Frontier Communications has become the latest pay TV operator to drop/lose carriage of far-right channel Newsmax TV. 

"Our contract with Newsmax TV expired and we made the business decision not to renew our agreement," Frontier said in a statement on its website. 

The telecom, which reported 306,000 remaining TV/video customers at the end of 2022, also said that it has stopped carrying Fuse Media channels Fuse and FM. 

Also read: The Future of the Internet-TV Bundle? Frontier Integrates YouTube TV Into a Single Unified Bill

“Since we began renewals last year, 99% of our operators have renewed, representing about 98% of our subscribers,” reads a Newsmax statement. “Frontier’s decision was clearly political, because they will lose far more money in cancellations and lost business without Newsmax.“ 

The channel’s comments jibe with rhetoric used in a much higher-profile two-month carriage dispute with DirecTV, which was just resolved two weeks ago. 

Just as DirecTV did last year, Norwalk, Connecticut-based Frontier, a publicly traded company listed on the Nasdaq, also recently dropped carriage of another far-right channel, One America News. 

In its dispute with DirecTV, Newsmax was able to tap into the outrage of House Republicans, many of whom called for investigations of the satellite TV company over alleged political bias and the “silencing of conservative voices.” 

Newsmax also flooded its on-air and digital news channels with negative DirecTV press.

Newsmax returned to DirecTV’s program guide, but without securing its core demand, sources familiar with the negotiation told Next TV. Newsmax, which had previously been carried by DirecTV under advertising revenue share terms, had been seeking a license fee of $1 per DirecTV subscriber per year.

Newsmax disputes this assertion, telling Next TV that its DirecTV deal is “consistent in terms of licensing fees with all other agreements we have secured over the past 15 months.”

In any event, given that Frontier's pay TV heft doesn’t come close to DirecTV's 13.1 million subscribers, don't expect this latest garden-variety carriage dispute to rise to a similar level of prominence and acrimony. 

DirecTV is getting more pressure — this time from a group of Senate Republicans — over its decision to drop the conservative Newsmax network after a carriage agreement expired.

DirecTV had said dropping Newsmax was a business decision, but Newsmax accused it of political discrimination and censorship. That’s something congressional Republicans have their antennas up for on multiple fronts, most prominently with social media platforms but also traditional TV.

DirecTV is free to drop channels for legitimate business reasons, just not to discriminate in channel carriage for other reasons, which would run afoul of Federal Communications Commission rules.

In response to the DirecTV move and Newsmax complaints, Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.), ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee; Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee; Mike Lee (R-Utah); and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) wrote the CEOs of DirecTV and parents AT&T and TPG Capital, voicing concerns and “demanding” answers.

Also: DirecTV Drops Bloomberg TV After More Than 25 Years

The legislators said the move looked like “the latest example of big business suppressing politically disfavored speech at the behest of liberal Democrats.”

DirecTV also dropped conservative channel One America News Network, which Cruz and company cited as another possible decision pressured by Democrats, who had called on it to drop OANN.

The senators want answers to a raft of questions — for example: “Why did DirecTV decide to drop Newsmax while it continued to carry and pay the liberal news and information channel Vice, which reportedly has much lower ratings than Newsmax?” — as well as any documents related to the dropping of both channels as well as “any communications they have had with the White House, Democrat members of Congress, or Democrat campaign committees relating to Newsmax or OANN.”

Since Republicans do not control the Senate or committee chairmanships and their investigative authority, the best they can do is ask for the info and hope. ■

Chris Ruddy, head of conservative cable news channel Newsmax TV, said he believes Democratic Federal Communications Commission nominees Jessica Rosenworcel and Gigi Sohn are fair-minded people of integrity who deserve confirmation.

Rosenworcel is acting chair and will be chair if confirmed. Sohn would be a new addition, the third Democratic commissioner on the five-member panel, which is currently tied at 2-2. As a former top adviser to Obama-era FCC chairman Tom Wheeler, Sohn backed access to distribution channels for independent programmers, something that clearly resonates with Newsmax.

