Latest news with #CavalryLLC
Los Angeles Times
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Beat ‘em or buy ‘em. Fox News and others chase online audiences with podcaster deals
As legacy news brands turn to podcasters to court online audiences, another digital media upstart has been invited to sit at the grown-ups table. Fox News Media this week signed a licensing deal with the makers of 'Ruthless,' a popular conservative podcast, a move aimed at expanding the network's digital reach. The five-year-old podcast is co-hosted by public affairs and digital advocacy consulting firm Cavalry LLC's founding partners Josh Holmes, Michael Duncan and John Ashbrook, as well as Shashank Tripathi, a commentator known by the pseudonym 'Comfortably Smug.' It will operate under the Fox News Digital division led by Porter Berry. The co-hosts will also get exposure on the Fox News Channel. The move is another sign of traditional media outlets looking for ways to appeal to audiences who are no longer in the pay-TV universe. Faced with a slow but steady decline in audience levels due to competition from streaming, upstart digital operations are seen as a route to reach those consumers. Podcasts — particularly those hosted by comedians such as Joe Rogan and Andrew Schulz — proved influential in the 2024 presidential election as more traditional news outlets felt their relevance waning. 'Ruthless' has gained a large following among men aged 18 to 45, a group that is spending less time with traditional TV, where Fox News is the most-watched cable channel and often tops broadcast networks in prime time. The podcast is regarded as the conservative answer to 'Pod Save America,' the popular digital program led by four former Obama aides, which is produced by Los Angeles-based Crooked Media. Recent 'Ruthless' episodes covered anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles and Elon Musk's proposal for a new political party. Fox News Media has a stable of podcasts hosted by the network's on-air talent such as Will Cain. But 'Ruthless' is the first outside entity to join its digital platforms, and similar deals could follow. Fox News has a multiyear deal with 'Ruthless,' which will share in the revenue the podcast generates across the network's various platforms. The 'Ruthless' partners will retain editorial control over the podcast, although their right-leaning worldview is in keeping with other commentators on Fox News. They will also serve as Fox News contributors appearing on the TV network's programs. Others media giants have gotten into the more freewheeling online sphere by working with podcasters and YouTubers. ESPN reached into the digital media space when it picked up sports commentator Pat McAfee's program — a hit on YouTube — for its TV networks. McAfee retains control of the program, which is licensed by the Walt Disney Co. unit. Earlier this year, Fox News parent Fox Corp. acquired Red Seat Ventures, which provides ad sales, marketing and production support for digital content creators, many of them aimed at politically conservative audiences. There may be more such deals ahead. The Fox News announcement follows reports that David Ellison, whose company Skydance Media has a merger agreement with Paramount Global, has engaged in talks about acquiring The Free Press, a popular digital news site launched by former New York Times opinion writer Bari Weiss. The entity, which produces Weiss' current affairs podcast 'Honestly' and uses the independent newsletter publishing platform Substack, would operate separately from Paramount Global's CBS News division, according to one person familiar with the discussions who was not authorized to comment publicly.
Fox News
14-04-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Three Legs To The Stool
While President Trump's trade disputes remain ongoing, Republicans set the stage for one big, beautiful bill. The GOP continues to try to advance its agenda despite narrow majorities in the House and Senate, and the U.S. economy remains the focal point of this news cycle. The founding partner at Cavalry LLC and co-host of the Ruthless, Josh Holmes joins the podcast to discuss issues facing the country. Josh describes the three legs of the stool that contribute to President Trump's economic plan, including tariffs, taxes, and exemptions. President Trump's unpredictability remains on Josh's radar as it is unclear what his economic end goal and final policy will be. I Wish Someone Had Told Me: Josh answers what he thinks is the most significant problem area if America were in the emergency room. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
Fox News
07-02-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
'THE NEIL ARMSTRONG OF PODCASTING': Josh Holmes of the Ruthless Podcast Breaks Down Answering the First 'Nontraditional' WH Question
Josh Holmes, Founding Partner of Cavalry LLC and co-host of The Ruthless Podcast , joined The Guy Benson Show to discuss how Ruthless became the first 'non-traditional media' source to ask a question at a White House press briefing. Holmes and Guy then compared the previous administration's accountability and clarity in their press conferences to the remarkable accessibility of the current Trump White House. Holmes also weighed in on why Republicans must unite around their priorities as Trump's executive nominations move through confirmation, and you can listen to the full interview below! Listen to the full interview: Listen to the full podcast:
