Fox News biz channel could launch this month

Advertising Age is reporting that the Fox News business channel could launch as early as this month, according to information it has received from sources.

Reporter Claire Atkinson wrote, “The channel, under the aegis of Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes, is likely to draw heavily on Fox News’ existing on-air talent because cable-industry recruiters say there’s been precious little activity on the hiring front and programming is likely to have the same provocative opinion format that characterizes many of Fox News Channel’s current business shows. However, News Corp. might draw on some of the print staff of the London Times, which is edited by Melbourne, Australia-born Robert Thomson, who is a former editor of the U.S. edition of the Financial Times.

“Fox News Channel’s managing editor of business news, Neil Cavuto, is likely to spearhead much of the news coverage. Just yesterday, Mr. Cavuto interviewed NBC Chairman Bob Wright on his show, “Your World,” and asked if CNBC would be merged with MSNBC or sold. Mr. Wright said the channels were in good shape and said the real focus is NBC’s prime time.

“Of course, Fox News Business has already had a few false starts. It’s been two years since Mr. Murdoch first floated the idea of launching a Fox News Channel spinoff. A report in The Wall Street Journal last June suggested that a deal was close with Time Warner and that the channel was slated for launch in the first half of 2006.”

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