Ruddy, CEO of Newsmax Media, said he had dealt with both nominees on policy issues, from which he had drawn those conclusions about fairness and integrity.

Rosenworcel has also signaled to Congress she will be taking a fresh look at the competitive marketplace and how much access independent programmers can get, through both traditional and over-the-top channels.

“Increasingly, independently operated cable news channels like Newsmax are being sidelined in favor of a small number of mega-corporations who dominate the channel lineups, forcing upon consumers expensive and little-watched networks,” Ruddy said. “It’s bad for the public interest and dangerous for democracy.

“While I don’t always agree with the nominees on many policy matters, Newsmax fully supports the commission’s mandate to promote diversity, localism, and competition in the marketplace,” Ruddy added. “Newsmax believes both nominees are committed to that mandate and I urge the Senate to confirm the nominations of Jessica Rosenworcel and Gigi Sohn.”

Sohn also got support from another conservative cable channel and another strange bedfellow for a progressive Democrat: One America News Network‘s Charles Herring. ■

Conservative cable news network Newsmax TV has added two former officials in the Trump campaign and White House to its lineup.

J. Hogan Gidley, who was deputy assistant to the president and principal deputy White House press secretary, and Jenna Ellis, who was a Trump attorney and senior legal adviser to the 2020 re-election campaign, will be on-air contributors.

Gidley's resume also includes communications director for former Republican Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, and GOP Sens. Elizabeth Dole and Rick Santorum.

Gidley will analyze political news, while Ellis will provide a "legal and faith-based" perspective on the 2022 and 2024 elections.

According to Newsmax, it is currently in over 100 million homes, delivered by all the major cable operators, as well as on a number of over-the-top platforms.

Newsmax TV founder Christopher Ruddy said that the House Energy & Commerce Committee Communications Subcommittee Democrats who sent a letter to distributors asking them to justify their carriage of Nexsmax were circulating their own disinformation about his network's coverage of the Jan. 6 Capitol Insurrection.

Also Read: House Dems Say Disinformation Is Spotlight, Not Cudgel

Earlier this week, Reps. Anna Eshoo and Jerry McNerney, both California Democrats, wrote to a dozen cable, satellite and streaming companies calling on them to better combat disinformation--which they principally identified as Fox, Newsmax and OANN--and asked them whether they were going to continue to carry those outlets and, if so, why? The letters came in advance of a hearing Wednesday (Feb. 24) in the House Energy & Commerce Committee entitled “Fanning the Flames: Disinformation and Extremism in the Media.”

Ruddy sent a letter to the bipartisan leadership of the subcommittee and full Energy & Commerce Committee alleging the Democrat disinformation campaign and asking it be included in the official hearing record.

In the letter, Ruddy said: "Newsmax never called the breach of the Capitol 'a sort of romantic idea.'

Instead, he said, the claim was made on the network by liberal law professor Thane Rosenbaum, who Ruddy said had been describing the rally "before any violence or illegal activity had taken place at the Capitol." Ruddy said the Democrats' letter asserting the contrary was "deliberately misleading and intended to contribute to a false narrative about Newsmax..."

He included some on-air quotes by Newsmax hosts during the attack, including:

“They are not supposed to be there, and we certainly don’t condone that…. Hopefully, some of these folks will end up getting arrested, and we will know who they are…. Going through a police barricade, or overrunning a police line, is also something that is … not to be encouraged."--Tom Basile, host of “America Right Now.

and

“And let’s be quite clear here: we condemn the violence, we condemn it. Alright? The people who did illegal things must be arrested.--Greg Kelly, host of Greg Kelly Reports.

But the hearing made clear that the Democrats' concerns went beyond day-of coverage by news outlets to  amplification of unsupported claims about election fraud by various media outlets.

In his letter, Ruddy said that "In general, Newsmax reported fairly and accurately on allegations and claims made by both sides during the recent election contest."

Conservative cable news network Newsmax TV has hired Rob Finnerty to anchor its new 2.5 hour morning show, "Wake up America."

The show airs weekdays from 6:30 a.m. - 9 a.m.

Also Read: Michell Malkin Joins Newsmax TV

Waking up to keep viewers up on the news is hardly a stretch for Finnerty. Before joining the network, he was morning anchor-reporter at WTSP-TV, the CBS affiliate in Tampa. He left the station back in November.

His resume also includes morning anchor duties at KBAK-KBFX Bakersfield, Calif., and KCTV Kansas City, as well as sports anchor-reporter at New England Cable News.

“Not only is Newsmax TV growing at an unbelievable pace, but with everything happening in our country politically, I don’t think there is a better place to be right now," said Finnerty.

Also Read: Herman Cain Joins Newsmax TV

Newsmax's growth is partly due to the shout-outs it got from President Trump as he grew disaffected with his coverage on Fox News, and made that known via his now-defunct twitter feed.

Newsmax Media has hired Brian Peterson, a longtime P.R. executive at Fox cable and regional sports networks and the NFL among other places, as senior VP of communications and marketing for the Newsmax TV parent, reporting to CEO Christopher Ruddy.

Ruddy said, in a release: “Brian is considered one of the smartest people in the industry and has a rock-solid track record to prove it. There’s no question Brian will help elevate the Newsmax brand to new heights and we’re thrilled he’s on board with us.”

Also Read: Indie Programmers Slam FCC Proposed Carriage Rule Change 

Peterson has worked at companies such as Fox Cable Networks, Fox Regional Sports Networks and NFL Properties. More recently he worked at the tech PR agency Bospar, at autonomous ocean-drone developer Ocean Aero and at geographic information systems technology firm Esri. At Newsmax, which is rising in visibility as a right-leaning news outlet, he will work with Ruddy on developing external and internal communications efforts as well as television marketing.

“Newsmax is uniquely positioned to deliver news that matters to its viewers,” Peterson said in the release. “Chris Ruddy has put together a team of top-tier media professionals and I am glad to be part of this exciting and game-changing channel as it continues its incredible growth.”

Walter Raps, formerly VP of engineering at CBS Sports, has joined Newsmax TV as SVP of broadcast operations and engineering. 

Raps was also chief technology officer for CBS Sports Network. 

At Newsmax TV he will oversee tech for cable and OTT platforms, which reach over 100 million homes according to the company. 

Elliot Jacobson calls Raps "a perfect fit" as the company continues to expand. Raps' resume includes VP of engineering at CSTV and senior manager and executive producer at Sony's StudioOne.

Surgeon Dr. David Samadi has joined Newsmax TV as lead medical contributor. Samadi is director of men’s health and urologic oncology at St. Francis Hospital, Roslyn, New York. 

He will comment on coronavirus news and other health issues.  

Samadi has been a medical commentator on Fox News, Newsmax and other outlets. 

Newsmax is now in 70 million homes, according the company, including on Comcast, DirecTV, Dish, Cox and Mediacom. 

Conservative commentator and syndicated columnist Michelle Malkin has joined Newsmax TV.

Malkin will contribute to prime time programming on the cable net and host a weekend news and analysis show.

“Michelle is a true conservative, a respected media personality and a powerful voice for of millions Americans that the big media ignore,” said Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy.

Newsmax boasts a 70-million cable home reach and carriage deals with major players.

Malkin's resume includes the Los Angeles Daily News, Seattle Times, and contributor on Fox News Channel, as well as author of a number of books including: “Open Borders, Inc.: Who’s Funding America’s Destruction?’’

A group of independent programmers has told the FCC it should be strengthening, not weakening, the program carriage rules and that its changes to the statute of limitations on complaints could foreclose some complaints and delay relief in others by years.  

That came in comments to the FCC from RIDE Television Network (“RIDE TV”), along with Newsmax TV, HDNet, LLC (AXS TV and HDNet Movies), KSE Outdoor Sportsman Group (Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel and World Fishing Network) and WeatherNation TV (collectively “Independent Programmers”). 

Back in March, the FCC voted unanimously to seek comment on some proposed changes to its program carriage rules. 

