Why Tucker Carlson’s Upcoming Show Will Shake Up the Media Industry

Tucker Carlson during 2022 FOX Nation Patriot Awards at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood in Hollywood, Fla., on Nov. 17, 2022. Jason Koerner/Getty Images

News analysis

Tucker Carlson is back.

The anchor, who parted ways with Fox News on April 24, announced on May 9 that he would bring his show, which was the most-watched in cable news, to Twitter.

Carlson posted a video on his Twitter account that, as of press time, has gotten 21 million views—far more than the numbers of viewers combined of Fox News’ prime-time lineup, which consistently dominates ratings. After all, between April 24 and May 5, an average of about 1.37 million total viewers, tuned in to Fox News’ 8 p.m. ET slot, which Carlson helmed for several years.

In the video, Carlson decried the news media for being misleading “in every story that matters every day of the week, every week of the year.

“The best you can hope for in the news business at this point is the freedom to tell the fullest truth that you can. But there are always limits. And you know that if you bump up against those limits often enough, you will be fired for it,” he said.

Carlson, apparently taking a shot at his former employer, said that his show is about combating left-wing media bias and standing up for freedom of speech.

Carlson explained that he is taking his talents to Twitter because it is “the last big” nonpartisan platform “remaining in the world” and “where our national conversation incubates and develops.”

However, lamented Carlson, the news media are acting as propaganda outlets as opposed to journalists whose job it is to unequivocally hold those in power accountable. This feeling, he said, is the impetus for the relaunch of his show, “Tucker Carlson Tonight” via the social media site whose logo is a bird, flipping it toward the idea of censorship.

Carlson’s mission, like Twitter CEO Elon Musk’s, is about free speech, said Nicholas Fondacaro, associate editor of the conservative media watchdog NewsBusters.

“Carlson seemed earnest in his announcement video that he believes Twitter is the last bastion of free speech, likely because Elon Musk has made it clear that ensuring free speech was his priority when purchasing the platform,” he told The Epoch Times. “Musk has, by most accounts, talked the talk and walked the walk.”

In a Twitter post, Musk said that Carlson would need to follow the same rules of Twitter that apply to all users. He also said that there was no agreement between Twitter and Carlson to do the show on the platform.

“On this platform, unlike the one-way street of broadcast, people are able to interact, critique and refute whatever is said,” said Musk. “And, of course, anything misleading will get @CommunityNotes.

“I also want to be clear that we have not signed a deal of any kind whatsoever. Tucker is subject to the same rules & rewards of all content creators,” he continued.

“Rewards means subscriptions and advertising revenue share (coming soon), which is a function of how many people subscribe and the advertising views associated with the content.

“I hope that many others, particularly from the left, also choose to be content creators on this platform.”

It would be monumental if Twitter were to join the ranks of video content production.

“If Twitter is now pivoting into generating its own in-house content, it’s a major shake-up in the industry,” said Fondacaro. “It’s an enticing proposition that this was one of the first major figures to broadcast their shows to Twitter and especially with the site’s massive, built-in user base.”

Moreover, if Carlson’s show is successful on Twitter, the social media platform could give cable news a run for its money.

“If it’s successful, it means you can bring in a huge audience without the infrastructure of huge cable operations,” Jon Nicosia, a media analyst who was an editor for Mediaite, told The Epoch Times. “I still think we have cable as we know today for the next five or so years. Remember, there has been YouTube channels that outpace all of CNN for years, but it hung around. We still need to see how Tucker and, more importantly Musk, monetize these viewers.”

Nicosia said that a subscription-based model for “super followers” would be viable for a Twitter show like Carlson’s. There are Twitter accounts where followers can subscribe for exclusive content and other perks.

In what appears to be a play at bringing both sides of the ideological spectrum to do video shows on Twitter, Musk suggested to Don Lemon, a former CNN anchor, that he launch his own show on Twitter.

“Have you considered doing your show on this platform?” said Musk in a May 10 reply to Lemon’s April 24 post announcing that CNN had fired him. “Maybe worth a try. Audience is much bigger.”

Whereas former Fox News stars, from Bill O'Reilly to Megyn Kelly, have not been able to replicate the success they had while on the most-watched cable news network, Carlson may buck that trend.

“It shows that for likely the first time, a Fox personality may be more successful outside Fox,” said Nicosia. “Although Tucker has been his own brand for years.”

Before Fox News, Carlson was on CNN and MSNBC. He also co-founded The Daily Caller, a right-wing news site.

However, Carlson’s show on Twitter could face a roadblock from his previous employer, noted Fondacaro.

“It’s still a gamble for Twitter,” he said. “In addition to this being a new venture, there’s also a possible looming legal fight between Carlson and Fox News that could bar or delay the new show from moving forward.”

The Epoch Times has reached out to Fox News for comment on Carlson’s upcoming show and whether it plans to take legal action against him, were he to proceed with the move on Twitter.