HOW FOX NEWS IS TAKING ON CBS, ABC, AND NBC: The Bold Strategy to Steal Billions in Ad Revenue from Legacy Networks

In a daring new move, Fox News is launching an all-out campaign to challenge legacy networks CBS, ABC, and NBC for their lucrative advertising revenue. With traditional TV viewership declining, Fox’s pitch centers around its ability to offer live audiences that legacy networks can no longer guarantee. What does this mean for the future of broadcast television? Want to know how this intense, game-changing moment unfolded? Click below to read all the shocking details of the encounter that’s got the media world buzzing!👇👇

Fox News Launches Full-Spectrum Campaign to Challenge Legacy Networks for Billions

In a bold, aggressive move that has stunned the media landscape, Fox News has launched a campaign to take on traditional broadcast giants CBS, ABC, and NBC, aiming to claim billions in advertising revenue that have historically been reserved for these networks. This marks the beginning of a major strategic shift for Fox News, which has long dominated cable news but now seeks to dominate the larger broadcast market in a changing media environment.

For years, the battles between major companies have been predictable: Pepsi vs. Coke, Verizon vs. T-Mobile, and, of course, Fox News against its cable competitors CNN and MSNBC. But recently, Fox Corp. has been aiming its sights on a new battlefield—securing the massive advertising budgets that used to be the bread and butter of traditional broadcast TV.

Media-buying executives at Fox News have been making the case to top agencies that, in today’s streaming era, their cable outlet offers something that traditional broadcast networks can no longer guarantee—large, live audiences. In a world where consumers increasingly watch TV on-demand through broadband services, Fox News still draws massive live viewership, which is an incredibly valuable asset for advertisers. While networks like CBS, NBC, and ABC no longer have the same certainty of viewership at set times, Fox News has positioned itself as a platform that can deliver the kind of live, immediate audience that advertisers crave.

As part of this strategic shift, Fox News is aggressively pushing itself as a “fifth broadcast network,” positioning its flagship programs against iconic prime-time shows from traditional networks. This new focus is taking place against the backdrop of market uncertainty, especially considering the Trump administration’s policies, including the imposition of tariffs, that have added complexity to advertising sales.

Trey Gargano’s Sales Pitch: Fox News as the New Prime Time

Trey Gargano, the executive vice president of advertising sales for Fox News, made the case in a recent interview that the network’s offerings—while priced lower than broadcast prime time—still boast the same scale and reach. He added, “We have the same audience, the same reach, and our viewership overlaps highly with theirs. There’s really nothing else like it in the marketplace.” Gargano’s pitch centers on Fox News’s ability to engage the highly coveted 25-54 demographic, the key target for advertisers in news programming, and how Fox’s consistent viewership rivals, if not surpasses, that of broadcast networks.

The aggressive push by Fox News also comes at a time when advertisers are starting to show renewed interest in news programming as a whole. Historically, advertisers were wary of placing their products in news programming, especially after the political polarization that took center stage in the years following the 2016 election. Pharmaceutical manufacturers, automotive companies, and financial-services firms have been the primary advertisers in news programs, with big consumer goods companies tending to avoid it.

But things are starting to shift. According to media buying executives like Suzanna Irving, president of integrated investment and client solutions at Omnicom Group, there is now a “more nuanced approach” toward news programming. In the past, advertisers avoided it because of the highly charged, divisive environment. But now, they’re beginning to take another look at news outlets, especially those with a high volume of live viewers like Fox News.

The Changing Media Landscape: Fox News’ Rise

Fox News has been able to capitalize on the growing interest in news programming by offering live, real-time broadcasts that resonate with both traditional TV viewers and those more accustomed to streaming content. As more viewers migrate to streaming services, the networks are forced to recalibrate their strategies, focusing on younger, more diverse audiences that they can monetize.

Fox News, by contrast, has experienced a massive surge in viewership following the 2024 presidential election, a time when political news is at its peak. According to Nielsen, Fox News’ total day viewership increased by 48% in the first quarter of 2025, and its audience among viewers aged 25 to 54 rose by 58%. This surge places Fox News in direct competition with the broadcast networks, which have historically dominated advertising dollars by securing audiences through scripted content and live programming.

In comparison, NBCUniversal and other major media companies are grappling with the shift toward streaming and the challenges of catering to an audience that’s harder to pin down. The shift away from traditional linear TV has also made it more difficult for broadcasters to guarantee live viewership, forcing them to become more inventive in their advertising pitches.

