Is There Room For Another Cable News Network?

Newsmax Media has announced their plans to launch a new, conservative - skewed news network next month with its first distributor, DirecTv.  And with a 20 mm subscriber base, expected to grow with its merger with AT&T, it's not a bad place to start.  It will instantly make them bigger then a lot of other stand alone cable networks.  That depends on where the network is positioned, assuming it is to the largest tier base.  " Newsmax also plans to launch an OTT channel later in the summer offering a live feed of the network as well as content from  Newsmax’s websites Newsmax.com, Newsmaxhealth.com, and Moneynews.com which draw close to 14 million unique monthly visitors."  Not a bad way to start and promote itself.  

But can Newsmax survive when others before it have not.  Fox News was very successful when it launched but it had powerful synergies with lots of other cable and print media to support them.  Current TV could not find an audience although it did get distribution.  It ended up selling its business to Al Jazeera to rebrand and compete.  But they too have had difficulty.  After spending a ton of money on anchors, staff, and content, they have squeezed shut the cash flow, layed off dozens of employees, and have done little new marketing to expand its viewership.  

Ratings continue to be a challenge to MSNBC and CNN while Fox News has done a modest business.  The broadcast news teams still get the biggest share and when the big stories appear, get the first look.  It is during election time when the news networks appear to get the biggest traction.  And all these linear networks must now compete with online alternatives, even in the video streaming space.  Is there room for one more cable news network, especially one with a conservative approach?  If you are willing to go after Fox News and have the dollars to invest, anything is possible, but success will be difficult.  

Newsmax also plans to launch an OTT channel later in the summer offering a live feed of the network as well as content from  Newsmax’s websites Newsmax.com, Newsmaxhealth.com, and Moneynews.com which draw close to 14 million unique monthly visitors. - See more at: http://www.multichannel.com/news/content/newsmax-launch-tv-network/374807#sthash.70GQJecB.dpuf