Could Fox-style broadcaster offer the satire the right-wing want?

Rupert Murdoch’s new UK news channel will have a nightly topical comedy programme.

The broadcasting tycoon’s NewsUK has posted an advert for an experienced producer to run and write for the show on the  as-yet-unnamed channel.

News of the project follows debate over the perceived bias on BBC topical shows, such as The Mash Report and Have I Got News For You, which the right-wing fears are too skewed towards the left.

 Reports have likened Murdoch’s new venture to his polarising  Fox News outlet in America. But the UK channel would be subject to  Ofcom regulations requiring due impartiality. That rule would not prohibit highly opinionated hosts and contributors, but their views could not go unchallenged.

The job advert seeks an experienced series producer ‘to help lead a new daily factual entertainment studio show with multiple moving parts’.

Whoever takes the position will be  responsible for script writing, ‘and preferably will use your background in comedy writing to create engaging content.

‘You will be responsible for swiftly structuring the content and narrative arc of a show, supervising shoots and directing crew and possessing confidence producing high profile talent’.

And the post requires a knowledge of broadcasting rules and laws, including Ofcom's.

The new channel will only broadcast during peak evening hours, rather than try to compete with BBC or Sky News’ expensive 24-hour operations.

In 2007, Fox News launched its own satirical show in response to the predominance of liberal comedy programmes such as The Daily Show. The 1/2 Hour News Hour, which proudly boasted of being ‘satire that tilts right’, was poorly reviewed and canned after 17 episodes.

Published: 10 Sep 2020