tops Prime-Time Ratings Race
On August 19, 2020, the Los Angeles Times reported that Fox News Channel had six of the top 11 highest-rated prime-time programs, finishing first in the network ratings race for the third time since June 2020.
November 2020: Fox News adopts new slogan
In mid-November 2020, following the election, Fox News began using the slogan 'Standing Up For What's Right' to promote its primetime lineup.
November 2020: Fox Hosts Criticize Sidney Powell
In November 2020, internal communications revealed Tucker Carlson and Laura Ingraham criticizing Sidney Powell for her baseless election fraud claims, with Carlson calling her a "complete nut" and Ingraham agreeing that no one would work with her or Rudy Giuliani.
November 2020: Hannity Hosts Sidney Powell
In November 2020, Sean Hannity hosted Sidney Powell on his Fox program, where she alleged Dominion Voting Systems had been rigged. Hannity later admitted in a deposition that he did not believe her claims for one second.
November 2020: Scott Criticizes Fact-Checking
In November 2020, Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott criticized the network's reporters for fact-checking Trump's election fraud claims, indicating it was bad for business and angering the audience.
December 2020: Scott Demands End to Fact-Checking
In December 2020, Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott demanded that fact-checking of Trump's election fraud claims stop immediately, citing audience fury and bad business implications.
December 2020: Dominion Sends Retraction Demand to Sidney Powell
In December 2020, Dominion Voting Systems sent a letter to Trump attorney Sidney Powell demanding retractions for promoting baseless election fraud allegations on Fox programs.
December 2020: Smartmatic Demands Retractions from Fox News
In December 2020, Smartmatic sent a letter to Fox News demanding retractions for promoting baseless allegations that Smartmatic and Dominion Voting Systems conspired to rig the election against Trump. The letter threatened legal action if the retractions were not published on multiple occasions.
2020: Fox News Achieves Highest-Rated Quarter Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
In the first calendar quarter of 2020, Fox News achieved its highest-rated quarter in the network's history, averaging 3.387 million viewers in prime time. Sean Hannity's show led with 4.2 million viewers, and Fox News had the top five shows in prime time.
2020: Fox News Settles with Seth Rich's Family
In 2020, Fox News settled a lawsuit with the family of Seth Rich over emotional distress caused by false reporting, with a settlement reported to be in the seven figures. The announcement was delayed until after the 2020 presidential election.
2020: Fox News loses viewership post-2020 election
Following the 2020 presidential election, Trump and his supporters' dissatisfaction with Fox News led to increased viewership for Newsmax and One America News. Fox News responded by promoting opinion hosts disputing the election results and endorsing voter fraud conspiracy theories. This shift in tone resulted in a significant decline in Fox News' viewership.
2020: Fox News Faces Republican Backlash Post-2020 Election
Following the 2020 U.S. presidential election, a Morning Consult survey revealed 30% of Republicans had an unfavorable opinion of Fox News, attributed to criticism from Donald Trump and the network's early call of Arizona for Joe Biden.
2020: Fox News Ratings Decline Post-2020 Election
Following the 2020 U.S. presidential election, Fox News experienced a decline in ratings but regained its lead in cable news ratings ahead of CNN and MSNBC by 2021.
2020: Dominion Voting Systems Sues Fox News for Defamation
Dominion Voting Systems filed a defamation lawsuit against Fox News regarding their reporting on the 2020 U.S. election. Internal communications revealed that Fox presenters and executives privately doubted claims of election fraud, while continuing to broadcast such claims to their viewers.
2020: Murdoch Admits Fox Anchors Endorsed Election Conspiracy Theories
In 2020, during legal proceedings concerning Fox News' coverage of the presidential election, Rupert Murdoch, under oath, admitted that Fox News anchors had endorsed conservative conspiracy theories related to the election.
January 1, 2021: Fox News Removed from Cignal in the Philippines
On January 1, 2021, Fox News Channel was removed from Cignal in the Philippines due to a contract expiration. The channel later returned on June 16, 2022.
January 2021: Murdoch Urges Focus on Georgia Runoff
As the January 2021 Georgia runoff election approached, Rupert Murdoch told Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott to focus on helping in Georgia, expressing belief that Trump would eventually concede.
January 2021: Bill Sammon Fired by Fox News
In January 2021, Fox News fired Washington managing editor Bill Sammon, who had supervised the network's Decision Desk that accurately called the 2020 Arizona race for Biden, following controversy from viewers and network anchors.
February 2021: Poynter Institute criticizes Fox News' content
In February 2021, Tom Jones from the Poynter Institute argued that the main difference between Fox News and MSNBC was not political bias but the lack of truth in much of Fox News' content, especially during primetime. This critique highlighted ongoing concerns about the network's commitment to factual reporting.
February 2021: Smartmatic Files $2.7 Billion Defamation Suit
In February 2021, Smartmatic filed a $2.7 billion defamation suit against Fox News, several of its hosts, and Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani, for promoting false election fraud claims.
