Blaze Media
Blaze Media is an American conservative[1][2] media company. It was founded in 2018 as a result of a merger between TheBlaze and CRTV LLC. The company's leadership consists of CEO Tyler Cardon and president Gaston Mooney.[1] It is based in Irving, Texas, where it has studios and offices, as well as in Washington, D.C.
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | United States |
| Headquarters | Irving, Texas |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Picture format | 1080i HDTV (downscaled to letterboxed 480i for the SDTV feed) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Blaze Media LLC |
| History | |
| Launched | December 3, 2018 |
| Links | |
| Webcast | blazetv |
| Website | theblaze |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | United States |
| Headquarters | Irving, Texas |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Picture format | 1080p |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Blaze Media |
| History | |
| Launched | July 8, 2020 |
| Links | |
| Webcast | eu-landing |
TheBlaze was a pay television network founded by Glenn Beck. Originally, it was called Glenn Beck TV, created after Beck's departure from Fox in 2011. In 2012, the network took the name of Beck's popular website, TheBlaze. From 2014 to 2017, the company had four different CEOs, followed by Beck himself. Months after Beck took the position, the company laid off over a fourth of its staff. CRTV LLC, which operated the Conservative Review and CRTV (Conservative Review Television), was an online subscription network.
History edit
On August 31, 2010, three days after his Restoring Honor rally at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., conservative political commentator Glenn Beck launched the TheBlaze website, describing it as an alternative to "mainstream media outlets".[3] TheBlaze headquarters are located in Irving, Texas, at the Mercury Studios (formerly the Studios at Las Colinas).[4][5]
Beck announced the creation of an online-only network replacing Insider Extreme as a result of his Fox News departure on June 7, 2011. On September 12, 2011, Beck launched GBTV (Glenn Beck TV) as an exclusive internet streaming network, produced and operated by Mercury Radio Arts. GBTV would air a television adaptation of his radio show, his television show, and other original programming, including Real News from TheBlaze, a nightly news program hosted by former CNN personality Amy Holmes.[6] On June 18, 2012, Mercury Radio Arts announced the consolidation of all of its outlets under the "TheBlaze" brand, thus renaming the internet television station from GBTV to TheBlaze.[7]
In 2012, Dish Network placed TheBlaze on its channel lineup. As a result of the "Get TheBlaze" campaign (a movement led by supporters to have other supporters call their cable or satellite television provider and ask them to carry the channel), several smaller, regional cable operators also have recently picked up TheBlaze—including Cablevision (also known as Optimum TV – Channel 828), a major cable provider in the New York metropolitan area.[8][9]
Betsy Morgan was named CEO of TheBlaze on December 9, 2014, replacing Chris Balfe, who had been CEO since the beginning. Morgan left the company in June 2015.[10] Chief Revenue Officer Kraig Kitchin replaced Morgan until he resigned in January 2016, taking the position of Interim Head of Sales and being replaced by Stewart Padveen, a digital startup entrepreneur, who resigned in February 2017. Beck took over as CEO of the company in May 2017.[11]
In November 2015, Beck sent an open letter to the Republican National Committee, requesting permission for TheBlaze to host a Republican presidential debate; this offer was not accepted.[12][13]
TheBlaze was dropped by Cablevision on August 31, 2016.[14] A year later, on August 31, 2017, TheBlaze laid off nearly 60 employees, which cut its personnel by almost 30%.[15]
On December 28, 2018, Verizon Fios removed TheBlaze from its lineup.[16] TheBlaze is available as Blaze Live on ad-supported streaming service Pluto TV with 24 hours a day programming.
