News Corp.'s Murdoch defends Fox News' Glenn Beck

Advertisers may be backing away from Fox News personality Glenn Beck, but News Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch is standing pat.

Murdoch was asked on the company's third quarter analyst call about the departure of advertisers, many of whom have left the show in an organized protest that began last year when Beck said President Obama had a "deep-seated hatred of white people." One wanted to know how long Fox News would "subsidize" the show, which is "filled with house ads."

"It's not subsidizing the show at all," Murdoch fired back, adding that the theatrical Beck gives "a terrific kickoff" to the Fox News evening lineup.

For the month of April, Beck's 5 p.m. show averaged 2.1 million viewers, easily beating CNN and MSNBC and providing a strong lead-in to the rest of the network's early evening and prime-time lineup.

While the 2.1 million figure is impressive, it is down 30% from January when his program was averaging almost 3 million viewers. People close to Beck attributed the drop in part to the start of daylight saving time in March. However, his numbers have been in decline since before the days got longer.

Fox News itself continues to dominate its competitors and recently stretched its prime-time winning streak in viewers and key demographics to 100 months.

-- Dawn C. Chmielewski

Photo: Glenn Beck. Credit: Richard Drew / Associated Press

Comments

[JimiBob]

Beck brought Van Jones to the forefront and he ultimately resigned from the Obama Administration. He has also informed the public of some of the weird, socialists that Obama has surrounded himself with. I wish he would focus on Reggie Love, Obama's bag man, who is nothing but a bar fly.

[Henry Valdez]

Beck Insane ?
Becks insane show has had how many Czars resign from Obama's Mickey Mouse
Crew ?
3-4-5 ? Why does Obama's people keep mentioning Stalin,Mao ?

Its apparent Obama is Insane. Beck's picture on Time ? The left can't Deny Beck is right !

Get ready Beck may get Obama next.

How about economy ? Obama has no interest in that,redistrubute Dinero,HPV911

[MotherLodeBeth]

While I admit I watched Glenn Beck a little, I also will note that the show got old fast. Especially if one is well read, and educated enough to be able to see the out of context quotes, or 'facts' that when looks closer are often different from what Beck presented. Beck depends on his avid followers to not see his show as a performance but a show that is actually factual.
Like his book Common Sense: The Case Against an Out-of-Control Government, Inspired by Thomas Paine. Notice the word 'inspired'. How many of his followers have read Paine? Much less his work The Rights of Man, which has liberal, social justice ideas.
It actually reminds me of the early church, where people were not to read the Bible themselves, but rely on the pastor to tell you what was in the Bible. Then the printing press came along and more people could afford their own copy, and thats when they discovered they had been lied to.

[Guido]

I always cracks me up when people use the word liberal as a slur.

[Mark Sumner]

Glenn Beck is alarmist and a little conspiratorial when held up against his colleagues at Fox. However, I believe what he says is heart felt and not solely an effort to gain ratings. People watch Beck because they believe he is a sincere voice when others seem to have hidden agendas and bias. I will admit that lately he has turned up the "the time is now" rhetoric and it does wear on me as a listener and viewer. But if you compare his approach to that of his critics and competition, you'll find a very understanding and caring person as opposed to an insulting and blame filled rant. I like Beck. If his show was like his old radio program he would not have a show. He is what people want to hear today.

[Brandon Bittle]

I look at these comments and just cringe. You people are either stupid or lack common sense. Take a look at the economy, our deficite is at an all time high, inflation is going up, and Obama is not protecting this country as a U.S. President should. Watiching MSNBC or CNN is not going to give you the facts. This country is traveling down a road to becoming like European countries. If you think that is good then you are an idiot. The U.S. is what it was because of a Republican view. Look at all the greatest Presidents that we have had, look at the ones so well know for making this country prosper, ALL REPUBLICANS. Now look at the one responsible for the GREAT DEPRESSION, or any other crapy President, ALL DEMOCRATS. And don't mention Bush, he is a Progressive Republican. Just like McCain. Wake TFU people. This country is falling apart and the government is trying to gain control of everything, Healthcare, Energy, Financial, does that not scare you?

[JAKE]

Hate speech is the PERFECT kickoff to a night of Fox "news".
Check out "A Face In The Crowd" to truly understand Glenn Beck.
He reminds me of Hugo Chavez. Both "cry" because they love the "average" person so much. Meanwhile they use their bully pulpits to sow the seeds of class warfare while they live like Kings.
FAIL.

