50 Facts About Newsmax

The Origins of Newsmax

Newsmax has grown into a significant player in the media landscape, especially among conservative audiences. Let's dive into its beginnings and early growth.

1. Founding: Newsmax was founded by Christopher Ruddy in 1998.
2. Initial Focus: The company initially focused on providing news and opinion content through its website.
3. Expansion: In 2014, Newsmax launched a cable television channel, expanding its reach to satellite subscribers through DirecTV and Dish Network.
4. Reach: By May 2019, Newsmax claimed to reach about 70 million households via cable television.
5. Average Audience: As of September 2023, the average audience for Newsmax was approximately 129,000 viewers.
6. Broadcasting in the UK: Newsmax began broadcasting in the UK in October 2023 via Freeview Connect.

Headquarters and Demographics

Understanding where Newsmax operates from and who its primary audience is can provide insight into its influence and reach.

7. Headquarters: The channel primarily broadcasts from Newsmax's New York studio on Manhattan's East Side, with two headquarters in Boca Raton, Florida, and Washington, D.C.
8. Target Audience: Newsmax primarily targets an older demographic, with the average age of its online readers being 54.7 years old.
9. Business Model: Newsmax's business model includes selling a variety of content such as political, health, and financial information, self-help books, and even vitamin supplements.
10. Revenue Growth: The company has witnessed significant revenue growth over the years, with revenues increasing from $25 million in 2009 to $36 million in 2010.

Editorial Policy and Controversies

Newsmax's editorial stance and the controversies it has faced are crucial to understanding its role in the media.

11. Editorial Policy: Newsmax has an editorial policy of being supportive of the president and his policies, which has been evident in its coverage of former President Donald Trump.
12. Donald Trump Support: After the 2020 presidential election, Newsmax published numerous conspiracy theories made by President Donald Trump and the Trump campaign about voter fraud, though the network later retracted these claims.
13. Lawsuits: In 2021, Newsmax was sued by Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic for promoting false claims that the companies had engaged in election fraud during the 2020 presidential election.
14. DirecTV Dispute: In January 2023, DirecTV dropped Newsmax from its lineup due to contract disputes. However, after a public backlash from House Republicans, DirecTV resumed broadcasting Newsmax on March 23, 2023.

Contributors and Content

Newsmax features a diverse range of contributors and offers a variety of content, making it a unique player in the media landscape.

15. Contributors: Newsmax features a diverse range of contributors including Nancy Brinker, George Will, Lanny Davis, Alan Dershowitz, Christopher W. Ruddy, David Limbaugh, Ben Stein, Susan Estrich, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, Michael Reagan, Dr. Mehmet Oz, and Dr. Michael Roizen.
16. Website Traffic: In November 2017, Newsmax.com and its affiliated sites drew 14.4 million unique visitors, leading comScore's News/Politics category over sites like The Huffington Post Politics and Fox News Politics.
17. Conservative Influence: The New York Times has described Newsmax as a "potent force in conservative politics," highlighting its influence within the Republican Party.
18. Republican Support: Newsmax's headquarters have become a must-stop for Republican candidates seeking the party's nomination, reflecting its significant influence within the party.

Growth and Financial Performance

Newsmax's financial performance and growth trajectory have been notable, despite facing several challenges.

19. Cable Channel Launch: Newsmax launched its cable television channel on June 16, 2014, reaching 35 million satellite subscribers initially.
20. Media Coverage: The Financial Times reported that the rise of Newsmax had defied media trends, noting that the Newsmax website was one of the strongest conservative voices online.
21. Financial Performance: Despite financial challenges, Newsmax has managed to maintain a competitive edge in the media landscape, with annual revenues projected to reach $50 million in 2010.
22. Content Diversity: Newsmax offers a diverse range of content including political commentary, health information, financial advice, and self-help books.
23. Marketing Strategy: The company's successful business model targets higher-income baby boomers, leveraging their interest in political and health-related content.
24. Competition with Fox News: Newsmax has positioned itself as a competitor to Fox News, hiring former Fox News hosts like Rob Schmitt, Greg Kelly, Bob Sellers, and Heather Childers.

Audience and Influence

Newsmax's audience composition and its influence within conservative circles are key aspects of its identity.