March 26, 2021: Dominion Files $1.6 Billion Defamation Suit
On March 26, 2021, Dominion Voting Systems filed a $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News, alleging that the network and its pundits spread conspiracy theories about Dominion and allowed false statements to be made about the company.
April 2021: Fox Seeks Dismissal of Smartmatic Suit
In April 2021, Fox News filed a court brief seeking dismissal of Smartmatic's defamation suit, arguing that the network was merely reporting allegations made by a sitting President and his lawyers.
April 2021: False Meat Consumption Story
In April 2021, multiple Fox News and Fox Business personalities incorrectly linked a university study to President Joe Biden's climate change agenda, falsely asserting that Americans would need to reduce meat consumption. Fox News aired graphics implying the information came from the Agriculture Department. Anchor John Roberts eventually acknowledged that the story was false.
May 12, 2021: Misleading Border Wall Report
On May 12, 2021, Fox News inaccurately reported that President Biden had resumed border wall construction. Correspondent Bill Melugin's story was later clarified to specify that only a levee wall was being built to address flood control issues. Fox News eventually updated the story headline but continued to present misleading information on air.
May 18, 2021: Fox News Moves to Dismiss Dominion Lawsuit
On May 18, 2021, Fox News filed a motion to dismiss Dominion Voting Systems' defamation lawsuit, claiming a First Amendment right to inform the public about newsworthy allegations of paramount public concern.
August 2021: Fox News' coordination with Ron DeSantis revealed
In August 2021, the Tampa Bay Times reported that Fox News producers had coordinated with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' aides to promote his political prospects. This included frequent network appearances and exclusive news events, raising questions about the network's journalistic integrity.
September 2021: Fox News Questions COVID-19 Vaccine
In September 2021, despite more than 90% of Fox Corporation's full-time employees being vaccinated, Fox News consistently questioned the efficacy and safety of the COVID-19 vaccine, promoting skepticism and criticizing vaccination efforts.
December 2021: Majed Khalil Sues Fox, Dobbs, and Powell
In December 2021, Venezuelan businessman Majed Khalil sued Fox News, Lou Dobbs, and Sidney Powell for $250 million, alleging they falsely implicated him in rigging Dominion and Smartmatic machines.
December 16, 2021: Judge Denies Fox's Motion to Dismiss Dominion Suit
On December 16, 2021, a Delaware Superior Court judge denied Fox News' motion to dismiss Dominion Voting Systems' defamation lawsuit, allowing the case to proceed.
2021: Fox News Shifts to More Opinion-Based Programming
Media analyst Brian Stelter noted that in 2021, Fox News made programming adjustments, incorporating more opinion-based content throughout the day. This shift was attributed to concerns about losing viewers to more conservative competitors offering similar content.
2021: Shepard Smith Discusses Departure from Fox News
In 2021, Shepard Smith stated in an interview with Christiane Amanpour that his position at Fox News had become "untenable" due to the "falsehoods" and "lies" spread on the network's opinion shows.
2021: NewsGuard Assesses Accuracy of FoxNews.com Content
In 2021, NewsGuard conducted an assessment of FoxNews.com, acknowledging the accuracy of content produced by beat reporters and network correspondents. However, they also highlighted instances of false and misleading claims, particularly regarding events like the January 6th Capitol attack.
2021: Fox News Settles Human Rights Violation Case
In 2021, Fox News agreed to pay a $1 million settlement to New York City after being cited for a pattern of violating NYC Human Rights Law. The settlement was part of an effort to continue implementing preventive measures against discrimination and harassment.
2021: Fox News Regains Lead in Cable News Ratings
In 2021, after a decline in ratings post-2020 U.S. presidential election, Fox News regained its lead in cable news ratings, surpassing CNN and MSNBC.
March 2022: Judge Rules Smartmatic Suit Can Proceed
In March 2022, a New York State Supreme Court judge ruled that Smartmatic's defamation suit against Fox News could proceed, allowing allegations against hosts Maria Bartiromo and Lou Dobbs to stand, while dismissing some claims against Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell.
June 2022: Judge Allows Dominion to Sue Fox Corporation
In June 2022, a Delaware Superior Court judge allowed Dominion Voting Systems to extend their lawsuit to Fox Corporation, suggesting Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch may have acted with actual malice regarding Dominion's election fraud claims.
June 16, 2022: Fox News Returns to Cignal in the Philippines
On June 16, 2022, Fox News Channel resumed its availability on Cignal in the Philippines after being removed on January 1, 2021, due to a contract expiration.
December 2022: Dominion Acquires Fox Communications
In December 2022, Dominion Voting Systems obtained communications between Fox News executives and hosts, and between a Fox Corporation employee and the Trump White House, showing they knew the network was reporting false information about election fraud claims.