Merger with CRTV edit
On December 3, 2018, TheBlaze Inc. television arm merged with CRTV LLC, combining resources, personalities, personnel, subscribers, and programming. The merged entity, named Blaze Media, retained TheBlaze's channel slot and incorporated two of CRTV's programs into the channel's schedule (Steve Deace Show and Wilkow!).[17][18]
Gavin McInnes, the co-founder of Vice Media and Vice magazine,[19][20] founder of the Proud Boys,[21] was expected to host his programs Get Off My Lawn and CRTV Tonight for the new company, whose co-president, Gaston Mooney, called McInnes "a comedian and provocateur, one of the many varied voices and viewpoints on Blaze Media platforms." Less than a week after the merger, however, it was announced that McInnes was no longer associated with Blaze Media, with no details given as to why.[22][23] Former contributor Michelle Malkin likewise followed McInnes out the door after CRTV's merger with TheBlaze in December 2018.[24]
Notable program hosts for television, and radio and podcasts edit
| Broadcast area | Worldwide via Internet streaming and smartphone apps |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Internet (iHeartRadio, TheBlaze apps, web) |
| Programming | |
| Format | Conservative libertarian talk radio |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Blaze Media LLC |
| History | |
First air date | September 5, 2012 |
| Technical information | |
| Class | Internet radio station |
| Links | |
| Website | www |
- Glenn Beck – host of Glenn TV and The Glenn Beck Radio Program
- Stu Burguiere – The Glenn Beck Radio Program (co-host/executive producer), Stu Does America (host)
- Steve Deace – host of the Steve Deace Show
- Kevin Freeman – host of Economic War Room
- Pat Gray – Pat Gray Unleashed (host), The Glenn Beck Radio Program (recurring regular and frequent fill-in host)
- Mark Levin – host of LevinTV
- Chad Prather – host of The Chad Prather Show
- Dave Rubin – host of The Rubin Report
- Allie Beth Stuckey – host of Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey
- Matt Kibbe – host of Kibbe on Liberty[25]
- Phil Robertson – host of In the Woods with Phil and Unashamed with Phil Robertson[26]
- Jason Whitlock – host of Fearless with Jason Whitlock
- Alex Stein - host of Prime Time with Alex Stein
- Dave Landau - host of Normal World.
Frequent guests edit
- Ben Shapiro – editor emeritus of The Daily Wire and host of the syndicated radio show The Ben Shapiro Show
- Daniel Lapin – Jewish Rabbi
- David Barton – Christian Zionist, evangelical political activist and author
- Ted Cruz – United States senator from Texas
- Jeremy Boreing – COO and co-founder of The Daily Wire
- Mike Lee – United States senator from Utah
- Bill O'Reilly – Former television host of The O'Reilly Factor on Fox News, and host of No Spin News
- Dennis Prager – founder of PragerU and political commentator
- Ben Sasse – United States senator from Nebraska
- John W. Whitehead – founder of the Rutherford Institute
- Howard Kohr – CEO of AIPAC
- John Hagee – televangelist and founder of Christians United for Israel
- Kirk Cameron – evangelical actor
- Chrissie Mayr - comedian and host of the Chrissie Mayr Podcast and Chrissie Mayr's Wet Spor
Former hosts and contributors edit
- Steven Crowder – Louder with Crowder (departed 2022)
- S. E. Cupp – Real News
- Laurie Dhue – Blaze news anchor
- Tomi Lahren – Tomi (2015–2017)
- Dana Loesch – Dana (2013–2017)
- Michelle Malkin – host of Michelle Malkin Investigates (departed 2018, show moved to Newsmax TV)
- Gavin McInnes – host of Get Off My Lawn (departed 2018)
- Jay Severin – The Jay Severin Show (2012–2016)
- Andrew Heaton – Something’s Off with Andrew Heaton (2018–2019)[27]
- Andrew W.K. – America W.K.
