News is supposed to be news. At least, that’s how it used to be. But we’ve all had to face the fact that today’s news has splintered into identity-based niches, liberal news, conservative news, and everything in between. If you’re on the Right, you expect your networks to bring clarity and conviction. What you don’t expect is one of them acting like a victim.
That’s exactly what Newsmax is doing with its lawsuit against Fox News. Instead of focusing on improving their programming, they’re complaining about schemes and trying to sue their way into relevance.
In its Florida filing, Newsmax accused Fox of an “exclusionary scheme” that blocks competition in right-leaning TV. Supposedly, this scheme harms consumers and suppresses competition.
Right-wing cable channel Newsmax is suing Fox News, alleging the network has illegally cornered the market on viewership among conservatives.
In a lawsuit filed in Florida on Wednesday, Newsmax attorneys argue Fox has “long engaged in an exclusionary scheme to increase and maintain its dominance in the market for U.S. right-leaning pay TV news, resulting in suppression of competition in that market that harms consumers, competition, and Newsmax.” – The Hill
Monopolizing conservative news? How does that even work? Viewers aren’t trapped. Nobody is forcing them to watch Fox. People pick up the remote and make their own choice. If Newsmax can’t win that battle, no courtroom is going to fix it.
By painting Fox as the big bully and themselves as the helpless target, Newsmax looks more like MSNBC than a serious competitor. Fox didn’t stumble into dominance. It built a brand, hired talent, and figured out how to hold an audience, even if much of that audience grumbles that Fox has lost its edge.
Newsmax should be asking why viewers aren’t choosing them more often. People aren’t avoiding Newsmax because of some “scheme.” They’re avoiding it because the product isn’t strong enough.
Lawsuits take years, drain resources, and reek of desperation. Meanwhile, audiences are cutting the cable cord at record speed. Fox is already adapting to new streaming platforms like Fox One. If Newsmax spends the next few years tied up in court, it’ll fall even further behind.
This lawsuit won’t topple Fox. The only thing it will do is remind viewers that Newsmax can’t seem to win on its own.
The path forward isn’t legal briefs, it’s better programming. Conservative viewers are hungry for alternatives, but Newsmax won’t win by whining. They’ll win by offering something fresh.
1. Hire Stronger Hosts
Newsmax still has Greta Van Susteren anchoring a primetime show. Greta is 71, for cripes’ sake. She belongs in the guest chair, not the anchor desk. Keep her around for commentary, sure—but don’t build prime shows around hosts who peaked decades ago. Newsmax needs energetic, sharp personalities who can carry the network forward.
I am so excited about moving to a new time slot – I feel like I am getting a new job; it is where I wanted to be for so long (both at Fox and @Newsmax) but never had the opportunity – it was never available pic.twitter.com/jyCeJSFHgj
— Greta Van Susteren (@greta) September 4, 2025
Really? Moving Greta Van Susterin into what Newsmax considers its prime news timeslot is not going to fix things over there. Goodness gracious.
2. Expand Beyond Cable
Newsmax already streams through Newsmax+, Newsmax2, and services like Hulu, Sling, and YouTube TV. They’ve even teamed with Truth+ for global reach. But that’s not enough. The apps feel clunky, and the content just mirrors cable. They need exclusive digital-first shows, a cleaner design, and a modern streaming experience that makes cord-cutters actually prefer Newsmax.
3. Offer Real Debate
Take a look at why The Five and Gutfeld! are so popular. They mix viewpoints and let the sparks fly. Greg Gutfeld and Tyrus bring sharp banter, Kat Timpf adds humor and irreverence, and even Harold Ford Jr. pushes back with a different perspective. It feels authentic, unscripted, and unpredictable.
That’s what Newsmax is missing. That and better lighting. Too many of their shows feel like monologues or recycled talking points. A panel format with fresh, sharp voices who can debate, disagree, and laugh in real time would make Newsmax stand out. Viewers are hungry for authenticity, not clones reading from the same script.
4. Don’t Be Fox’s Shadow
Newsmax will never get ahead by mimicking Fox. Too often, it looks like Fox’s cheaper cousin, and viewers can spot it. Instead of chasing the same guests, same graphics, and same tired formats, Newsmax should take risks. Build shows with fresh formats, highlight new conservative voices who aren’t overexposed, and lean into stories that matter to everyday Americans. Be bold where Fox plays it safe. That’s how you stand out, not blend in.
I mean, Newsmax has a former sportscaster in its early morning Wake Up America edition. Instead, why not give the stunning beauty Alex Kraemer, an accomplished sportscaster and Magna Cum Laude graduate of the University of Georgia, her own sports show?
On the surface, Fox sells itself as the conservative stronghold of cable news. But look closer, and the picture is more complicated. Paul Ryan, former Speaker of the House, sits on the Fox Corporation board of directors. Ryan represents the establishment GOP wing that grassroots conservatives long ago stopped trusting.
Critics also point to Fox’s corporate priorities. Like most media giants, Fox Corp has had business interests in China through its entertainment ventures, and Fox News has at times been cautious in its coverage of Beijing. Whether that’s protecting business or playing politics, it doesn’t look like the fearless conservatism their brand promises.
And then there’s the way Fox sometimes waters down its messaging to keep advertisers happy or appeal to broader audiences. Many conservatives see that as the network cowering to the Left instead of holding the line. That may be opinion, but it explains why so many viewers channel surf away from Fox and give outlets like Newsmax a chance.
That’s the real opportunity. Fox’s weaknesses are obvious. But instead of seizing that opening with fresh talent, bold shows, and stronger digital platforms, Newsmax is wasting time (and money) in a courtroom. You don’t beat Fox with lawsuits; you beat Fox by giving viewers something better.
Newsmax’s lawsuit is a mistake. It makes them look fragile, not fearless. Viewers don’t care about corporate whining. We care about results. If Newsmax wants to challenge Fox, it must do it where it matters: on screen, with content worth watching.
News may have splintered into identity camps, but one thing hasn’t changed. Audiences still reward strength, authenticity, and truth. Newsmax can be a real competitor, but not in a courtroom. The fight will be won in our living rooms.
Feature Image: Created in Canva Pro
Cameron says: In other words: Say something interesting.
Carol Marks says: LOL Cameron. And I worked all morning on my post. And you come along and say it precisely in one sentence. Thank you for reading and always taking the time to comment, friend.
Cameron says: My pleasure. I said that phrase years ago when a left wing broadcaster was complaining about Rush Limbaugh’s audience count and he felt entitled to the same level.
That being said, I think Writing Observer has a legitimate point about the lawsuit.
Hmm. I’m not interested enough to look at the basis for the lawsuit – but if it is like many others, NewsMax may have a correct position.
The big networks often use their ratings dominance to extort cable system operators – “if you carry them, you won’t be able to carry us.” In fact, that is what they (the alphabet networks) tried to use on Fox in the early days.
Carol Marks says: Oooh. I see. I wonder how Fox News fought back.
If they do that, it’s sh1tty.
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