FOX News has announced a new media expansion that includes a licensing agreement with the Ruthless podcast which will be aligned with the division’s established suite of podcasts such as Will Cain Country. The announcement was made by Suzanne Scott, CEO of FOX News Media.
Porter Berry, who currently serves as the President and Editor-in-Chief of FOX News Digital, will now add New Media to his role, reporting to Ms. Scott and President & Executive Editor Jay Wallace while maintaining his responsibilities on Digital.
In announcing the expansion, Ms. Scott said: “The FOX News Media ecosystem we have built over the past seven years continues to thrive and set new records, and the Ruthless deal is a natural extension of our powerhouse brand as audiences reshape how they consume quality content. We have cultivated an unrivaled bench of successful personalities who are well-positioned to excel in today’s evolving media landscape, where podcasting offers the kind of deep engagement our platforms are known for. Porter is a talented executive whose leadership will enhance these new media ventures and creators, while further strengthening FOX News Digital.”
Since its launch as an alternative to progressive podcasts ahead of the 2020 presidential election, Ruthless’ irreverent variety of next generation conservative talk with a wry sense of humor has solidified it as the preeminent go-to podcast for political power players. Ruthless is co-hosted by public affairs and digital advocacy consulting firm Cavalry’s founding partners Josh Holmes, Michael Duncan and John Ashbrook as well as Shashank Tripathi, pseudonymously known as “Comfortably Smug.”
The Ruthless co-hosts added, “We are thrilled to take Ruthless to the next level through this strategic partnership. There is a growing appetite for authentic political and cultural conversations, and our podcast delivers with no-holds-barred, irreverent takes that deeply resonate with our dedicated audience.”
According to recent polling from National Research Inc, Ruthless is a top news source for men aged 18-45 for information about politics and government, highlighting the five-year-old podcast’s early success in the genre. Additionally, as part of the new licensing deal, Holmes, Duncan, Ashbrook, and “Comfortably Smug” will serve as FOX News contributors.