Megyn Kelly started her new stint in Fox News prime time this week, as the 5th schedule change ever for Fox News, went into effect. Fox is widely known as a right wing media leader, with strong opinion hosts such as Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity, so why is the network bringing in a host that won’t take crap from either side? Well, it’s just good business, according to the LA Times.
With all of the success Fox has, and being way ahead of competitors like CNN and MSNBC with 3 times more prime-time viewers, there was still an age problem. The median age of its audience is over 65, which is less appealing to advertisers. Although Fox News has a commanding lead among the important demographic of viewers aged 25 to 54, it wants to make a move now to protect its advantage.
The appeal to younger viewers includes an effort to have a host that is equal in calling out both parties on rhetoric on “The Kelly File”. “Megyn is the whole package,” said Bill Shine, Fox News executive vice president of programming. “She is very strong and nice — and unpredictable. If people try to cross her or try to get some B.S. past her, she will call them out. It doesn’t matter if they are on the left or on the right.”
There are plenty of anchors on the network voicing opinion. Perhaps younger viewers want to know what’s going on, but without the bias, in either direction, behind it. Kelly doesn’t intend the show to be a stage to shout her opinions from, even though she’s got plenty. Instead, the anchorwoman, in a phone interview last week, said she wants to produce a fast-paced, razor-sharp recap of the news of the day. She says she plans to keep her own politics out of it.
“I’m a news anchor, I’m not an ideologue,” Kelly said. “I don’t want to be an opinion anchor.” Hopefully, this could be a refreshing change and attract the younger people. It will also be great for those who wish to have news on what’s going on, then decide what to think of it for themselves.
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