FNC At 10: The Naysayers

At the TCA Press Tour this summer and the FNC 10th anniversary party last week, screens showed “a series of negative ‘this-network-is–never-gonna-make it’ quotes that Fox News received from critics when it debuted ten years ago,” B&C notes. Here’s a sampling of the quotes:

“The idea, some suggested, was to give Mr. Ailes a toy to play with, though, given the current state of Fox News as described by some insiders, it may be less a toy than an imaginary friend.”

The New York Times, Bill Carter, 1/31/96

“First impression of the Fox News Channel: Pass the Dramamine.”

The Denver Post, Joanne Ostrow, 10/8/96

“If you’re watching the newborn Fox News Channel — an impossibility for most New Yorkers at this point — keep some Dramamine handy.”

NY Daily News, Eric Mink, 10/8/96

“For my money, the ‘Baywatch’ starlet has more news credibility (i.e., none) than a professional henchman/carnival barker like Ailes.”

Brian Lambert, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/22/96

“Wholly-owned Fox News faces even stiffer challenges. It’s competing against well-entrenched broadcasters ABC, CBS, and NBC as well as the
cable market leader, CNN, and MSNBC, the NBC-Microsoft joint venture, both of which boast wider distribution, stronger programming, and better-known news personalities.”

Marc Gunther, Fortune, 10/26/98