[Matt]

Fox News is just an investment to Mr. Murdoch. It's just like Warren Buffett stating that GoldmanSachs was just business, no harm, no foul. Powerful people covering their, uh, tracks.
I have never listened to, read, or watched Glenn Beck, and unless he ends up as a politician or cabinet member, he is just another talking head. I do my own research, reading the entire speech, not just the sound bites. I have concluded that politicians view compromise as a loss. Either they get things entirely their way, (both parties have this attitude) or they act like children, who take "their" ball and go home, if they don't get their way. The poor and middle class end up paying the price. It's called the "art of give and take.," aka diplomacy.
Zero-diplomacy + Zero-civility=Our present situation
I have a solution for both Glenn Beck lovers/haters, use the Channel Up/Down button on your remote. And vote.

[Alison Crutchfield]

Beck, Limbaugh, Hannity, Coulter, and now Palin - along with the rest of the right-wing media circus - depend on the fact that their viewers/listeners tend to be ignorant and uneducated about government, politics, and history. Because so many of those viewers insist on being stubbornly uninformed or misinformed, and refuse to accept facts about everything from evolution to climate change, it is easy for 'entertainers' like Beck and Limbaugh to say just about anything that will create more heat than light.

Sadly, because Beck frames his comments in a form of faux intellectualism (an irony in itself since the right wing is constantly assailing 'pointy headed intellectuals') by using (and misusing) complex concepts AND a blackboard, his uneducated viewers feel that they are being privileged to watch REAL analysis, rather than a carny sideshow. Worse, those viewers don't ever know that they are being used by a person who has admitted that he is ONLY an entertainer. The cynicism exhibited by Fox, and the rest of that crowd can only contribute not only to a degradation of whatever civic discourse we have left in America, but to the eventual alienation of those viewers who finally discover that they've been used, and badly.

I'd love to have all those right wingnuts who so passionately defend the Right Wing Media Circus and its 'entertainers' actually learn something for a change. Maybe watch some Sunday shows, pick up a dictionary or even an encyclopedia, learn some REAL history and the correct definitions of words like "Socialism" and "Communism" - and then TRY and watch or listen to Beck or Limbaugh. I'd be willing to bet that their admiration for these cheap hucksters would diminish - as would their disdain for the 'pointy headed intellectuals' of whom they are so critical.

But then, that would take more effort than sitting passively in a chair and engaging in meaningless outrage, wouldn't it?

[Chris Tucker]

Murdoch shouldn't brag too much about ratings.

Fox News is frequently beaten in the ratings for its timeslot by pro wrestling and Spongebob reruns.

Secondly, its prime demographic is old white people. Who are dropping dead at an increasing rate.

The US population is trending younger, more liberal, and more ethnic, all groups who do not tend to watch Fox News.

[Michelle]

Liberals can't stand it w hen someone disagrees with them. What I like about Glenn Beck you have the opportunity to review what he is saying and make your own decisions. References are clearly made available. Unlike the liberal left that only knows one, you disagree with me you must be racist, crazy, unAmerican or something else. Many times as Beck asked the White House or someone to respond to what he is saying. Unfortunately the truth hurts and you really can't respond to the truth other than the same party line.. misguided, misinformed. mischaracterized.. Yes, The Obama Administration just misses the point all the way around.

[Anna Fiona]

Glen B. is in the worst evaluation, literally invested in keeping the US afraid and angry. His entire profit/income is based on whipping up the crowd and being as sensational as possible, pandering to the lowest elements of human nature. He follows the model of reality TV-always go with the drama-and if it is not there-make it happen. Anyone truly concerned with the state of affairs would be contributing solutions rather than fear/anger. As the old saying goes, "Any assh*%e can burn down a barn". And the least cynical evaluation is that he provides fantastic social commentary material for comedy and single handedly keeps fact checking institutions alive! And since polls show that Fox viewers are the least informed among news watchers, apparently people like being ignorant, angry and afraid, so enjoy!

[michelle]

Hey Garry Barnes, I've got news for you: Glenn Beck is a joke. He has no facts or information, only pure and unadulterated bull---. That's why the Whitehouse hasn't bothered to call him to correct his statements. Why should they waste their time arguing with an idiot, who is leading a large pack of more idiots over the cliff?

[mtnthc]

A patriot (scoundral), a scholar (of mindless propaganda) and national treasure (like trash talking Turleen).

[tom hhd]

"If what he says is wrong, why is it that the White House has never called the 'RED PHONE'?"

Really? Are you serious, Rhett Wooden? From the fact that the White House has not called Glenn Beck you infer that his statements must be accurate? Is this really the only possible inference you can draw? Was it beyond you to come up with the following alternative: The White House never calls Glenn Becks phone and from this we infer they do not find it a productive use of their time, they do not feel Glenn Beck is worth a response, etc. If so, are you retarded?