- Andrew Wilkow – Wilkow! (departed 2021, show moved to Salem News Channel)
Controversies edit
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez video edit
In July 2018, CRTV published a satirical video that featured footage of then-Democratic candidate in New York's 14th congressional district midterm election, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, from a previous interview with PBS.[28] The previous interview was edited to appear as if Ocasio-Cortez was giving nonsensical answers to questions read by CRTV commentator Allie Stuckey, a comedy routine more famously done by "Weird Al" Yankovic on his Al TV series. The video was accompanied by a caption reading "Allie *grills* congressional hopeful and progressive it girl 'Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez' on her socialist agenda and knowledge of government... or lack thereof."[29] Following outcry from various media outlets, the outlet updated the caption to indicate that the video was satirical and included a link to the original PBS interview.[28][30][29]
Jon Miller's Bong Joon-ho Oscars tweet edit
On February 9, 2020, White House Brief host Jon Miller posted a tweet in response to South Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho, director of Parasite, and his acceptance speech at the 92nd Academy Awards for Best Original Screenplay. Miller wrote: "A man named Bong Joon Ho wins #Oscar for best original screenplay over Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and 1917. Acceptance speech was: 'GREAT HONOR. THANK YOU.' Then he proceeds to give the rest of his speech in Korean. These people are the destruction of America."[31] The tweet immediately caused controversy, with numerous Twitter users and celebrities accusing Miller of racism and xenophobia. Miller clarified on his show that his tweet was not directed at Koreans, but rather those "woke" people in Hollywood who ignored social conventions.[32][33]
Host Steve Deace comments about Vice President Kamala Harris edit
On April 13, 2023 while discussing the potential for California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom entering the 2024 Presidential race, host Steve Deace's executive producer, Aaron McIntire, suggested that Gavin Newsom had a demographic problem: "if he does fizzle, is not because of look at California. It's because, hey, look at this straight white male."[34]
After agreeing with his EP's sentiment, Deace goes on to discuss how Newsom could elevate above Vice President Kamala Harris for the 2024 Democratic Presidential nomination. Deace said a Newsom nomination would have to be led by superdelegates because the Vice President, "a Black woman, [is] one of Montel Williams' hoes [who superdelegates can't sell] to the country."[34]
Additional outlets edit
Radio edit
TheBlaze Radio Network was launched on September 5, 2012 and is available for free online via the company's website, iOS and Android apps, and the iHeartRadio app. TheBlaze Radio Network is the only host airing conservative talk-show host Pat Gray.
Website edit
show screenshot Homepage screenshot on 14 May 2016 | |
Type of site | Online newspaper |
|---|---|
| Available in | English |
| Owner | Blaze Media LLC |
| Editor | Leon Wolf |
| URL | theblaze |
| Commercial | Yes |
| Launched | August 26, 2010 |
| Current status | Active |
TheBlaze website launched on August 26, 2010. According to Beck, the site took two months to design.[3] At launch, the site's chief editor was Scott Baker, with its associate editor-video producer Pam Key and with Jon Seidl and Meredith Jessup as reporters. Key is known for her blog, Naked Emperor News: Smoking Gun Video and Images. Baker is a former Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, broadcast journalist who previously worked at The Huffington Post and Breitbart TV. Seidl, of the Manhattan Institute, previously worked at The American Spectator. Jessup previously worked at Townhall. Journalists joining TheBlaze later included S. E. Cupp and David Harsanyi.
In January 2011, Betsy Morgan became president and Kraig Kitchin director of sales. Morgan had helmed The Huffington Post until 2009. Kitchin had formerly been the president of Premier Radio.[35]
In March 2011, the site was noted for its critique of James O'Keefe's NPR sting video.[36]
Magazine edit
TheBlaze (entitled Fusion prior to September 2012) was a monthly news magazine published by Mercury Radio Arts and TheBlaze in New York City and circulated throughout the United States. Its former title, Fusion, was taken from Beck's talk radio program's slogan, "The Fusion of Entertainment and Enlightenment." The editor-in-chief was Scott Baker.[37] The magazine was sixteen pages and was published monthly except for February and August. It was available digitally and in print.[38] The last edition of TheBlaze magazine was published in April 2015.
References edit
- ^ a b Hayes, Dade (December 3, 2018). "TheBlaze And CRTV Merge To Create Blaze Media, Uniting Glenn Beck With Fox News Host Mark Levin". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
- ^ Fields, Michelle (October 5, 2016). "Conservative News Darling Is Falling Apart, Staff Says". HuffPost. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ a b Barr, Andy (August 31, 2010). "Beck launches news site". Politico. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
- ^ DeLong, Matt (August 31, 2010). "Glenn Beck launches conservative news site The Blaze". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
- ^ Ember, Sydney (August 8, 2017). "Sinclair Deal Draws Unlikely Opponent: Conservative News Media". The New York Times. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
- ^ "Amy Holmes Joins Glenn Beck's GBTV Network As Anchor". The Huffington Post. August 9, 2011. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
- ^ Krakauer, Steve (June 18, 2012). "Glenn Beck drops his name from Web network, promises media 'revolution'". CNN. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
- ^ Morgenstern, Madeleine (March 28, 2013). . TheBlaze. Archived from the original on March 28, 2013. Retrieved March 28, 2013.
