After months of criticism from President Donald Trump and his most ardent supporters, Fox News, the once-powerful Republican-targeted cable news juggernaut, is shaking up its daytime lineup in what will likely amount as an attempt to win back the President’s base.
Starting on January 18, Fox News will introduce a new program, cut hours from others, and generally rearrange virtually every daytime programming block after their abysmal ratings have made them the worst daytime cable network.
As Adweek reported, Fox News has fallen to the back of the cable news pack in both daytime and prime time coverage in key demographics, as well as total audience.
Many have noted this may have influenced the network’s decision to completely revamp its lineup.
“They shook up the lineup today,” wrote Eric Bolling. “I wouldn’t be surprised if there were some management changes soon.”
🚨Fox slaughtered-
LAST PLACE in all ratings categories:
Daytime:
25-54 demo- last
Total audience- lastPrimetime:
25-54 demo- last
Total audience- lastThey shook up -the lineup today- I wouldn’t be surprised if there were some management changes soon.https://t.co/jDmzdff1r3
— 🇺🇸ERIC BOLLING🇺🇸 (@ericbolling) January 12, 2021
As Fox News noted on its website, virtually every daytime hour, as well as the afternoon fringe, have been changed.
A source familiar with Fox News’s programming decisions over the years explained the changes to National File.
From 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., America’s Newsroom will regain host Bill Hemmer, who will be joined by Dana Perino. The program has also been shortened an hour. Sandra Smith will be moved to a different slot. It should also be noted that former Fox News personality Ed Henry cohosted with Smith until he was accused of sexual assault last summer.
Harris Faulkner will move to 12 p.m. for a new program, The Faulker Focus. Her program Outnumbered was previously scheduled for 1 p.m. It appears she will keep this 1 p.m. timeslot as well.
From 1 p.m. to 3 pm., Fox News has planned a new program titled America Reports with John Roberts & Sandra Smith. These slots were previously held by Faulkner and Perino. Earlier in Fox News’s history, Megyn Kelly hosted her long-cancelled program at 1 p.m.
Smith was roundly criticized by President Trump’s supporters after she allegedly mocked a guest discussing the credible accusations of widespread voter fraud the plagued the 2020 election.
Similarly, Roberts was allegedly blindsided and became emotional after learning anti-Trump host Shepard Smith was leaving the network.
Martha MacCallum’s program, The Story with Martha MacCallum, will remain intact, but lose its prime time slot. Instead, the program will air at 3 p.m. This slot was previously held by Hemmer, who replaced Smith after he left Fox News.
Your World with Neil Cavuto, The Five, and Special Report with Bret Baier will all retain their times from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
At 7, in lieu of MacCallum’s program, Roberts will receive a full hour in Fox News Primetime.
Fox News’s prime time programming and hosts, including Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham, and Shannon Bream, will not be changed.
