Fox Business Network to launch in October…
Work has been kicking my butt today otherwise I would have gotten around to this hours ago. FNC announced the launch date for Fox Business Network. Here’s the release…
FOX Business Network (FBN) will launch on October 15, 2007, announced Neil Cavuto, FOX News Senior Vice President and Managing Editor of Business News. FBN currently has 30 million subscribers under contract after securing distribution agreements with major cable operators in top markets around the country, including the world’s financial capital — New York — where it will be seen on expanded basic cable.
Headquartered in News Corporation’s street level studios in midtown Manhattan, FBN has also established bureaus in such key markets as Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco (Silicon Valley), Washington, D.C. and London.
In making the announcement, Cavuto said, “I’m extremely excited to be part of such a dynamic venture and I look forward to building on the success of our existing top five business programs in cable news.”
FOX News Executive Vice President Kevin Magee will be responsible for the channel’s day to day operations, while Cavuto will direct content and business news coverage and serve in an on-air capacity. Cavuto will report to Magee and Roger Ailes, Chairman & CEO, FOX News and Chairman of FOX Television Stations, who will oversee FBN.Magee added, “We are excited to introduce the FOX Business Network into the financial news arena and look forward to growing our subscriber base to develop a competitive network in the coming years.”
Does this mean they have a solid 10% of the ENTIRE US POPULATION already sewn up to have access to their freakin’ channel? Must admit, that’s an impressive IPO.
Maybe it’ll force CNBC to trot out some fresh new Money Honey’s!
FOX’s slate of weekend “Business Block” hosts are…. as creepy as the dearly departed Rachel Marsden. JJ Ramberg is my favorite Biz Chick. Even tho she has what amounts to a cable access show.
Comment by kevbo — July 11, 2007 @ 5:00 pm
If it’s anything like Fox news, I predict it will be ahead of CNBC in 12 months!
Comment by Steve L — July 11, 2007 @ 5:02 pm
October. Woohoo! I can’t wait. I have so many questions. Who is going to host all the shows? Who are the new people they hired? What’s going to be the morning show? Is there going to be a show just about Real Estate? What about a show just about retirement? Questions, questions, questions!
Comment by Noelle — July 11, 2007 @ 5:20 pm
Ah, my Directv is anxiously awaiting FBN! What ever happened to FBC? Was there a last minute name change?
Comment by Terance — July 11, 2007 @ 5:20 pm
Weeeeeeeeeeeeee! I can’t wait!!! Look at the advantages FBN has already. They have loyal FNC viewers that will most likely tune in to FBN now for their business news. They’re in the city so booking guests to be on shows will be real easy as oppose to CNBC which guests have to travel all the way to NJ or be on a satellite feed. I still like CNBC since I watch most of their programs but I see them going the way of CNN. 2nd place business channel. Hell it can happen in the 1st year.
Comment by Lurker — July 11, 2007 @ 5:40 pm
I don’t understand how you people think FBN is going to become #1 in the ratings department when it’s only being carried in 30m homes (vs. 90m+ homes for CNBC)…doesn’t seem too possible initially — the gap is too big (for now). Although I haven’t seen FBN’s programming obviously, I doubt there will be as much out-of-home viewing as CNBC initially…I can’t imagine gyms, bars or trading floors switching from CNBC to FBN very quickly (assuming they even get it in the first place!).
Comment by Anonymous — July 11, 2007 @ 6:07 pm
Exactly right, Anonymous! I can’t wait for the “loyalists” to start complaining about not being able to receive it.. without signing up with a satellite company. :>
Comment by Terance — July 11, 2007 @ 6:12 pm
4.
FBC was used to describe the idea.
FBNetwork IS the word used to describe the reality. See the Network will be just that, a network of parts all joining to form one. The Network will have much to draw upon including the reach of DJ/WSJ and Forbes, their analysts, reporters, employees and yes their eyeballs. And who could forget the reach of the mother ship FNC, which is already called The CHANNEL, and therefore NETWORK is just the natural progression.
6.
You bring up a good point about #1 overnight it will not be. but you can bet (get it) your bottom dollar that it will be the quickest rises to #1 ever. Cnbc is treading water right now, so with a 30 mil anticipated launch, and 3 months of hype, the 30 million will grow to 60 (at least) by years end. See Rupert bet the farm on DJ/WSJ and he’s gonna get it tomorrow. That name will with that reach will bring the numbers to 90 million by next summer. So I’ll go out on a limb and say Cnbc will be spun off or dead by Novie 08.
As for the Bars gyms and trading floors, you needn’t worry. You’ll be able to watch while you work on that spare tire.
7.
The last line of 6 applies to you too.
Hmmm - July 11, 2007 @ 6:43 pm
Comment by Hmmm — July 11, 2007 @ 6:44 pm
Thanks for the explanation on naming, Hmmmm!
