Staff Reports
Fox News, the network that prides itself on being fair and balanced, is feeling the heat as its viewership continues to plummet. With former President Donald Trump absent from the second GOP debate, the premier showcasing of also-ran candidates just isn’t cutting it for viewers. As a result, Fox has been forced to slash its advertising prices by more than half, a sign of desperation.
Ad rates for 30-second spots during the debate have dropped to $225,000 from the previous $495,000. Even the run-up to the debate is seeing a decrease in prices, with 30-second ads now going for $125,000. It seems that without Trump’s star power, the debates are just a snooze fest.
REPORT: Fox Forced To Slash Advertising Rates For Second Debate Without Trumphttps://t.co/QJiWz1JION
— BRIAN FRASER (@bfraser747) September 27, 2023
It’s no surprise that Trump’s absence has affected the ratings. Recent surveys show him leading the pack with over 60 percent support among likely GOP primary voters. It’s clear that viewers want to see Trump in action, not squabbles between candidates who have no chance of winning.
While some may try to spin this as a positive, claiming that Fox has commitments from various corporations, the truth is that the network is losing ground. Other networks are even choosing to air President Trump’s speech to the United Auto Workers instead of the debate, a move that shows where the real interest lies.
President Biden, on the other hand, is struggling to retain the White House. His failure to stand with the union workers during their ongoing strike has left him with an unhappy crowd. And now, with Trump outmaneuvering him and speaking directly to the union workers, Biden’s chances in the swing states are looking grim.
As Fox prepares for the third GOP debate, it’s clear that they will continue to face challenges. President Trump has already promised to skip the debate, and it’s safe to say that without him, the ratings will suffer once again. Love him or hate him, Trump is ratings gold, and Fox will continue to feel the impact of his absence.