The item, which combined a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, sought comment on whether and how to modify the time limit requirements for filing program carriage complaints, specifically the statute of limitations for program carriage disputes and how the FCC's Administrative Law Judge reviews those disputes. 

The item proposed to hold that "in circumstances where a defendant multichannel video programming distributor has denied or failed to acknowledge a request for program carriage, the statute of limitations is triggered by that action, rather than notice of intent to file a complaint on that basis." It would do the same for the statute of limitations for "program access, open video system (OVS), and good-faith retransmission consent complaints." 

It also proposed to "harmonize" the process the FCC and ALJ use to review such complaints to help resolve those complaints faster. 

But the independent programmers argue the FCC is going in the wrong direction.  

"The daunting cost of program carriage litigation, coupled with the threat of retaliation and the lack of success of previous program carriage complaints, render the existing carriage rules toothless and more honored in the breach than in the observance," they said.  

Related: NCTA Backs Program Carriage, Access Rule Changes

But the FCC's proposed statute of limitation changes would make the rules even more ineffective and foreclose program carriage complaints in many cases, it says, and delay relief to programmers in others, making the rules "even more of a nullity." 

It told the FCC it should abandon its attempt to narrow the statute of limitations, and instead come up with rules for good faith programming negotiations that prevent most-favored-nation clauses and other "anti competitive tactics." 

Businessman and former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain has joined conservative news net Newsmax TV as a contributor and analyst.

Cain will weigh in on politics across a variety of Newsmax shows, which have been gaining traction over the past half year, according to the company, which says its cumulative audience is up over 200% in the past six months.

“Herman is an American original, a true success story,” said Newsmax Media CEO Chris Ruddy. “He’s a brilliant business leader and canny political observer who can navigate Capitol Hill blindfolded, and pulls no punches in his opinions.”

Ruddy says Cain's rise from poverty to business success and a run at the presidency will resonate with its "heartland audience."

Newsmax said it is now on "very major cable and satellite system"--including Directv, Dish, Comcast, Spectrum, Fios, Cox, and U-verse, reaching an audience of more than 100 million.

Cable news channel Newmax TV has tapped Sam Moser to be chief revenue officer and EVP, national sales.

Related: NewsMax Grabs Fox Distribution Exec

The news net predicts it will reach close to 80 million homes by next year, so there are a lot of eyeballs for Moser to sell.

“Sam has a stellar reputation for building, developing and directing highly successful sales teams for major cable networks -- both established and start-up,” said Christopher Ruddy, CEO of Newsmax Media.

Moser has been SVP national ad sales for Fox News Channel and Fox Business, where he oversaw the L.A., Dallas, Chicago, and Detroit offices.

His resume also includes MTV, Comedy Channel, Nickelodeon and the Game Show Network.

Newsmax TV said it has reached a carriage agreement with Altice US that will put the conservative news channel in front of the cable operator’s Optimum customers in the New York market initially, expanding to its mostly Midwestern Suddenlink subscribers within one year.

The network said it will be carried as part of Optimum’s expanded basic package in the New York metro area.

Newsmax TV says it is currently available in 65 million U.S. homes and is carried by all major Multichannel Video Programming Distributors (MVPDs), including DirecTV, Comcast/Xfinity, Spectrum/Charter, Verizon Fios, AT&T U-verse, Dish, Sling, TMO/Layer 3, plus more than two dozen other cable systems. The channel says it expects to reach as many as 80 million homes by the end of 2019.

“Altice USA is one of the most influential cable operators in the nation, and we’re proud they chose to make Newsmax part of their line-up,” Newsmax Media CEO Christopher Ruddy said in a press release.

"Newsmax is filling a growing demand for more independent perspectives on the news today, and we are pleased to add Altice USA to its growing list of distribution partners," added Cathy Rasenberger, President of Rasenberger Media, who handles Newsmax' distribution efforts in a press release.

