Trump Wants To Start Digital Media Company To Destroy Fox News

File under “I’ll believe it when I see it” the news from Axios that Donald Trump wants to start a streaming service to compete with Fox Nation that will eventually take down the whole network. Updated.

Given the cost and difficulties in launching a cable channel, Trump’s plan to annihilate Fox is to go digital, according to “a source with detailed knowledge of Trump's intentions,” Axios’ Mike Allen reported today. He wrote:

Trump's digital offering would likely charge a monthly fee to MAGA fans. Many are Fox News viewers, and he'd aim to replace the network — and the $5.99-a-month Fox Nation streaming service, which has an 85% conversion rate from free trials to paid subscribers — as their top destination.

"He plans to wreck Fox. No doubt about it," the source told Allen. But while I'll agree that Trump’s database and cellphone numbers would give him what Allen called “a huge head start,” I find it hard to believe a Trump streaming service would be Fox’s undoing. Damage, maybe. Destroy? I'm skeptical.

Part of the problem for Trump, as I see it, is that Fox fans don’t just love the network but its hosts and pundits. Unless Trump can steal Sean Hannity or Tucker Carlson, or maybe Ainsley Earhardt, I don’t see a wipeout happening any time soon.

Also, let’s not forget, Trump is a terrible businessman.

But I could be wrong. Maybe "Breakfast with Ivanka and Jared" would be a smash hit, after all!

(Trump image via screen grab)

11/13/20 Update: CNN's Brian Stelter writes:

Fox employees are confident that the Biden years will be prosperous for the network, and they're not losing sleep over the prospect of "Trump TV," according to numerous sources at the company.

But some observers think they should be concerned. It is possible that the outgoing President could damage the Fox brand and peel away disillusioned viewers if he launches a media company of his own. It is possible that the right-wing media map, long controlled by Fox, is about to become balkanized.

Stelter also floats the possibility of a Trump show on Fox, maybe as a replacement for a retiring Sean Hannity. Personally, I think that or some kind of contributor role is the likeliest. Assuming Trump stays out of jail, that is.

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commented 2020-11-14 02:51:31 -0500 · Flag

Unfortunately, I fully expect Fox(not)News to bow to its master, if only because its hosts are damaged goods: not vicious enough for QANON, OAN and Newsmax; not credible enough for any fact-based employer.

commented 2020-11-14 02:48:49 -0500 · Flag

I agree totally with scooter’s comment, adding that I really do sincerely wish Trump success with his internecine war, because the latter has potential for keeping him mentally busy for a bit. I really do need some respite from the constant outrage that man and his minions are able to foment.

commented 2020-11-13 13:06:01 -0500 · Flag

Anything that hurts FOX is OK by me. That being said, this will be another epic fail for Chump. It will go bankrupt and out of business in record time. Remember – everything Chump touches dies.

Trump Wants To Start A Digital Media Company To Destroy Fox News

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