Rupert Murdoch: CNBC's On-Air Talent Not 'All That Good'

Rupert Murdoch spoke last week with TheStreet.com. In the interview the media tycoon denied interest in the New York Times, dissed Twitter, and dug into CNBC.

Question: Are you annoyed you don't own CNBC?

Murdoch: No

Question: Why not?

Murdoch: Because we're going to enjoy the competition. We have to get wider distribution and that takes time. We are further ahead with Fox Business than we were at this stage with Fox News, and Fox News today is one of our very greatest and largest assets.

Question: Why don't you hire away all the CNBC on-air people?

Murdoch: We don't think they're all that good. There are some good ones, but that'll be up to [FNC/FBN chairman] Roger Ailes. We create or we discover previously undiscovered talent and make them into stars.

Comments

[mellene]

Rpuert Murdoch is again very wrong about those at CNBC. I'd rather watch cartoons than his business channel. If it's the weekend and I want to watch the financial news, I go to Bloomberg, but never FOX.

[wanda665]

i agree with mychagal

[TigerShoes]

His seeing in terms of revenue accrued from "talent"--which he admits is sometimes entirely manufactured--and hypnotic sensationalism is not only sad and immoral, but psychologically detrimental to the poor souls lapping up the sensationalist and heartless drivel he promotes. There is no reason why articulate thought and the stimulatory power of modern media shouldn't unite in somethng productive. This site, for example, is a positive use of all the tricks of Murdoch's trade.

[coco51]

Given the opportunity to roll back the clock, Rupe would not have hired Walter Cronkite or Edward R. Morrow.

[pfc1369]

No.

He's have a lineup of Father Coughlin, Gerald L.K. Smith, and Joe McCarthy.

And their numbers would be good...rea­l good...Yum­.

[pfc1369]

Citizen Murdock creates stars. How godlike.

[MillinMn]

This from a guy who keeps Beck, Hannity and O'Reilly on his payroll?

[oregonbird]

Rupe, your prom dress is SO much prettier than anybody else's.

And I got your station shut down at my bank. (They've installed one to keep their customers -- ie the people who stand in line for ten minutes to GIVE THEM MONEY from panicking. I assume.) My point that got it turned to CNN? (erg) A 'worst scenario' segment that featured runs on banks. While we were standing there like sheep, waiting for the downsized staff to get around to us.

[Polarcap]

yes, this does sound like a typical fruitcake lefty who cannot tolerate dissenting opinion.

[Voyagers]

"Dissenting opinion" is fine. Utter nonsense, however, is not.
If they'd just call it 'the fox comedy channel' I'd shut up.

[AgentMacGyver]

Typical Fox viewer who can't differentiate "dissenting opinion" from party-of-t­he-rich-du­ping-rubes propaganda,

[pfc1369]

You mean tolerating other opinions the way the talk-crazies and their guests now push the meme, day and night, that the President is the enemy of the USA, and is out to destroy us all?

That kind of tolerance?

[Ponderus]

Is this man an American citizen?

If not, why is allowed a disproportionate influence on American culture and politics.

We need to start re-enforcing monopoly laws.

[oregonbird]

The monopoly laws that he paid to have changed? Yeah, that'll do it. Right after we get gays full rights. Y'know. At the end of the day.

[Ponderus]

I can dream, can't I?

[1oldlady]

I wish that this over zelious media mogal would just go back to his home of orgin- auss land, and keep his political views and media sites there!

How much power is enough power? If he was a united states citizen-then he could speak. So go home and stay there.

[Polarcap]

He is a United States citizen. What's wrong with a political opinion that doesn't agree with yours? Do you not believe in freedom of speech? Do you not believe in starting a company and giving people the opportunity to work? Do you not welcome entrepreneurs in the US?

[pfc1369]

I'm all for "entrepren­eurs"....t­aking a flying leap!

I must sound so ungrateful.

After all, they do give people the opportunity to work.

How thoughtful of them.

[layman]

In this country, you can have a bigger mouth, if you have lots of cash. Freedom of speech is a big lie.

[WCwill]

You thought CNBC was bad? Fox Business is the absolute worst. I would never even consider following their business advice.

[Bobzmcishl]

CNBC and Fox Business=worse and worser.

[elr50]

If I walk into an establishment showing Fox News on its televisions, I inform the management I am leaving and will not be back, and I tell them why. I recently walked into Costco and all of the demonstrator televisions were tuned to Fox, I came home and immediate sent an e-mail to public relations. They sent an e-mail of apology and the next time I was there, the TVs were tuned to ESPN. I sent them an e-mail of thanks. Put your money where your mouths are, people!

[layman]

Defense contractors all have their Tv s tuned to Faux in their cafeteria and facilities.

[PDXTransplant]

He should know he hires the menta||y i||.

[miriamfl]

That's why their ratings are high.

[coco51]

I dare you to take your insult to the mentally ill community. My depression is cause by Rupert, Ailes and Fox viewers nothing else.

People who watch Fox are as much enablers as those that watch "reality tv" programs, they are the ones that Speidi and the rest. All trainwreck no talents.

[monstermash9]

Rational human beings with an IQ over 50:

Fox "News" on-air integrity 'not all that good.'

[katielady]

Anyone who hires on air non-talent like that morning crew, including Douchey and other talking non-talents like van sistern and hanamity, isn't one to judge..

we know what your political bent is

[garymc8]

Does rupert MURDEROCH GIVE AWAY FOX NEWS LIKE RUSH GIVES HIS SHOW AWAY? I guess the rhetoric at CNBC hasn't gotten anyone KILLED YET so they must not be very good?