Newsmax TV
Newsmax TV is an American conservative news and opinion television network owned by Newsmax.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Newsmax TV, also commonly called Newsmax, is an American television news and opinion network owned by Newsmax. Its programming combines live news coverage, political commentary, interviews, documentaries, films, and repeated broadcasts of daily and weekend programs. The network is generally characterized by outside observers as conservative, pro-Donald Trump, right-wing, or, in some descriptions, far-right. Its schedule is built primarily around political talk shows rather than around the continuous straight-news format associated with some larger cable news networks. The channel was created by journalist and Newsmax chief executive Christopher Ruddy. Newsmax announced its national television initiative in May 2014, presenting the service as a competitor to CNN, Fox News, and other American news channels. Newsmax TV began broadcasting on June 16, 2014, with distribution through DirecTV and Dish Network reaching approximately 35 million satellite subscribers at launch. Ruddy initially described the project as an independent and less confrontational alternative to Fox News, emphasizing an intended audience of older viewers and a more information-oriented style. The network nevertheless developed a strongly conservative identity as its political programming expanded. Newsmax TV initially relied substantially on documentary programming and a relatively limited schedule of original live shows. Over time, it added more hosted opinion programs and recruited personalities with experience at Fox News, local television stations, radio, conservative advocacy organizations, and political media. Its lineup has included Greg Kelly, Rob Schmitt, Sean Spicer, Grant Stinchfield, Steve Bannon, Bill O'Reilly, Heather Childers, Mike Huckabee, and other presenters. Some programs were shared with radio or other television outlets, while others were developed specifically for Newsmax's cable and streaming audiences. The network became especially prominent during the 2020 United States presidential election. After Fox News called Arizona for Joe Biden, then-President Donald Trump publicly promoted Newsmax as an alternative. Newsmax benefited from viewers who believed Fox News had become insufficiently supportive of Trump, and its recruitment of former Fox personalities reinforced that positioning. Following Biden's victory, the channel gave extensive attention to claims of election irregularities and assertions that the race had been called prematurely. Newsmax's executives defended the coverage as presenting competing viewpoints, while critics characterized portions of it as election denialism and the repetition of unsupported voter-fraud allegations. The election period produced a sharp increase in the network's audience. Nielsen figures cited in contemporary coverage showed substantially higher viewership in the weeks following the election, with some Newsmax programs reaching hundreds of thousands of viewers and occasionally competing favorably with particular Fox News programs in selected demographic measurements. The channel remained smaller than Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC in the overall cable-news market, but its political influence and digital reach increased. Distribution has been central to Newsmax TV's business strategy. The channel expanded through cable, satellite, websites, mobile applications, connected-TV services, and free advertising-supported streaming platforms including Roku, YouTube, Pluto TV, Xumo, and Samsung TV Plus. In the early 2020s, Newsmax sought to change its carriage model from paying distributors to carry the channel toward receiving retransmission-consent fees from providers. That strategy contributed to disputes with some distributors, including Breezeline and DirecTV. DirecTV and U-verse removed Newsmax TV in January 2023 after a carriage agreement expired, before the parties reached a new agreement in March of that year. Under the new distribution arrangements, Newsmax ended the broadly available free online simulcast of its main channel on November 1, 2023. It replaced that service on free ad-supported platforms with Newsmax2, a secondary service carrying news rundowns, selected clips, and some simulcasts. Newsmax+ was introduced as a paid subscription service providing access to the traditional Newsmax TV feed, while authenticated customers of participating paid television providers could continue to access the main channel. Newsmax TV therefore operates as both a traditional U.S. television network and part of a broader Newsmax digital and subscription-media ecosystem.