Newsmax TV offers about 12 original hours of news and content each day and gives viewers the opportunity to engage in the shows via call-ins, Skype and social media video, and live chat feeds. The channel also provides practical health, finance, and lifestyle segments, as well as news documentaries during overnights and weekends.

Newsmax TV has signed a new carriage agreement with Dish Network, the two companies said Thursday (Nov. 30).

The deal, which puts the conservative-leaning cable news network on the satellite service’s America’s Top 120 tier, brings Newsmax’s national cable and satellite footprint to 50 million U.S. households, according to the network.

Related: Charter, Optimum Agree to Carry Regional News Networks

In addition to Dish, Newsmax TV is available on DirecTV, AT&T U-verse, Verizon FiOS and more than two dozen cable systems around the nation.

“Dish is one of the biggest satellite operators in the nation and we are proud to be carried on their system,” Newsmax Media CEO Christopher Ruddy said in a statement. “We believe Dish subscribers want more cable news choices, and we have demonstrated that Newsmax TV is bringing in new viewers who want more than the conventional news lineup.”

Conservative cable and online channel Newsmax TV has been picked up by AT&T's U-Verse video platform, as well as returning to AT&T's now-co-owned DirecTV as part of the latter’s news bundle.

That was effective as of today (June 30).

“With our launch on DIRECTV and U-verse, Newsmax TV has the opportunity to serve more viewers,” said Newsmax Media CEO Christopher Ruddy. “Newsmax TV has a unique audience of Americans seeking news they can’t get from other major networks.”

The channel features news and talk, including TV simulcasts of conservative radio hosts (Joe Walsh, Howie Carr and others).

A spokesman for Newsmax TV says the additions will make it available in nearly 40 million homes. He also said it was "indicative of the increased value of an independent conservative news service."

That comes as the White House attacks some mainstream news outlets they view as liberal tools in a Democratic campaign to delegitimize the President, but gives props to Fox News and credibility to undercover video effort Project Veritas.

Newsmax TV Tuesday continued to boost its cable footprint, inking carriage deals with Atlantic Broadband and Buckeye CableSystem.

The additional 250,000 combined subscribers from Atlantic Broadband and Buckeye puts the baby boomer-targeted news network in more than 40 million cable and satellite homes, said network officials.

“Atlantic Broadband and Buckeye CableSystem are important additions to the Newsmax TV distribution network, located in strategic regions of the country that will be especially receptive to our independent and comprehensive programming aimed at the Baby Boomer audience,” Newsmax Media CEO Christopher Ruddy said in a statement. “As we move forward and gain momentum, having important distribution partners like Atlantic Broadband and Buckeye CableSystem become particularly important.”

Newsmax TV has hired former CNN and TheBlaze TV executive Eric Pearce for the newly created position of network senior vice president of broadcast operations and strategy.

In his new position, Pearce will oversee all key operational aspects of the channel, including production, programming development, content acquisition, talent development, multi-platform distribution activities and budget management, said network officials.

Most recently Pearce served as senior vice president of television at TheBlaze and prior to that he was a producer at CNN where he was involved in the creation of four prime time news programs and produced 20 pilots.

“Eric Pearce has already proven himself to be an accomplished, can-do and creative executive who knows what it takes to present an audience-appealing news and information channel, and we’re looking forward to him enjoying even more success with Newsmax TV,” Newsmax Media CEO Christopher Ruddy said in a statement. “Our partners in distribution and advertising, as well as our growing audience, have told us they’re excited about what we’re building, and we know we’ll be able to accomplish so much more, and with greater speed, with Eric joining the team.”

Newsmax TV has signed its first international distribution agreement with the Caribbean Cable Cooperative, the network said.

Newmax TV, which is carried in more than 35 million cable/satellite homes, adds to that total more than 300,000 subscribers reaching millions of viewers in such countries as Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Trinidad and Tobago, and Netherland Antilles.

“The Caribbean is a lucrative market close to the U.S., with many Americans watching as they live or travel through the area,” Ruddy said. “The deal with the Caribbean Cable Cooperative represents a significant development in establishing the new service as a valuable information and lifestyle source for a large, diverse and global audience.”