Fox Information lands licensing cope with standard ‘Ruthless’ podcast

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FOX Information Media introduced Tuesday it has landed a licensing cope with the favored "Ruthless" podcast as a part of the corporate's enlargement into new media.

"The FOX Information Media ecosystem we've got constructed over the previous seven years continues to thrive and set new data, and the ‘Ruthless’ deal is a pure extension of our powerhouse model as audiences reshape how they eat high quality content material," FOX Information Media CEO Suzanne Scott mentioned in a press release Tuesday.

"Now we have cultivated an unmatched bench of profitable personalities who're well-positioned to excel in at this time’s evolving media panorama, the place podcasting affords the sort of deep engagement our platforms are identified for."

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FOX Information Media introduced it has reached a licensing cope with the favored the "Ruthless" podcast, hosted by Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan and John Ashbrook. (Fox Information Media)

Fox Information Digital President and Editor-in-Chief Porter Berry will probably be increasing his function to supervise the brand new media enterprise.

"Porter is a proficient government whose management will improve these new media ventures and creators, whereas additional strengthening FOX Information Digital," Scott mentioned.

"I'm honored to step into the New Media function and advance Suzanne’s daring imaginative and prescient throughout digital, social, and podcasting," Berry mentioned. "Because the creator economic system continues to evolve — a spirit that 'Ruthless' has championed from the beginning — we're increasing our attain to fulfill audiences wherever they interact with FOX Information Media content material, which stays in a league of its personal."

The "Ruthless" co-hosts mentioned in a joint assertion, "We're thrilled to take ‘Ruthless’ to the subsequent stage by way of this strategic partnership. There's a rising urge for food for genuine political and cultural conversations, and our podcast delivers with no-holds-barred, irreverent takes that deeply resonate with our devoted viewers."

"Ruthless" may be listened to on all podcast platforms and may be watched on YouTube. (Fox Information Media)

What started as a tiny audio podcast has develop into one of the crucial iconic conservative manufacturers within the digital age.

"Ruthless" was launched in October 2020 by Republican strategist Josh Holmes and the web character generally known as Comfortably Smug with the mission of bringing enjoyable to conservative politics. Liberals have been instantly incensed by its title as "Ruthless" made its debut simply days after the demise of Supreme Court docket Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

"We felt like there was an actual gap within the conservative media panorama for individuals who take pleasure in politics, however need to have enjoyable whereas doing it. They need to know what’s actually occurring, however might do with out the ideological lecture," Holmes instructed Fox Information Digital on the time of the launch.

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Michael Duncan and John Ashbrook, who labored alongside Holmes of their day jobs at their consulting agency Calvary, would later be part of "Ruthless" as co-hosts, rounding out the personalities on the "selection progrum."

"Ruthless" has since develop into a must-stop for GOP lawmakers, congressional candidates, and presidential hopefuls.

The hosts arrange store exterior Fiserv Discussion board in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the primary GOP presidential debate in August 2023 and the RNC conference in July 2024, offering NFL-style occasion protection. In October 2024, they have been later joined by future Vice President J.D. Vance for a particular fishing journey competitors.

"Ruthless" podcast co-hosts Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan and John Ashbrook at GOP debate festivities exterior Fiserv Discussion board in Milwaukee, Wisc., on Aug. 23, 2023. (Joseph A. Wulfsohn/Fox Information Digital)

Along with tackling the information of the day and hot-button discussions amongst Republicans, which the hosts usually seek advice from as giving the viewers their "greens," additionally they present loads of "sweet" whether or not it is within the type of animal information and debates over what is the largest animal they assume they'll kill with their naked fingers, their takedowns of the liberal media, or enjoying their signature video games.

These embrace "Dem or Journo," the place the hosts need to guess which of 4 social media posts was written by a Democratic operative versus members of the media, and "Veep or Veep," the Biden-era problem of deciphering whether or not a quote got here from then-Vice President Kamala Harris or the fictional Selina Meyer performed by Julia Louis-Dreyfus on HBO's "Veep."

Maybe probably the most high-stakes recreation is their weekly "King of the Hill," the place two hosts compete over which "By no means Trump" pundit of their selecting has probably the most wild sizzling takes posted on social media previously week.

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They've additionally taken enjoyable to X with their annual NCAA-style Liberal Hack Event (or #HackMadness). "Ruthless" listeners fill out brackets of 64 liberal media figures and vote in polls carried out by Smug on who they assume is the most important hack.

The "Ruthless" co-hosts have sought to bridge the divide amongst conservatives between the extra conventional, institution Republicans and the MAGA base. Holmes, Duncan and Ashbrook are all veteran staffers of outgoing Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., whereas Smug cultivated his following on the web proper.

Josh Holmes, John Ashbrook and Michael Duncan, seen right here in 2015, established themselves in Washington D.C. as prime staffers for Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. (Invoice Clark/CQ Roll Name)

However maybe on the middle of the podcast's rising viewers is the belief the co-hosts have earned from their listeners. Holmes, Smug, Duncan and Ashbrook aren't afraid to debate laborious truths for conservatives through the years, from tackling Trump's defeat within the 2020 election to the underwhelming 2022 midterm outcomes for Republicans. In addition they present perception from their expertise on Capitol Hill to clarify the complexities of laws, most just lately the passing of the One Huge Stunning Invoice.

Politico dubbed "Ruthless" stars the "dangerous boys of conservative speak" with many retailers declaring the podcast the appropriate's reply to "Pod Save America," the influential left-wing podcast hosted by former Obama aides and speechwriters also known as "Obama Bros."

A current ballot carried out by Nationwide Analysis, Inc. discovered that "Ruthless" is a prime information supply amongst males ages 18-45.

The affect of "Ruthless" reached all the way in which to the White Home as Ashbrook was among the many first to take a seat within the "new media" seat established by the Trump administration for the White Home press briefing, which wasn't to the elite media's liking.

"I've interacted with loads of these identical reporters as a press secretary again within the day. So, after I walked into the room, I noticed loads of eye rolls and loads of smirks and that's precisely what I hoped for," Ashbrook instructed Fox Information' Will Cain in January.

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"Ruthless" podcast co-host John Ashbrook requested the primary query as a member of the "new media" on the White Home press briefing on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. (Screenshot/White Home)

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Smug indicators off each podcast by telling listeners," "Preserve the religion, maintain the road, and personal the libs… Keep ruthless."

New episodes of "Ruthless" are launched each Tuesday and Thursday on all podcast platforms and YouTube.

Joseph A. Wulfsohn is a media reporter for Fox Information Digital. Story ideas may be despatched to joseph.wulfsohn@fox.com and on Twitter: @JosephWulfsohn.