FOX News Media vs The Independent

FOX One Launches Interactive Election Coverage Features

FOX One, the streaming service from FOX, announced an interactive election experience for the upcoming midterms, developed in partnership with FOX News Media. Starting days before Election Day, with the full launch on November 3, the features aim to provide viewers with contextual information alongside live coverage. Key features include a Command Center with a live stream and real-time data widgets, an Election Hub with editorially curated video content, and 'Ask FOX' with an Elections Mode powered by 'ElectionAI', an in-house AI technology platform. A unified data layer built in-house integrates multiple election data sources, powering real-time updates across all experiences. The initiative seeks to reduce the need for viewers to toggle between a stream and a second screen, keeping reporting front and center while providing answers and context automatically.

• FOX One announced interactive election features in partnership with FOX News Media.
• The features will roll out before Election Day, with the full experience launching November 3.
• The Command Center provides a live stream with real-time widgets for polling and results.

Fox News Turns 30: Originals Reflect on Early Days

Fox News celebrated its 30th anniversary on October 7, 2026. The network remains a ratings leader, being the most-watched cable network in total viewers and the Adults 25-54 demo during primetime and total day for the last quarter. In an interview with TVNewser, two original employees, Meade Cooper (EVP of primetime programming) and Kim Rosenberg (EVP of news programming), shared their experiences from the network's launch in 1996. They discussed the evolution from videotape-based workflows to digital production, the growth into a multi-platform media company including Fox Nation and Fox Weather, and the company's culture of promoting from within. Both executives highlighted the opportunities for career growth and the supportive work environment.

• Fox News celebrated its 30th anniversary on October 7, 2026.
• Fox News was the most-watched cable network in total viewers and Adults 25-54 demo during primetime and total day in Q3 2026.
• Meade Cooper and Kim Rosenberg are original employees who have been with Fox News since 1996.

Maria Bartiromo Exits Fox News Media

Fox News Media has parted ways with veteran anchor Maria Bartiromo, effective immediately. The network provided no reason for her departure, which follows her last on-air appearance on August 9. Bartiromo, who spent 12.5 years at the network, hosted several programs including Mornings With Maria, Maria Bartiromo's Wall Street, and Sunday Morning Futures. Fox News Media will replace her shows with rotating anchors; Mornings With Maria becomes Mornings with Fox Business, the Friday show is renamed FBN's Wall Street with Cheryl Casone as interim host, and Sunday Morning Futures will be hosted by Jason Chaffetz this week. Bartiromo's career began at CNN in 1993 before joining CNBC in 1994, and she moved to Fox in January 2014.

• Fox News Media and Maria Bartiromo parted ways effective immediately.
• The network gave no reason for the departure.
• Bartiromo last appeared on air on Sunday, August 9.

MAGA influencers start crashing out online over Dem midterm sweep

The Independent's news page has been updated with the latest US midterm election results, including Democrats winning control of the Senate and House, and Trump's reaction to the losses.

Intent IQ Boosts The Independent's Revenue Nearly 30%

Intent IQ, a leader in identity resolution, announced results from its partnership with The Independent, a leading international digital news publisher. Using Intent IQ's Bid Enhancement solution, The Independent increased revenue by nearly 30%, CPMs by [unspecified] across ID-less inventory. This collaboration demonstrates the effectiveness of cookieless identity solutions in improving publisher monetization. The partnership highlights the growing importance of alternative identity solutions in a privacy-first advertising landscape. The results were announced on October 29, 2026.

• Intent IQ's Bid Enhancement solution helped The Independent increase revenue by nearly 30%.
• The partnership focuses on ID-less inventory, demonstrating the effectiveness of cookieless identity solutions.
• The announcement was made on October 29, 2026.

The Independent's social commerce revenue surpasses SEO

The Independent's social-commerce revenue surpassed its SEO-based revenue for the first time in September, indicating a shift toward social platforms and away from search traffic, which has declined partly due to AI. CEO Christian Broughton declared the old search-and-social model 'dead' and outlined four growth areas: AI, creator-led studio work, e-commerce, and membership, expected to contribute nearly half of 2026 revenue. The company reported £55.1 million in 2025 revenue, up 4%, with profit before tax rising 9% to £3.5 million. Broughton also highlighted AI productivity gains, including the 'Bulletin' news app with 12 million monthly users, the 'Eva' AI feature that reduced bounce rate, and a live news team six times more productive. Meanwhile, Meta's upcoming terms update on October 30 extends AI training scraping rights to all linked websites, criticized as a data grab that may override robots.txt and bypass licensing. In parallel, e-commerce platforms are navigating AI agent integration, with Amazon blocking third-party agents while Walmart and Target partner with OpenAI, and Zillow licensing data to Google for Gemini.

• The Independent's social-commerce revenue surpassed SEO-based revenue for the first time in September.
• CEO Christian Broughton declared the old search-and-social business model 'dead'.
• Meta will extend scraping rights to all websites linked on its platforms starting October 30.