And Yet Still More Beck…

The New York Times’ Bill Carter and Brian Stelter write about Glenn Beck’s departure from FNC…

Notably, descriptions of Mr. Beck’s future plans drew derisive comments in some quarters of Fox News, where they argued that Mr. Beck needed the huge platform of his Fox show to build his media empire.

At times, Mr. Beck and his managers said they sensed that Fox was retaliating in public, although they did not prove it.

Last month, when Mr. Cheatwood was first said to be moving over to Mercury, his Fox salary was suddenly leaked to a reporter. That day, a staff member who had been working with Fox on Mr. Beck’s show was asked if he could imagine working at an institution that would leak a salary figure. The staff member replied, “Not only can I imagine it, we’ve done it for 27 months,” referring to the precise number of months Mr. Beck had been at Fox. “It’s not fun.”

Still More on Beck…

The Daily Beast’s Howard Kurtz adds more color to the Beck story…

Despite his monster ratings, Fox News is bidding farewell to Glenn Beck as tensions between the incendiary host and the top-rated cable news channel have led to a near-total divorce.

I say near-total because the two sides announced a deal today in which Beck’s production company will produce occasional content for Fox. But insiders say this will amount to a handful of specials and that many senior Fox executives are relieved to be rid of Beck, whose ratings have dropped 40 percent.

Beck, too, has tired of the friction with Fox and is said by people close to him to be happy to end the partnership.

Whatever the genesis, for Beck to give up his daily 5 p.m. program, which at its peak drew more than 2.5 million viewers, is a case study in how even the most successful broadcast personalities can become too hot to handle.

The Business Insider’s Glynnis MacNicol offers up more color…

One person who has worked with Ailes before told us that when Ailes says ” I look forward to continuing to work with him” what he really means is “don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”

They also relayed to us the rumor (entirely unconfirmed) that it was Wendy Murdoch who was most uncomfortable with Beck and pressured husband Rupert to make a move.

More on Beck…

The AP’s David Bauder writes about today’s Glenn Beck news…

Beck said that he went to Roger Ailes, Fox News chairman and CEO, in January to discuss ways they could continue to work together without the daily show.

“Half of the headlines say he’s been canceled,” Ailes said. “The other half say he quit. We’re pretty happy with both of them.”

Beck said he noted on his show Tuesday that “how many times can I tell the (George) Soros story,” referring the liberal donor that Beck has made a target of attacks.

“We felt Glenn brought additional information, a unique perspective, a certain amount of passion and insight to the channel and he did,” Ailes said. “But that story of what’s going on and why America is in trouble today, I think he told that story as well as could be told. Whether you can just keep telling that story or not … we’re not so sure.”

More than 400 Fox advertisers told the company they did not want their commercials on Beck’s show. Beck’s advertisers were dominated by financial services firms, many touting gold as an investment.

Ailes dismissed the financial impact of the boycott but expressed some frustration with it.

“Advertisers who get weak-kneed because some idiot on a blog site writes to them and says we need to stifle speech, I get a little frustrated by that,” he said.

Press Releases: 04/06/11

CNN (1)

CNN to Produce Republican Presidential Primary Debate in Nevada

The Western Republican Leadership Conference (WRLC) announced Wednesday that it has selected CNN to host a Republican presidential primary debate in Las Vegas on Tuesday, October 18, 2011. Nevada has been chosen by the Republican National Committee (RNC) to be one of the first states to vote in the Republican presidential primary process in 2012.

Republican leaders and activists from 16 states and territories that make up the RNC’s Western Region will meet at the The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas during the week of October 17 for the “Western Republican Leadership Conference.” The debate will take place as part of the WRLC’s four-day conference and will provide voters from across the nation an opportunity to hear Republican presidential candidates offer their visions for the future.

“Republicans in Western States will play an important role in determining the next Republican nominee for president,” said former Nevada Congressman Jon Porter, chairman of the Western Republican Leadership Conference. “On behalf of the Western Republican Leadership Conference, I am excited to be working with CNN on this important debate. I look forward to hosting our 2012 Presidential candidates, and showcasing their ideas on Western and national issues.”

Glenn Beck and FNC Part Ways…Sort Of

Business Insider’s Jay Yarrow has the release announcing that Glenn Beck’s TV show will end later this year but will be producing shows and content for FNC. It also announces Joel Cheatwood’s departure from FNC as Cheatwood joins Mercury Radio Arts, Beck’s production company. An oddity of Yarrow’s story is it references a story in The Blaze which has now been yanked…

FOX NEWS AND MERCURY RADIO ARTS ANNOUNCE NEW AGREEMENT
(New York, NY) Fox News and Mercury Radio Arts, Glenn Beck’s production company, are proud to announce that they will work together to develop and produce a variety of television projects for air on the Fox News Channel as well as content for other platforms including Fox News’ digital properties. Glenn intends to transition off of his daily program, the third highest rated in all of cable news, later this year.

Roger Ailes, Chairman and CEO of Fox News said, “Glenn Beck is a powerful communicator, a creative entrepreneur and a true success by anybody’s standards. I look forward to continuing to work with him. ”

Glenn Beck said: “I truly believe that America owes a lot to Roger Ailes and Fox News. I cannot repay Roger for the lessons I’ve learned and will continue to learn from him and I look forward to starting this new phase of our partnership.”

Joel Cheatwood, SVP/Development at Fox News, will be joining Mercury Radio Arts effective April 24, 2011. Part of his role as EVP will be to manage the partnership and serve as a liaison with the Fox News Channel.

Roger Ailes said: “Joel is a good friend and one of the most talented and creative executives in the business. Over the past four years I have consistently valued his input and advice and that will not stop as we work with him in his new role.”

“Glenn Beck” is consistently the third highest rated program on cable news.

Free for All: 04/06/11

What’s on your mind?

Nick Charles’ Terminal Cancer Battle…

CNN’s Wayne Drash profiles Nick Charles, CNN’s first sports anchor, as he battles terminal cancer…

On August 4, 2009, Charles was told he had incurable bladder cancer. He was given four to six months to live if he opted for no treatment. With treatment, he could expect about 20 months.

“I want the biggest guns you can fire at me,” he told the doctors.

He’s into his 21st month now. Each day, each hour, each breath is a gift.

He’s fought this hard for Giovanna and Cory, to build a foundation for them after he’s gone. He knows what it’s like to long for a father’s love. He only has a dozen or so memories of his own father.

“My little girl needs a good daddy more than anything right now,” he says. “This is a gift from God where I need to build these memories for her, so that I’m not a blur.”
Former CNN sports anchor Nick Charles shares breakfast with his daughter, Giovanna, who is 5.
Former CNN sports anchor Nick Charles shares breakfast with his daughter, Giovanna, who is 5.

The family has begun making preparations. They meet with a counselor regularly. When he was diagnosed, Charles told Giovanna he was sick — that his hair would fall out.

This time last year, she looked at him with her big brown eyes and asked: “Are you going to die?”

“Everybody will sometime,” he told her, “but we will always be together. But I’m not going anywhere today. I feel great. Now let’s go out and play.”