As Fox News continues to dominate American cable television viewership, a growing number of advertisers — including corporations, advocacy groups, and foreign governments — are using the network as a conduit to reach one highly influential viewer: President Donald Trump.
According to Jeff Collins, president of ad sales at Fox Corporation, the network has experienced a sharp rise in advertising revenues, largely driven by demand from organizations seeking to influence the White House. “We’re seeing a lot of advertiser demand for that audience, whether it’s an audience of one or an audience of twelve,” Collins told the Financial Times. “There is a recognition that the president and many within his administration are regular viewers.”
Political and International Messaging
While political advertising typically declines after elections, Fox has seen a sustained increase, particularly from groups hoping to shape policy discussions. In one instance, JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon’s appearance on Fox Business drew Trump’s attention when Dimon warned that trade tariffs could trigger a recession. Trump referenced the interview multiple times and later announced a pause in tariffs — underscoring the influence Fox can have on policymaking.
In addition to domestic political advocacy, foreign governments have also turned to Fox to shape perceptions. The government of Ontario, for example, ran a prominent campaign branding itself as the U.S.’s “ally to the north” amid trade tensions with Canada.
Other major advertisers include:
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Department of Homeland Security
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American Edge Project (tech lobbying backed by Meta)
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Protect Our Jobs
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AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee)
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Coalition to Strengthen America’s Healthcare
Boom in Viewership and Ad Revenue
Fox News has been the most-watched TV network in the U.S. during primetime hours (8–11 PM), averaging over 3 million viewers, according to Nielsen. This performance has allowed the network to raise its ad rates, with Collins noting that the increase in available ad inventory is still being outpaced by demand.
Despite economic uncertainty and concerns about Trump’s tariffs, Fox reports no negative impact on advertising commitments during its “upfronts” — the annual process when advertisers lock in billions in spending. “All indications are that it’s going to be very strong for Fox properties,” said Collins.
Murdoch’s Strategy Pays Off
The strong performance of Fox’s news and sports properties, including the on-demand platform Tubi, validates Rupert Murdoch’s 2019 decision to divest most of his media empire, retaining only news and sports assets. Fox has seen a 26% increase in viewership across its portfolio, fueled by record-breaking events like the Super Bowl and growing audiences for MLB, NFL, and NASCAR.
Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch also noted a resurgence of “blue-chip” advertisers post-election. Over 200 brands — including Amazon, Netflix, and JPMorgan Chase — have advertised on Fox News in recent months. “Advertisers now understand that Fox viewers represent middle America,” Murdoch said, “and they are responding with their checkbooks.”