History
Newsmax TV emerged from Newsmax's expansion beyond digital publishing and political news into national television. In May 2014, Newsmax announced that it had reached a distribution arrangement with DirecTV and planned to launch a channel designed to compete with established U.S. cable news networks. The network began broadcasting on June 16, 2014, also receiving launch distribution through Dish Network. Founder Christopher Ruddy presented the service as an independent, relatively measured alternative to Fox News, describing an intended audience of older viewers and emphasizing information and news rather than overtly aggressive political confrontation. The early service combined news and political talk with documentaries and films, particularly during weekends and overnight periods. Its programming strategy gradually shifted toward a larger number of hosted opinion programs. Newsmax recruited presenters from national cable news, local television, radio, conservative political media, and government-related communications roles. Former Fox News figures such as Greg Kelly, Rob Schmitt, Bob Sellers, and Heather Childers became associated with the channel, while other notable presenters included Sean Spicer, Grant Stinchfield, and Bill O'Reilly. The network also carried radio simulcasts and programs shared with other media outlets. One early programming controversy involved Dennis Michael Lynch: Unfiltered. The program premiered in January 2016. During an August 10, 2016, broadcast, Lynch announced that he would leave Newsmax and criticized the network's handling of coverage of Donald Trump's presidential campaign, including what he described as limits on his editorial control. The program ended during its opening segment, after which Lynch was escorted from the New York studio. A simulcast of The Howie Carr Show subsequently occupied the time slot. Newsmax's political profile became much more consequential during the 2020 presidential election. Donald Trump increasingly promoted Newsmax as an alternative to Fox News after Fox became the first major television outlet to project Joe Biden as the winner in Arizona. Newsmax used its conservative identity and its former Fox personnel to appeal to viewers dissatisfied with Fox's election coverage. After Biden was declared the winner, Newsmax aired extensive discussion of allegations of voter fraud, election irregularities, and the possibility that the race had been called too early. Critics argued that this coverage helped circulate election misinformation; Newsmax's chief executive defended the network as presenting multiple perspectives and questioning what he regarded as premature conclusions. The election period generated a substantial audience increase. Contemporary Nielsen measurements cited by media reporting indicated that Newsmax's average audience rose sharply after Election Day, while some individual programs briefly competed with or exceeded particular Fox News programs in selected measurements. The channel remained behind Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC in the broader cable-news rankings, but the episode established Newsmax as a significant conservative television competitor and accelerated its streaming ambitions. From 2020 onward, the network expanded its presence on free digital and connected-TV services. Its feed became available through platforms such as Roku, YouTube, Pluto TV, Xumo, Samsung TV Plus, websites, mobile devices, and other streaming interfaces. This strategy allowed Newsmax to broaden its audience without relying entirely on conventional cable carriage and helped it market itself as a free alternative to subscription-based news channels. At the same time, Newsmax pursued a new economic model for traditional distribution. Rather than paying distributors to carry the channel, it sought retransmission-consent payments from cable and satellite operators. The change led some providers to drop Newsmax, including Breezeline in January 2022. A more visible dispute followed with DirecTV and U-verse: after their carriage agreement expired, those services removed Newsmax TV on January 25, 2023, and substituted another conservative network on at least some services. Conservative lawmakers criticized the removal as censorship, while DirecTV and Newsmax framed the issue as a commercial carriage negotiation. The sides reached a new agreement on March 22, 2023. The renewed distribution arrangement required Newsmax to reduce or end free access to the traditional live channel. On November 1, 2023, Newsmax discontinued its widely available free online simulcast, while retaining limited exceptions and paid-provider access. Newsmax2 replaced the principal free-streaming feed on free ad-supported television platforms, offering headline segments, selected clips, and some simulcasts. Newsmax also launched Newsmax+ as a paid monthly service carrying the conventional channel feed. The result was a two-tier distribution structure: the main Newsmax TV service for participating paid television providers and subscribers, and a lower-cost or free digital ecosystem centered on Newsmax2. Newsmax has also faced major legal consequences from its post-election coverage. Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic brought defamation claims concerning allegations that voting technology had been involved in manipulating the 2020 election. Newsmax agreed to settlements reported at approximately $67 million with Dominion and $40 million with Smartmatic. These cases became part of the wider legal and journalistic reckoning over false election claims broadcast by conservative media after the 2020 election. Today, Newsmax TV remains an active American political-news brand. It operates within the wider Newsmax media group, combining a traditional television network with free ad-supported clips, secondary streaming channels, subscription access, websites, and mobile distribution. Its central editorial and commercial proposition is a conservative alternative to larger cable news organizations, supported by opinion programming, political personalities, election coverage, and direct-to-consumer distribution.
- 2023
DirecTV carriage dispute is resolved
[1]DirecTV and Newsmax reached a new carriage agreement on March 22 after the channel had been removed from DirecTV and U-verse services.
- 2023
Newsmax2 and Newsmax+ launch
[1]Newsmax ended the free simulcast of its main feed and shifted free streaming toward Newsmax2 while introducing the paid Newsmax+ service.