Fox News has seized this moment, using its audience reach as a compelling argument for why advertisers should reconsider their dependence on traditional broadcast media. This shift has also opened up opportunities for Fox to challenge its competitors by positioning itself as the new “prime time” network.

Fox News’ Competitive Edge and Market Perception

Fox News’s strategic repositioning has had a ripple effect across the media industry. As Gargano pointed out, the network is no longer focused solely on its primetime opinion lineup. Instead, Fox News is now presenting itself as a comprehensive offering across all hours of the day. “Our focus is on the entire schedule,” Gargano stated. “We’re not just selling prime-time. We’re selling our network’s ability to reach millions every hour of the day.”

The response from Wall Street has been positive, with analysts noting that Fox News is seeing a historically high share of cable news ratings. The network’s ability to attract blue-chip advertisers has helped it gain market share, especially from cable entertainment channels, whose advertising budgets have been shrinking. According to Alan Gould of Loop Capital, “Fox News is poised for an upside surprise, attracting new advertisers while continuing to dominate its cable news competition.”

Fox News’ Investment in Podcasting and Digital Platforms

Recognizing the shift in media consumption, Fox News has expanded beyond traditional TV programming to include podcasts and digital content. Fox has been positioning Greg Gutfeld’s late-night show against major competition like Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert, while also investing in new podcast segments designed to appeal to a younger, digitally-savvy audience. This move aligns with Fox News’ broader strategy of capturing the live audience while simultaneously expanding its presence in the digital space.

CEO Lachlan Murdoch described Fox News Channel as a “fifth broadcast network” during a recent investor call, emphasizing that the network’s influence extends far beyond cable television. Murdoch noted that the network’s reach and programming model are comparable to broadcast giants like ABC, CBS, and NBC, thanks to its ability to deliver live content and cultivate loyal viewers. This expansion into podcasting and digital media platforms has proven to be an effective way for Fox to diversify its offerings and capture a broader audience across different formats.

Broadcast Networks in the Crosshairs

With this aggressive strategy, Fox News is pushing the envelope in ways that few expected. The network’s newfound willingness to embrace podcasting, streaming, and live digital media has put pressure on legacy broadcast networks like CBS, ABC, and NBC to rethink their strategies. While these networks continue to rely on scripted content and traditional formats, Fox News has already shifted to meet the demands of an evolving audience. The days of scripted drama being the primary draw for advertising dollars are waning, and Fox News seems well-positioned to take advantage of this new reality.

As Fox News continues to push boundaries, its growing influence on the advertising landscape and the broader media industry will force traditional broadcasters to reevaluate how they engage with viewers. The shift from linear TV to digital platforms is changing the media game, and Fox is making sure it’s at the center of that transformation.

The Future of News Advertising

As we look ahead, Fox News’ rise presents a new model for news programming in the streaming era. The network’s ability to generate massive live audiences while maintaining relatively low advertising rates compared to traditional broadcast prime-time shows has created a unique opportunity for advertisers. And with its growing presence in digital media, Fox is well-positioned to capitalize on the ongoing shift in how viewers consume content.

However, the true test of Fox News’ strategy will come as competitors like CNN and MSNBC also attempt to pivot to the new media environment. Fox News is carving out its niche as a reliable source for live, real-time news that advertisers can trust. The next few years will reveal whether this shift in focus can sustain the network’s dominance, or if the traditional networks can successfully fight back and reclaim their share of the audience.

Ultimately, Fox News’ new direction signifies a broader change in the media landscape. It’s a battle for relevance in a rapidly changing world, where live content and real-time news coverage are more crucial than ever. And with the network’s new tactics, it seems poised to become the leader in a future where traditional broadcast models no longer hold sway over the hearts and minds of viewers.

Conclusion: A New Era for News Media

Fox News has reshaped the way the media industry thinks about news programming, advertising, and digital content. The move to position itself as a “fifth broadcast network” and aggressively pursue advertising dollars from traditional media giants is a game-changing strategy that could dominate the landscape for years to come. With its ability to capture large, live audiences and its expansion into podcasting and streaming platforms, Fox News is positioning itself as the new standard-bearer in an industry undergoing rapid transformation.

In the coming years, Fox’s growth will likely continue to challenge legacy broadcasters, while its embrace of digital and live content may redefine how advertisers view the media landscape. As it stands, Fox News has managed to disrupt the media world, all while expanding its reach and maintaining its foothold in both traditional and digital spaces. Whether its approach will pay off in the long term remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Fox News is no longer just competing with cable news rivals; it’s in a league of its own, setting the pace for the future of news media.