Comment by Terance — July 11, 2007 @ 7:15 pm
I really Rebecca Gomez goes a Business show on the new Network.
Comment by Maddie — July 11, 2007 @ 7:28 pm
Although FBN will only reach 30 mil, that number should grow bigger over time. And besides, IF it fails, it has not been that huge of an investment. The on-air personalities already have appeared on fnc for years, and Murdoch took a much larger risk and used more cash to start FNC.
Comment by JMK24 — July 11, 2007 @ 7:53 pm
9.
What about the spare tire ?
Hmmm - July 11, 2007 @ 9:18pm
Comment by Hmmm — July 11, 2007 @ 9:18 pm
Terrance…you actually understood that? LOL
Comment by Anonymous — July 11, 2007 @ 10:10 pm
Hmmm: What are you smokin, dude?
FBN already has deals with the biggest cable operators; Comcast, Time-Warner etc. Now they have to work on signing the little guys. 60M by the end of the year? “Anonymous” is correct: highly unlikely.
As I told Terance the last time an item about FBN was posted, it will take a few years to get established. You can bet that whatever their initial lineup is on October 15, there will be many changes before they get it right.
And don’t forget that unlike CNBC, FBN will be on a digital tier on many cable systems. It is easier to find channel 36 than 485!
Noelle: A prediction: at least one big name from someplace else, not necessarily CNBC, will sign with FBN before the launch.
Personally I wonder what will become of “Your World With Neil Cavuto” and the Cost of Freedom Saturday block on FNC. Maybe Neil doesn’t do as well in the demo as others at Fox, but I look forward to his show every day and would like to see “Your World” stay on FNC.
Comment by Ira — July 11, 2007 @ 10:19 pm
Hmmm — There is nothing to be ashamed of if you prefer guys with spare tires. However, I’m 5′11 and 175. So, I don’t possess said tire!
Comment by Terance — July 12, 2007 @ 7:07 am
This is great news.
I hope and wish FBN success; CNBC needs competition they had none up to now.
Comment by sandy — July 12, 2007 @ 8:13 am
Life, “dude”.
The “little guys” will drop like flies, when their “CUSTOMERS” demand to be included and the initial success of the first months become highly visible. Rupert doesn’t understand the words “highly unlikely”
You and Terance can continue to chat, but the fact remains, FBN will use the resources of the mother ship, so the “years to get established” you speak of simply will not be the case.
As I have said from the beginning when you ninnies were speculatin’ on the seriousness of the $60 bid and the difficulties of a launch, Rupert, Roger and Magee did this just 10 years ago. This is a highly planned and well though out venture. Will there be hiccups? yes. But will they take ‘years” to shake out ? doubt it. this Network will hit the ground running and as I said Novie 08 will not be a happy time for CNBC.
Noelle, Ira, really stepped out on the limb. Look for 4 big names before launch, 2 from Cnbc or nbc.
15, Sounds like you could use a lobster roll. I used spare tire cause I though you would like the reference to automobiles. - member.
Hmmm - July 12, 2007 @ 11:53 am
Comment by Hmmm — July 12, 2007 @ 11:53 am
Ya, I laughed for a while about that! Btw, I sure hope FBN isn’t remotely thinking about hiring Maria Bartiromo. IMO, they should hire Erin Burnett and Melissa Francis.
Comment by Terance — July 12, 2007 @ 12:20 pm
Noelle, Ira, really stepped out on the limb. Look for 4 big names before launch, 2 from Cnbc or nbc.
Hmmm: When does Lou Dobbs’ contract expire? :)
Comment by Ira — July 12, 2007 @ 12:21 pm
Lou might seem logical, but the suits, would never hire him me thinks
Hmmm - July 12, 2007 @ 102
Comment by Hmmm — July 12, 2007 @ 1:02 pm
Hmm: Not to engage in wild speculation but:
a) Cavuto has spoken highly of Lou in some end-of-show commentaries,
b) historically Dobbs has had some rocky moments with his bosses (he once left CNN to start a website), and
c) the libs at CNN can’t be too pleased with his anti illegal alien views.
Comment by Ira — July 12, 2007 @ 3:49 pm
You could be right. I used to like him (business reporting) when he did Moneyline.
But he then he started commenting (punditry) on his reports at night.
The fact that he is on at 8pm might pose a problem for him because he was an Or. competitor. And Or. might not (will not) like the idea of his competition coming aboard. Seems he already had that in the past.
Hmmm - July 12, 2007 @ 6:45 pm
Comment by Hmmm — July 12, 2007 @ 6:45 pm
No, I hope they do not hire Erin Burnett. I do not like her! This morning I saw some of Morning Joe and she was on. She was dissing Fox and FBN. She said no one would watch FBN and laughed it off. Joe asked her if she was going over to FBN and she said no.
Comment by Noelle — July 12, 2007 @ 8:13 pm