- 2022
Providers begin challenging Newsmax's carriage strategy
[1]Some providers dropped the channel as Newsmax sought retransmission-consent payments instead of paying for distribution.
- 2020
Newsmax expands its evening lineup
[1]The network added or promoted several high-profile political programs, including Spicer & Co. and Greg Kelly's evening show.
- 2020
Newsmax becomes a prominent Trump-aligned alternative
[1]Donald Trump's criticism of Fox News and promotion of Newsmax helped increase the channel's visibility during and after the presidential election.
- 2016
Dennis Michael Lynch: Unfiltered debuts
[1]The program premiered in January and ended after a dispute involving Lynch's departure from the network in August.
- 2014
Newsmax announces national television service
[1]Newsmax announced plans for a national news channel intended to compete with established U.S. cable news networks.
- 2014
Newsmax TV begins broadcasting
[1]The channel launched on June 16 with distribution through DirecTV and Dish Network.
Products and positioning
A conservative American news and political-opinion network positioned as an alternative to larger cable news channels, particularly Fox News. Its public identity emphasizes conservative viewpoints, pro-Trump coverage, political talk, interviews, and multiplatform distribution.
Cable news and political opinion network · 2014
Newsmax TV
The principal Newsmax television service is an American news and political-opinion channel. Its schedule includes live news, political talk, interviews, commentary, documentaries, films, and repeated broadcasts. The channel is distributed through participating cable and satellite providers and through authenticated access for eligible television subscribers.
Free ad-supported streaming channel · 2023
Newsmax2
Newsmax2 is the successor to the broadly available free simulcast of the main Newsmax TV feed. It provides headline rundowns, shorter selected clips, recorded highlights, and some simulcasts of Newsmax programming through free ad-supported television platforms.
Paid streaming subscription · 2023
Newsmax+
Newsmax+ is a paid monthly streaming service introduced after the main Newsmax TV feed became less broadly available for free online. It provides subscription access to the traditional Newsmax channel feed alongside the network's broader digital offerings.
Controversies
2021
Newsmax settles Eric Coomer defamation lawsuit
Eric Coomer, an executive at Dominion Voting Systems, reached a settlement with Newsmax in his defamation lawsuit against the media organization. The settlement terms were not disclosed. The dispute concerned Coomer's defamation claim against Newsmax, and the resolution was reported without public disclosure of the agreement's conditions.
2021
Dominion files lawsuits against Newsmax and One America News
Dominion Voting Systems filed lawsuits against Newsmax and One America News, alleging that the channels aided the spread of baseless conspiracy theories about its role in the 2020 election.
2020
Christopher Krebs sues Newsmax over alleged defamation
Christopher Krebs filed a lawsuit against Newsmax, the Trump campaign, and Joseph diGenova, accusing them of conspiring to defame him over his statement that the 2020 election was secure from foreign interference. Newsmax said the claims in the suit were a threat to free speech and denied that diGenova had official ties to the outlet.
Election-fraud defamation litigation
Newsmax faced defamation litigation from Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic over allegations broadcast or repeated after the 2020 election that voting technology had been used to manipulate the result. The company agreed to settlements reported at approximately $67 million with Dominion and $40 million with Smartmatic.
Marketing campaigns
- 2020Alternative to Fox News positioning
United States
During and after the 2020 presidential election, Newsmax presented itself as a more reliably conservative and Trump-aligned alternative for viewers dissatisfied with Fox News coverage.
Outcome. The positioning contributed to a substantial short-term increase in viewership and raised the network's profile among conservative television audiences.
- 2020Free streaming expansion
United States · Digital and connected-TV platforms
Newsmax pursued broad free distribution through platforms including Roku, YouTube, Pluto TV, Xumo, Samsung TV Plus, websites, and mobile services.
Outcome. The strategy expanded the brand's digital availability and supported its effort to compete with larger cable news networks beyond conventional television carriage.
Brand decisions
2023
Resolve DirecTV carriage disputeM&ABackground
DirecTV and U-verse removed Newsmax TV in January after the previous carriage agreement expired and the parties disagreed over commercial terms.
Action taken
Newsmax and DirecTV reached a new carriage agreement on March 22, 2023.
Aftermath
Newsmax returned to the relevant DirecTV services, while the dispute accelerated the network's broader move toward paid distribution and differentiated streaming products.
- The First TV — The First TV replaced Newsmax TV on DirecTV during the carriage interruption.
