Fox News is apparently trying to change with the times and in doing so they’ve created a new “Fox News Deck” that will lead the way in reporting breaking news. Shep explains below:
AP – Fox News Channel is eliminating one of Shepard Smith’s two daily newscasts and putting him in charge of a news team designed to quickly break in to other Fox shows when something big is happening.
Smith, the network’s top news anchor, signed a new multi-year contract, the network said Thursday. He will keep his 3 p.m. Eastern newscast while the 7 p.m. show is eliminated.
“We don’t have to wait ’til 7 anymore,” said Smith, named managing editor of the breaking news unit. “When it’s ready, we’ll put it on the air. When it’s breaking, I’m ready to do it.”
Fox News Chairman and CEO Roger Ailes described Smith’s new role as a quarterback able to call an audible when news is happening and get it on the air quickly. Except for Smith’s show and Bret Baier’s Washington report, Fox’s evening schedule is driven by opinionated, personality-driven programming.
Fox is building a new studio, calling it the “Fox News Deck,” for Smith to operate. The changes are likely to take place in October.
“This is the way news should be presented in today’s world with the equipment and the amount of technology that is available,” Ailes said. “We’re making a major investment in journalism here and it’s going to require journalists to be better.”
I know some of you probably dislike Shep Smith for his political views, but as a news anchor I think he’s one of the best. I’ve always liked him when he did straight news and I can see why Fox News values him so highly. He’s good at what he does.
As far as the primetime lineup, we’re still waiting to hear truth from rumor about Megyn Kelly and Sean Hannity. But it should be interesting.