25. Alternative Media Outlets: Along with One America News (OAN), Newsmax has been seen as an alternative to Fox News, particularly among conservative Republicans.
26. Audience Composition: The audience for Newsmax is largely composed of older and White Americans, with a significant skew towards conservative Republicans.
27. Overlap with Fox News: Despite its efforts to compete with Fox News, a large majority of Newsmax viewers also consume news from Fox News, indicating some overlap between the two networks.
28. Pew Research Findings: A Pew Research Center survey found that while Fox News remains the dominant source of political news for both Republicans and Americans overall, Newsmax and OAN have a smaller but still significant audience among conservative Republicans.
29. Audience Size Comparison: The survey revealed that 43% of U.S. adults got political news from Fox News in the past week, compared to 10% for Newsmax and 7% for OAN.
30. Republican Audience: Among Republicans, Fox News is a much more common source of political news than either Newsmax or OAN, with 62% of Republicans and those who lean Republican getting news from Fox in the past week.

Financial Challenges and Legal Issues

Despite its growth, Newsmax has faced financial challenges and legal issues that have impacted its operations.

31. Conservative Skew: The audiences for both Newsmax and OAN are substantially more skewed towards conservatives compared to Fox News, which appeals more broadly across the ideological spectrum within the Republican Party.
32. Overlap Between Networks: There is significant overlap between those who turn to Newsmax and those who turn to OAN, with about four-in-ten Americans who said they got political news from Newsmax also getting news from OAN.
33. Cable News Audiences: In 2022, both prime-time and daytime cable news audiences increased for Fox News but decreased for CNN, MSNBC, and Newsmax.
34. Live Viewership Numbers: The average audience for Newsmax in 2022 was 129,218 viewers, with daytime news averaging 87,178 viewers.
35. Revenue Estimates: Estimates by Kagan, a media research group within S&P Global Market Intelligence, indicate that Newsmax's total revenue in 2022 was approximately $64.7 million.
36. Profit Decline: Newsmax saw a decline in total profit from 2021 to 2022, with a decrease of 23%.
37. Newsroom Spending: Newsmax's newsroom spending remained largely unchanged in 2022, unlike Fox News which increased its spending by 19%.
38. Financial Challenges: Despite financial challenges, Newsmax continues to operate, albeit with reduced profit margins compared to previous years.

Criticism and Public Apology

Newsmax's coverage of political events has led to criticism and legal action, impacting its reputation.

39. Media Criticism: Newsmax has faced criticism for promoting false claims about election fraud and conspiracy theories, leading to legal action from companies like Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic.
40. Public Apology: Following the retraction of voter fraud conspiracy allegations, Newsmax issued a public apology for any confusion caused by its previous statements.
41. Editorial Stance: The company's editorial stance on supporting the president and his policies has been a subject of controversy, particularly during the Trump administration.
42. Media Influence: Newsmax's influence extends beyond its viewership, with its headquarters becoming a must-stop for Republican candidates seeking the party's nomination.

Website Traffic and Contributor Diversity

Newsmax's website traffic and the diversity of its contributors highlight its reach and appeal.

43. Website Traffic Growth: Newsmax.com has consistently drawn high traffic, leading comScore's News/Politics category in monthly viewership for several years.
44. Contributor Diversity: The network features a diverse range of contributors, including well-known figures in politics and media.
45. Business Strategy: Newsmax's business strategy involves selling a variety of content, including political, health, and financial information, as well as self-help books and vitamin supplements.
46. Marketing Strategy: The company targets higher-income baby boomers, leveraging their interest in political and health-related content to drive revenue growth.

Global Ambitions and Media Trends

Newsmax's expansion into new markets and its defiance of media trends showcase its ambitions and unique position.

47. Cable Channel Launch Impact: The launch of Newsmax's cable channel in 2014 significantly expanded its reach, allowing it to tap into a broader audience.
48. UK Expansion: Newsmax's expansion into the UK market via Freeview Connect in October 2023 marks a significant step in its global ambitions.
49. Media Trend Defiance: The rise of Newsmax has defied media trends, with the Financial Times noting its unique position as one of the strongest conservative voices online.
50. Ongoing Challenges: Despite its growth and influence, Newsmax continues to face challenges related to financial performance and legal issues stemming from its coverage of political events.

Newsmax's Impact and Challenges

Newsmax has grown from a small online news outlet to a major player in conservative media. Founded by Christopher Ruddy in 1998, it now reaches millions through cable TV and online platforms. The network's support for Donald Trump and its role in spreading election fraud claims have made headlines, leading to lawsuits from Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic. Despite these controversies, Newsmax remains influential, especially among older, conservative audiences. Its expansion into the UK and ongoing competition with Fox News highlight its ambition. However, financial challenges and legal issues pose significant hurdles. Newsmax's blend of political commentary, health tips, and financial advice continues to attract a dedicated following. As it navigates these complexities, Newsmax's future will depend on balancing its editorial stance with the need for credibility and financial stability.