Fox News Media announced that CEO Suzanne Scott signed a multi-year agreement with Fox Corporation, in a clear sign of support for the chief executive.
Head of Fox Corporation Lachlan Murdoch said of Scott in a statement, “Suzanne’s stellar leadership and business acumen is evident across FOX News Media. His investments in people and the purpose of FOX News have allowed us to break ranking records, build a leading multiplatform news brand and create a more collaborative and inclusive internal culture. Suzanne’s track record of success, innovative spirit and dedication to excellence make her the ideal person to continue to lead and develop FOX News. “
Scott commented in a statement: “I am grateful to Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch for the opportunity to continue to lead FOX News Media and position all of our platforms for future success.”
Fox News recently made changes to its schedule by dealing with a new political media landscape following the end of the Trump administration – suffering a historic drop in ratings in the process. The cable television channel that once dominated the audience ranked third for much of January, a month that also saw CNN enjoy its best audience in history. Fox’s ratings have started to normalize since post-election lows.
Fox News talent changes are not uncommon. Shuffling a schedule line is the standard operating procedure after the general election, and CNN has changed its talent list as well.
Fox News also faces lawsuits from voting system companies like Dominion and Smartmatic, which sued the network and three of its top hosts for $ 2.7 billion for false allegations about the election. The network remained determined to maintain its opinion programs and report on alleged voter fraud, calling the process “without merit”.
Mediate reported on Monday that Scott would be holding a company-wide quarterly meeting to address the state of the company she oversees, which he timed with this announcement, will certainly be presented from a position of strength and security in his current job.
Read the full press release below:
NEW YORK, NY – February 9, 2021— Fox Corporation (Nasdaq: FOXA, FOX) signed a new multi-year contract with Suzanne Scott to remain in her current role as CEO of FOX News Media, announced Lachlan Murdoch, Executive President and Chief Executive Officer Fox Corporation executive, to whom she will continue to report.
In making the announcement, Murdoch said: “Suzanne’s stellar leadership and business acumen are evident across FOX News Media. Its investments in people and the purpose of FOX News have allowed us to break audience records, build a leading multiplatform news brand and create a more collaborative and inclusive internal culture. Suzanne’s track record of success, innovative spirit and dedication to excellence make her the ideal person to continue to lead and develop FOX News. “
Scott commented, “I am grateful to Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch for the opportunity to continue to lead FOX News Media and position all of our platforms for future success.”
In May 2018, Scott was named the first female CEO of FOX News. In that role, she expanded the FOX News Channel brand into a multiplatform powerhouse now known as FOX News Media. FOX News Media includes linear channels, FOX News Channel (FNC) and FOX Business Network (FBN); the direct-to-consumer streaming services FOX Nation and FOX News International, which Scott launched in 2018 and 2020, respectively; FOX News Digital and FOX News Audio, both reformulated; FOX News Books, which Scott launched in 2020; and the next FOX Weather platform, for which she announced plans in 2020.
Under his leadership, FNC was the most watched basic cable network for the fifth consecutive year in 2020 at significant times of the day, and was the first cable news network to end the year with over 3.5 million viewers on time noble, the highest rankings in it’s history. The FNC also ranked first in cable news for 19 consecutive years under Scott. Notably, in 2020, FOX News made television history as the first cable network to surpass prime time broadcast over a season, which the FNC has maintained from Memorial Day to the present. FOX News Media also reported stellar financial results with Scott, marking a record year in advertising sales during fiscal 2020.
Scott previously served as president of programming for FNC and FBN. In this role, she oversaw all network programming and talent management, which included significantly changing the FNC’s prime time schedule in 2017 and running new training during the day, prime time and weekend. Among the most successful changes were the replacement of Bill O’Reilly by Tucker Carlson Tonight at 8 pm, moving Hannity back to the 9 pm timeslot and launching Ingraham Angle at 10 pm.
She also co-created solo news programs anchored by Harris Faulkner and Martha MacCallum and incorporated Dana Perino into a successful journalism role, where she is now a co-anchor for America’s Newsroom. In the fall of 2017, Scott expanded the network’s programming to provide 20 hours of live programming. She is also responsible for having more women anchoring and presenting programs on FNC’s programming, which is among the largest in the sector.
Throughout his tenure as CEO, Scott has also led a number of initiatives to promote a more transparent work environment. In September 2020, FOX News Media was officially certified as “Great Place to Work” for the first time in its existence, a testament to the many cultural changes that Scott instituted, which include: establishing a diverse leadership team with women composing more of the half of the senior executives at FOX News; institute quarterly meetings with all employees; creation of networking events for women, as well as an interdisciplinary mentoring program for employees; lead multiple initiatives of diversity, inclusion and equity; pioneer in a series of internal awards to recognize employees at all levels; launching a new state-of-the-art newsroom in his office and doubling the footprint of the entire Human Resources operation.
During his 25-year career at FOX News, Scott rose through the ranks in a number of programming, production and creative positions after beginning his tenure in 1996 as assistant programmer for television luminary Chet Collier. Among these functions were: executive vice president of programming (2016); senior vice president of programming and development (2009); vice president of programming (2007); executive network producer (2005); as well as associate producer, producer and senior producer of On the Record w / Greta Van Susteren (2002-2005). In addition, she was responsible for the launch of several digital and on-air strategies, including the 2002 prime time debut of On the Record. She started her television career at CNBC.
Scott was widely recognized for his contributions to cable television. She was named one of Crain’s most powerful women in 2019 and honored by Variety as an impact woman in 2020. She was also one of The Hollywood Reporter’s most powerful people in the New York media in 2018-2019 and was selected for the Variety’s new 2018 power of the New York list, as well as the Variety 500 list of 2018, 2019 and 2020, an index of the most influential business leaders in shaping the media industry.
She received the Women of the Police Athletic League of the Year award in 2019, she was also named one of the Most Powerful Women in Cablefax Magazine’s cable TV in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, and Multichannel News’ Wonder Women in 2006. Scott graduated from American University with a degree in political science.
ABOUT FOX CORPORATION
Fox Corporation produces and distributes compelling news, sports and entertainment content through its iconic national brands, including: FOX News Media, FOX Sports, FOX Entertainment and FOX Television Stations. These brands have cultural significance for consumers and commercial importance for distributors and advertisers. The breadth and depth of our footprint allows us to offer content that engages and informs the public, develops deeper relationships with the consumer and creates more attractive product offerings. FOX maintains an impressive track record of success in the news, sports and entertainment industry that shapes our strategy to capitalize on existing strengths and invest in new initiatives. For more information about Fox Corporation, visit www.FoxCorporation.com.
ABOUT FOX NEWS MEDIA
FOX News Media operates the FOX News (FNC), FOX Business Network (FBN), FOX News Digital, FOX News Audio, FOX News Books, FOX Nation and FOX News International digital consumer streaming services and the recently launched FOX Weather platform announced. Currently the number one network on all cable channels, FNC has also been the most watched television news channel for 19 consecutive years, while FBN is currently among the top cable business channels. Owned by FOX Corporation, FOX News Media reaches 200 million people each month.
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