2023
Separate free and paid streaming productsProduct launchBackground
Newsmax's renewed distribution agreements required the company to wind down the free online simulcast of its traditional television feed.
Action taken
Newsmax launched Newsmax2 for free ad-supported distribution and Newsmax+ as a paid subscription service while ending the broad free simulcast of the main channel.
Aftermath
The brand adopted a tiered distribution model separating free clips and selected programming from full-feed paid access.
2022
Shift toward retransmission-consent revenueStrategyBackground
Newsmax had historically used free or paid distribution arrangements that could involve payments to providers, while also making its feed available through free digital platforms.
Action taken
The network sought to move toward traditional retransmission-consent arrangements in which distributors pay to carry the channel.
Aftermath
Some providers dropped Newsmax, and the strategy contributed to the 2023 DirecTV carriage dispute.
2020
Pursue viewers leaving Fox NewsStrategyBackground
Donald Trump's criticism of Fox News after its Arizona projection created an opportunity for Newsmax to attract viewers seeking more explicitly pro-Trump coverage.
Action taken
Newsmax emphasized its conservative identity, expanded political programming, and promoted or hired personalities associated with Fox News and conservative media.
Aftermath
The network experienced a major audience increase after the election and became a more visible competitor in conservative cable news.
- Fox News — Newsmax's growth was widely interpreted as competition for conservative viewers dissatisfied with Fox News's election coverage.
Recent events
Dominion files lawsuits against Newsmax and One America News[7]
Reported:
Dominion Voting Systems filed lawsuits against Newsmax and One America News, alleging that the channels aided the spread of baseless conspiracy theories about its role in the 2020 election.
Newsmax apologizes over false claims about Dominion employee[5]
Reported:
Newsmax apologized to Dominion employee Eric Coomer over reports alleging he helped manipulate the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Newsmax said it later found no evidence that the allegations were true.
Newsmax apologizes to Coomer for harm from its reporting[6]
Reported:
Newsmax apologized for harm its reporting of allegations against Eric Coomer may have caused him and his family, while stating it found no evidence supporting the allegations.
Newsmax settles Eric Coomer defamation lawsuit[4]
Reported:
Dominion Voting Systems executive Eric Coomer reached a settlement with Newsmax in his defamation lawsuit against the media organization. The settlement terms were not disclosed.
Newsmax and FreedomWorks partner on Sunday show[9]
Reported:
Newsmax partnered with the conservative political nonprofit FreedomWorks on a Sunday morning show, “Save the Nation.” Newsmax will tape the show in FreedomWorks' Washington studio and broadcast it at 11 a.m. ET.
Weekdays and relative dates follow the original report; their exact calendar dates have not been verified.
Christopher Krebs sues Newsmax over alleged defamation[3]
Reported:
Christopher Krebs filed a lawsuit against Newsmax, the Trump campaign, and Joseph diGenova, accusing them of conspiring to defame him over his statement that the 2020 election was secure from foreign interference. Newsmax said the claims in the suit were a threat to free speech and denied that diGenova had official ties to the outlet.
Smartmatic sues Newsmax and One America News Network[8]
Smartmatic filed defamation suits against Newsmax and One America News Network, alleging that the networks aired false claims about its work during the 2020 election. Smartmatic said the claims had cut its value by $2 billion.
Newsmax launches Cloud TV service[10]
Newsmax launched a Cloud TV service powered by Kaltura, including its live channel and video-on-demand catalogue.
Sources11 sources
- 1Newsmax TVen.wikipedia.org
- 2Newsmax official websitenewsmax.com
- 3Christopher Krebs sues Newsmax over alleged defamationnbcdfw.com
- 4Newsmax settles Eric Coomer defamation lawsuityahoo.com
- 5Newsmax settles Eric Coomer defamation lawsuitfinance.sina.com.cn
- 6Newsmax settles Eric Coomer defamation lawsuittalkingpointsmemo.com
- 7Dominion files lawsuits against Newsmax and One America Newsthesouthern.com
- 8Dominion files lawsuits against Newsmax and One America Newsodwyerpr.com
- 9Newsmax与FreedomWorks合作推出周日节目yahoo.com
- 10Newsmax推出Cloud TV服务advanced-television.com
- 11Newsmax apologizes for airing false allegations that an employee for Dominion manipulated voting machines, dropped from defamation lawsuitchicagotribune.com
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