[kim]

Brandon I live in Europe and am an American. Have you ever been to Europe, worked or lived in Europe? We have it pretty good over here! I have stayed because I found it preferable to the US for a number of reasons. I can walk through the cities at night and not run a 90% chance of getting killed, mugged or harassed. I don't lay in bed at night worrying someone will break into my house and rape me. I don't have to worry about drive by shootings. The blatant racism is far less prevalent. I don't have to mortgage my first born child to pay the plethora of insurances required to live in the US. Family values are stronger. Life is less stressful. I don't have to spend 2.3 hours in traffic to get to work everyday. We get up to 6 weeks paid vacation every year. Public transport is safe and well developed in all of the large metropolises. Europe takes better care of it's environment. So really when you say it is going to turn into Europe. It's not a bad thing. So, how about people stop using Europe as an example of horror like people should stop using Republican Presidents as demons? American's work a lot harder for the life style we have in Europe. Go ahead and try and kill me with your statistics, it's the hands on everyday that counts.

[JB]

Why is it that liberals show so much hatred and intolerance of views they disagree with? Yet they accuse those on the right of being..wait for it...full of hatred and intolerance! No one who has criticized Glenn Beck on this site has been able to cite anything that he has been wrong about, yet they continue to call him names. I guess they feel that since they can't refute what he says, their only option is to insult him.

[Sweet Pea]

Hey Jake: why do u say that beck lives like a king? if u no this, give us some facts 2 back up the words out of your mouth....

And, hey craig, america is slowly killing its "younger" population by means of abortion; it's the "older" population u have to thank 4 your freedom and who put america on the map...

Hey Beck, please don't tire of pressing 4 solutions and informing us on how to prevent america's downfall, because, since God is not america's priority, that will be the course of this once great nation....

Today was National Prayer Day--how many of u took the time out of your meaningless lives 2 pray for our nation?

A Sister in Christ, Sweet Pea

[Roland Pettigrew]

Ah, how the mighty must struggle ...

GLENN BECK SAYS HIS WANING POPULARITY DUE TO ALIEN ABDUCTION … BY LIBERAL ALIENS … OR SOMETHING EQUALLY APOCALYPTIC

NEW YORK, NY — In his customary stretch limo, Glenn Back swept down from his sprawling $4.25 million mansion in New Canaan, Connecticut to the tony offices of his production company, Mercury Radio Arts in Manhattan, and was royally pissed.

The Los Angeles Times had quoted “people close to Beck” — i.e. in Beck’s own company — saying that the reason why the ratings of the uber-star of apocalyptic right-wing hysterics were waning on Fox News (down 30% from January to April 2010) was because of … daylight saving time in March.

[...]

Full story: http://lyingdognews.net/?p=2287

[CAROL ARMENT]

Glenn,

I never miss your show, thanks to DVR. I think that you are very brave and strive to bring your audience the unbridled truth. You tell us to do our own research. I pretty much believe everything you are saying, and it's all pretty scary. Already this country is almost unrecognizable and it breaks my heart. I think we are going to be driven off the cliff. Even those who are your detractors will eventually have to believe what this administration is doing. Too bad it will be too late by then. You tell us to fight what is going on. Here is my question: How do you fight them when they don't listen to us? They have this multi-faceted agenda and they are going full-steam ahead with no regard to the constitution and the fact that this country was never meant to be a socialist country. This country is great because it is unique due to the many freedoms we enjoy. HOW DO YOU FIGHT THIS STUFF?? That's my question. We will be voting on Tuesday. My worry is that come November, the reconstituted ACORN will be in force, perpetrating voter fraud on a grand scale. I really don't think these people are going to let something like a pesky election to shake them from their seats of power.

[Regina]

Beck ....has taught us a lot. Beck ...is part of the Great American Awakening

It's amazing how much Beck has contributed to the understanding
of the Left's workings..
Back scratching, interlinked groups, funding, all show a
well financed .. underculture...existing.. against American interests & culture.
Worse yet.... We find $$$ flowing to these groups from non profits
and now federal funding $$$ the millions via Obama Admin connections.
To a certain extent we have been hijacked.... as a passengers on the plane
we have been unaware of the situation...until we look out the window
and see us heading for a mountainside...
Beck.... thanks to Becks political discussions ... his black board has provided essential ideas & facts for our education.... Like one of those teachers you remember from school days..

Beck's efforts are appreciated....... America now Awakens

[Regina]

Beck....has grown on us... Has become a respected source of information
and has provided the information and linkage on the leftist subculture.

Beck .. has become a priority leftist target.
In fact GeoSoros .recently....announced thru his proxy
[ David Brock /Media Matters]... that Beck was Target #1 this season....
Tactics: include faux ethnic groups/ complaints to all advertisers ..&
finally .... the morning talking points to attack dogs ...KOS/ SEIU/ SLC or Politico & other agit prop groups.
Beck ....has help point out that the "drive by media /Journalism" ...is now a news speak cult...a throw back to the agit prop newspeak.of Stalin / Nazi .

Beck has made his case... & is .targeted for pointing to this embarrassing
linkage...
The Truth is the Victim ....... America is Awakening .. in many ways
thanks to Glenn Beck...