- ^ Adams, Becket (May 1, 2013). . TheBlaze. Archived from the original on May 3, 2013. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
- ^ Joyella, Mark (June 18, 2015). "Betsy Morgan, CEO of Glenn Beck's The Blaze, Steps Down". Adweek. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
- ^ Beck, Glenn (July 12, 2017). "Another really long day. Got in around six..." Retrieved October 28, 2020 – via Facebook.
I took over as the CEO of my entire company (all divisions) about 8 weeks ago because I wanted to change direction.
- ^ Haraldsson, Hrafnkell (November 3, 2015). "Glenn Beck Wants to Host a GOP Debate and Bill O'Reilly Hopes They Let Him". PoliticusUSA. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
- ^ "Republican Debate Schedule (2016 Primary Debates)". Central Election. October 14, 2014. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
- ^ "The world isn't ending". TheBlaze. August 16, 2016.
- ^ Grove, Lloyd (September 1, 2017). "After Mass Layoffs, Can Glenn Beck Still Save 'The Blaze'?". The Daily Beast. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
- ^ Concha, Joe (December 28, 2018). "BlazeTV dropped from Verizon Fios". The Hill. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
- ^ Darcy, Oliver (December 3, 2018). "Glenn Beck's TheBlaze and CRTV merge to create conservative media compa". CNN. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
- ^ Breuninger, Kevin (December 3, 2018). "Glenn Beck's The Blaze and Mark Levin's CRTV merge to form right-wing outlet Blaze Media, which could rival the new Fox News streaming service". CNBC. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
- ^ Pareene, Alex (January 23, 2008). . Gawker. Archived from the original on October 10, 2016. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
- ^ Pareene, Alex (November 19, 2007). . Gawker. Archived from the original on April 7, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
- ^ Sommer, Will (June 18, 2019). "Police Stop Far-Right Proud Boys From Reaching Anti-Trump Protest in Orlando". The Daily Beast. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
- ^ Bowden, John (December 8, 2018). "BlazeTV breaks off relationship with founder of the Proud Boys". The Hill. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
- ^ Stelloh, Tim (December 10, 2018). "'Proud Boys' founder Gavin McInnes out at Blaze Media". NBC News. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
- ^ Levine, Jon (December 10, 2018). "Blaze TV Hosts Michelle Malkin, Gavin McInnes Out After CRTV Merger". TheWrap. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
- ^ "Kibbe on Liberty". BlazeTV. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
- ^ "In the Woods with Phil". BlazeTV. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
- ^ . Archived from the original on May 3, 2019.
- ^ a b Rosenberg, Eli (July 24, 2018). "After a fake interview of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez went viral, its maker said it was satire". The Washington Post. from the original on December 16, 2018. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
- ^ a b Berger, Judson (July 26, 2018). "Conservative's satirical Ocasio-Cortez 'interview' triggers media uproar". Fox News. from the original on January 19, 2019. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
- ^ Robertson, Adi (July 24, 2018). "A million Facebook users watched a video that blurs the line between bad satire and 'fake news'". The Verge. from the original on January 19, 2019. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
- ^ Miller, Jon [@MillerStream] (February 9, 2020). (Tweet). Archived from the original on September 28, 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ Williams, Janice (February 10, 2020). "Conservative TV Host Criticizes Oscars For Awarding 'A Man Named Bong Joon Ho' Best Original Screenplay: 'These People Are The Destruction Of America'". Newsweek. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
- ^ Moore, Adrian (February 10, 2020). "Sunken TV Host Jon Miller Gets Dragged For Bigoted Oscar Comments". NewsOne. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
- ^ a b Media Matters Staff (April 13, 2023). "BlazeTV host Steve Deace calls Vice President Kamala Harris "one of Montel Williams' hoes"". Media Matters for America. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
- ^ Lang, Brent (January 5, 2011). . TheWrap. Archived from the original on January 8, 2011. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
- ^ "Analysts, NPR: Video edit of executive misleading". East Bay Times. Associated Press. March 14, 2011. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
- ^ . TheBlaze. Archived from the original on June 8, 2013. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
- ^ . TheBlaze. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
External links edit
- Official website
- TV
- Radio
- Mercury Radio Arts