Tucker Carlson is launching a new streaming dedicated to his brand of brash conservatism, one that is expected to rival the online efforts of Fox News and other major players in center-right news circles.
The Wall Street Journal reports that the new service, which launches Monday, is expected to cost $9 per month, or $72 per year, and offer content from Carlson and other reporters that builds on lengthy programs he has been freely releasing for months on X. Sources close to the project expect up to five shows to be ready by mid-week, a combination of interviews, short-form videos and monologues. Named the Tucker Carlson Network, the new outlet will have a red pill as its logo, a wink to conservatives who regularly use the “Matrix” reference to imply a greater understanding of truth over misinformation.
Like most online outlets, some programming on the Tucker Carlson Network will remain free and ad-supported while other interviews and monologues will be available exclusively to subscribers without ads. Carlson was taking sign-ups for the service at his own site, www.tuckercarlson.com, as of Monday morning.
The conservative news world was turned upside down in April following Carlson’s firing by Fox News, which reportedly came as part of a deal the network struck with Dominion Voting Systems to settle a court case related to defamation of its technology following the 2020 elections. After several months of fighting with the network or looking the other way while allies published damaging information about Fox, Carlson built his own studio and launched “Tucker on Twitter,” producing roughly 45-minute segments with guests ranging from President Trump to Ice Cube to Devon Archer. The venture proved wildly successful as demonstrated by his interview with Trump, which surpassed ratings of the first GOP presidential debate on Fox.
Elon Musk, who purchased Twitter and rebranded the company as X, has openly encouraged Carlson to take advantage of the new freedom of speech policies on the platform and bring his show directly to followers. However, advisors to Carlson say the company was not able to build out an advertising platform quickly enough, forcing the team to move ahead with its own outlet. Carlson will continue to offer free programming to his millions of X followers and in addition, is launching “The Tucker Carlson Podcast” which will provide audio clips of his network’s programming.
Sources added that Carlson is courting streaming services in a bid to eventually get the Tucker Carlson Network onto televisions around the world.
The launch is proving to be a smashing success for Carlson and his longtime friend Neil Patel, the new network’s chief executive and the brains behind the joint launch of The Daily Caller in 2010. Justin Wells, Carlson’s former executive producer at Fox, will serve as the network’s president and oversee all programming.
If the network takes off, it will also prove lucrative for 1789 Capital, a venture firm that led the endeavor’s $15 million fundraising round as part of its anti-woke portfolio of companies catering to conservative tastes.
Though Carlson remains under contract with Fox and continues to face threats of litigation for moving ahead on his own terms, he isn’t slowing down and is expected to be an influential voice during the 2024 elections, so much so that Melania Trump is pushing her husband to consider him for the vice presidential spot on his ticket.
Carlson will announce the launch of the network on Monday during an appearance on Megyn Kelly’s SiriusXM satellite radio program.
Source: https://trendingpoliticsnews.com/
