Shep’s new deal…
The New York Times’ Bill Carter writes about Shepard Smith’s new contract, notes the arrival of Lou Dobbs in the 7pm timeslot, and interviews Roger Ailes and Smith…
Though Mr. Smith’s program is down from his high-water mark in 2001, he has dominated ratings at the 7 p.m. hour, averaging about 1.4 million viewers and regularly doubling every challenger CNN has thrown against him. He also won widespread praise for his reporting of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. That raised his profile enough that he had been rumored to be considering offers from the high-paying network news divisions. But he found Mr. Ailes’s offer more persuasive.
“It’s fun to play who’s got what to offer,” Mr. Smith said in an interview in his Fox office. “I didn’t get there.”
The comparison with Mr. Dobbs has become more significant since CNN moved a Dobbs newscast to 7 p.m. from 6 p.m., where he now goes head to head against Mr. Smith. So far, Mr. Dobbs has gained some viewers over the program he replaced, but not at the expense of Mr. Smith, who is up as well.
What makes the face-off with Mr. Dobbs more intriguing is the seeming role reversal. Fox News, widely known for wearing its opinions on its lapels, has in Mr. Smith a news anchor whose goal is do the news “without any twist,” he said. “Shep is hard news,” Mr. Ailes said.
I’ve always been a big fan of Shep and his straight-forward reporting style. It’s good to see that his talent isn’t going unrewarded.
Comment by Caufield — November 19, 2007 @ 1:57 am
Many of us have commented on the earlier, undetailed version of this story http://insidecable.blogsome.com/2007/11/18/shepard-smith-signs-mega-deal-with-fnc/#comments (in case anyone from Fox is reading - good decision!)
We’re very happy for Shep!
Comment by Missy — November 19, 2007 @ 3:19 am
I was a Fox Hater for a long time (I’m a liberal) but that was before I actually began to watch Fox and for me, Shep is Fox. Whenever I hear people discuss the biases of Fox News I always say/think, “Then you haven’t watched Shep”. He’s the real deal. He’s quick on his feet, funny, a tough interviewer, and he’s not afraid to get out in the field and do on-scene reporting, no matter where it might happen to be. I’m delighted he’s pulling down this kind of $$$. It’s recognition of how good he really is. Congrats Shep!
It still doesn’t mean I’m in love with the rest of the FNC line-up by any means but I’m Pro-Shep all the way.
Comment by Alison — November 19, 2007 @ 9:15 am
At first i thought this was a bit steep, and im sure shep would agree its stupid amounts of money. However i think its justified, one of the networks would snap him up and pay that amount should he come on the market, and Fox recognise that.
If it wasn’t for Shepard Smith i wouldn’t be at Journalism school now. If it wasn’t for Shep i wouldn’t be watching Fox. He won me over the day Micheal Jackson was re-arrested in 2003?.
Comment by craig gordon — November 19, 2007 @ 9:39 am
I think what’s interesting about Shep is that he does two totally different newscasts each day. The 3pm hour is usually funnier (more humor bits), and a bit off-beat. He seems more relaxed, etc. The 7pm is a straight-up and down news broadcast, more serious in tone (okay, we have been getting the Daily Britney lately) but it shows you his versatility. The Paris Hilton Goes Back to Jail coverage remains a classic. He knew it was all a giant joke and he joined in and played it like the media circus that it was. It was one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen on a cable news channel. That 3pm hour is what Olbermann’s show USED to be like before it dissolved into a “Let’s Bush the GOP” hour. Jesus, I’m a Dem and I can’t even stand to watch the propaganda-some of it is OUT there. With Shep I can get the news and get it without the party politics attached from EITHER side. Imagine that.
Comment by Alison — November 19, 2007 @ 11:52 am
Just think about all the manicures and pretty clothes Shep can get now!
Comment by recko — November 19, 2007 @ 1:50 pm
Fox news and rush Limbaugh simulcast at 1PM today
http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/today.guest.html
Comment by foxmeansbusiness — November 19, 2007 @ 2:12 pm
Allison, I agree. I make a point of catching Shep’s 7 PM hour. When Olbermann first started I watched CD but Shep at 7 is ten times better than current CD and I don’t have to sit thru endless minutes of SS trashing another network. That is such a waste of time. I’m sorry I can’t see his 3 Pm hour.
Comment by Char — November 19, 2007 @ 6:01 pm