2022: Wikipedia Considers Fox News 'Marginally Reliable' for Science and Politics
In 2022, Wikipedia updated its assessment of Fox News, labeling it 'marginally reliable' for science and political reporting, requiring case-by-case evaluation for such topics.
February 2023: Fox Hosts Mock Election Fraud Claims
A February 2023 Dominion court filing revealed internal messages between Fox News hosts mocking Trump's advisers and acknowledging the falsity of election fraud claims made by Sidney Powell and Rudy Giuliani.
February 2023: Fox's Internal Communications Released
In February 2023, Fox News' internal communications were released, showing that presenters and senior executives privately doubted Donald Trump's claims of a stolen election, with Rupert Murdoch describing them as "really crazy stuff."
February 2023: Smartmatic Suit Against Fox News Moves Forward
In February 2023, the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division unanimously rejected Fox News' attempt to dismiss the Smartmatic defamation suit, reinstating allegations against Rudy Giuliani and Jeanine Pirro.
March 2023: Controversial Tucker Carlson Episode Airs
In March 2023, an episode of Tucker Carlson Tonight aired, which included controversial claims described as "malicious misinformation" about trans, non-binary, gender non-conforming, and two-spirit communities. This episode prompted complaints and led to a public consultation by the CRTC in May 2023.
March 2023: Fox CEO Criticizes Fact-Checking
In March 2023, internal communications from Fox News revealed CEO Suzanne Scott criticizing fact-checking of Trump's election fraud claims, stating it was losing the network's audience trust and belief.
March 31, 2023: Judge Rules Statements About Dominion Are False
On March 31, 2023, Delaware Superior Court judge Eric Davis ruled that it was clear none of the statements made about Dominion Voting Systems in relation to the 2020 election were true, ordering the case to go to trial.
April 2023: Fox Settles with Majed Khalil
In April 2023, Lou Dobbs and Fox News reached a confidential settlement with Majed Khalil, who had sued them for falsely implicating him in rigging Dominion and Smartmatic machines.
April 18, 2023: Fox News Settles with Dominion
On April 18, 2023, Fox News reached a settlement with Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million, acknowledging the Court's rulings that certain claims about Dominion were false, thus concluding the lawsuit just before the trial was set to begin.
May 2023: CRTC Opens Public Consultation on Fox News
In May 2023, the CRTC announced it would open a public consultation regarding Fox News Channel's carriage in Canada. This decision was influenced by complaints from the LGBT advocacy group Egale Canada about a March 2023 episode of Tucker Carlson Tonight, which was accused of spreading "malicious misinformation" about trans and non-binary communities.
May 22, 2023: Fox News Tonight Discusses Italian Climate Protests
On May 22, 2023, during an episode of Fox News Tonight, correspondent Trace Gallagher discussed Roman climate protesters drawing attention to drought and floods in Italy. Gallagher downplayed the role of climate change in the recent weather events, citing historical meteorological patterns in Italy.
2023: Murdoch Testifies in Fox News Deposition
In 2023, Rupert Murdoch testified that some Fox News commentators endorsed election fraud claims they knew were false during their coverage of the 2020 election.
2023: Murdoch Abandons News Corporation and Fox Merger Plans
In 2023, The Economist reported that Rupert Murdoch had abandoned plans to merge News Corporation with Fox. The decision was reportedly influenced by resistance from News Corp investors concerned about the potential negative impact of being associated with Fox News, which they perceived as a "toxic brand."
2023: Murdoch Steps Down, Lachlan Takes Over
In 2023, Rupert Murdoch made the decision to step down from his leadership role, paving the way for his son, Lachlan, to take the helm of both Fox Corporation and News Corp., marking a significant transition in the media empire's leadership.
2023: Fox News Settles Dominion Lawsuit for $787.5 Million
In 2023, Fox News settled the defamation lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems by agreeing to a substantial payment of $787.5 million. The settlement included an acknowledgment from Fox that it had broadcast false statements about Dominion.
2023: Fox News Remains Dominant, Generating Substantial Profit for Fox Corporation
As of 2023, Fox News continued to maintain its position as the most-watched cable news network in the United States. The network's success translated into significant financial gains, generating approximately 70% of its parent company's, Fox Corporation, pre-tax profit.
February 2024: Johns Hopkins University criticizes Fox News' structure
In February 2024, Alan Rosenblatt of Johns Hopkins University stated that Fox News operates as an entertainment company with a news division, blurring the lines between opinion and news content, which he argued was a deliberate effort to deceive viewers.
March 2024: Fox News Leads in Viewership Across Key Demographics
In March 2024, Fox News was the most-watched news network in total day and prime time viewers, outperforming competitors like MSNBC and CNN in both total audience and the Adults age 25-54 category.
2024: Fox News Promotes Conspiracy Theory Involving Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce
In early 2024, Fox News propagated a conspiracy theory that attempted to link Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, and the American Democratic party with the intention of influencing voters in the lead-up to the U.S. presidential primaries.