Blaze Media

Blaze Media is an American conservative 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.

This article is about the news television network. For other uses, see The Blaze (disambiguation).

Blaze Media
LaunchedDecember 3, 2018
Owned byBlaze Media LLC
Picture format1080i HDTV
(downscaled to letterboxed 480i for the SDTV feed)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Broadcast areaUnited States
HeadquartersIrving, Texas
Websitetheblaze.com
Streaming media
blazetv.comBlazeTV
Sling TVBlazeTV
TuneInTheBlaze
Google PlayBlazeTV
iTunesBlazeTV
Apple TVTheBlaze
RokuTheBlaze
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TheBlaze was a pay television network founded by Glenn Beck. CRTV LLC, which operated Conservative Review and CRTV (Conservative Review Television), was an online subscription network.

History

On August 31, 2010, three days after his Restoring Honor rally at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., Beck launched the TheBlaze website, describing it as an alternative to "mainstream media outlets", which he said are "distorting facts to fit rigid agendas," he said TheBlaze will feature "breaking news, original reporting, insightful opinions, and engaging videos about the stories that matter most" and that "we will examine our culture, deal with matters of faith and family, and we won't be afraid of a history lesson."[2] The site was reportedly modeled after The Huffington Post, and has been compared accordingly by Matt DeLong of The Washington Post and Steve Krakauer of Mediaite.[3] TheBlaze headquarters is 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 that would replace 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 Convention, requesting permission for TheBlaze to host a Republican presidential debate; this offer was not accepted.[12][13]

On August 31, 2017, TheBlaze laid off nearly 60 employees, which cut its personnel by almost 30%.[14]

On December 28, 2018, Verizon Fios removed TheBlaze from its lineup.[15]

Merger with CRTV

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 (The Steve Deace Show and Wilkow).

Gavin McInnes, the co-founder of Vice Media and Vice magazine,[16][17] founder of the Proud Boys[18], 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.[19][20] Former contributor Michelle Malkin likewise followed McInnes out the door after CRTV's merger with TheBlaze in December 2018.[21]

TheBlaze Dallas studios at the Studios at Las Colinas looking into the television control room

Program hosts for television, and radio and podcasts
TheBlaze Radio Network
Broadcast areaWorldwide via Internet streaming and smartphone apps
FrequencyInternet (iHeartRadio, TheBlaze apps, web)
First air dateSeptember 5, 2012
FormatConservative libertarian talk radio
ClassInternet radio station
OwnerBlaze Media LLC
Websitewww.theblaze.com/st/Radio
  • Glenn Beck – Glenn TV (host), Glenn Radio (host)
  • Eric Bolling – Host of AmERICa Bolling
  • Stu Burguiere – Glenn Radio (co-host/executive producer), The Wonderful World of Stu (host), Glenn TV (executive producer), Stu Does America (host)
  • Rick Burgess and Bubba Busey – Host of the Rick and Bubba Show and Rick and Bubba University Podcast
  • Lauren Chen – Host of Pseudo-Intellectual with Lauren Chen[22]
  • Steven Crowder – Host of Louder with Crowder[23]
  • Steve Deace – Host of the Steve Deace Show
  • Kevin Freeman – Host of Economic War Room
  • Pat Gray – Pat Gray Unleashed (host), Glenn Radio (recurring regular and frequent fill-in host)
  • Sara Gonzales – The News And Why It Matters (host/moderator)
  • Daniel Horowitz – Host of The Conservative Review Podcast
  • Mark Levin – Host of LevinTV
  • Jon Miller – Host of The White House Brief
  • Chad Prather – Host of The Chad Prather Show
  • Dave Rubin – Host of The Rubin Report
  • Andrew Wilkow – Host of Wilkow!
  • Allie Beth Stuckey – Host of Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey
  • Deneen Borelli[24]
  • Matt Kibbe – Host of Kibbe on Liberty [25]
  • Phil Robertson – Host of In the Woods with Phil and Unashamed with Phil Robertson [26]

Frequent guests

Former hosts and contributors

Controversies

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez video

In July 2018, CRTV published a 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.[27] The previous interview was edited to appear as if Ocasio-Cortez was giving nonsensical answers to questions read by CRTV commentator Allie Stuckey. 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.”[28] 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.[27][29][28]

Jon Miller's Bong Joon-ho Oscars tweet

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."[30] The tweet immediately caused a firestorm, with numerous Twitter users plus celebrities accusing Miller of racism and xenophobia. Miller vehemently denied his tweet was directed at Koreans, and claimed it was aimed at Hollywood.[31][32]

Additional outlets

Radio
Main article: TheBlaze Radio Network

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 exclusive home of conservative talk-show host Pat Gray.

Website
TheBlaze.com
show screenshot
Homepage screenshot on 14 May 2016
Type of site
News and opinion
Available inEnglish
OwnerBlaze Media LLC
EditorLeon Wolf
URLtheblaze.com
Alexa rank 6,148 (February 2020)[33]
1,233 United States (February 2020)[33]
CommercialYes
LaunchedAugust 26, 2010
Current statusActive

TheBlaze website launched on August 26, 2010. According to Beck, the site took two months to design.[2] 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.com. Journalists joining TheBlaze later included S. E. Cupp and David Harsanyi.

On its opening morning, the site featured advertisements for Dick Armey's new book and for Goldline International,[2] and its lead story dealt with allegations that Education Secretary Arne Duncan encouraged Education Department employees to attend Al Sharpton's counter-rally in Washington, which took place on the same day as the Restoring Honor rally and at which Duncan spoke.[34] Another story, criticizing Feisal Abdul Rauf, featured the headline "Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, the man behind the Ground Zero mosque, claims to be a Jew, Christian, and a Muslim. But some say that's impossible."[35]

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.[36]

In March 2011, the site was noted for its critique of James O'Keefe's NPR sting video.[37]

Visits to the website declined from 21.5 million unique visitors in March 2014 to 8 million in February 2017.[38]

Magazine

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.[39] The magazine was sixteen pages and was published monthly except for February and August. It was available digitally and in print.[40] The last edition of TheBlaze magazine was published in April 2015.

References
  1. Hayes, Dade (December 3, 2018). "TheBlaze And CRTV Merge To Create Blaze Media, Uniting Glenn Beck With Fox News Host Mark Levin". Deadline Hollywood.
  2. Barr, Andy (August 31, 2010). "Glenn Beck launches news site". POLITICO. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  3. Rose, Lacey (August 31, 2010). "Glenn Beck's $35 Million Empire Adds A News Site". Forbes. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  4. Matt DeLong, Glenn Beck launches conservative news site The Blaze, Washington Post ( August 31, 2010).
  5. Sydney Ember, Sinclair Deal Draws Unlikely Opponent: Conservative News Media, New York Times (August 8, 2017).
  6. Amy Holmes Joins Glenn Beck's GBTV Network As Anchor, Huffington Post, August 9, 2011
  7. "Glenn Beck drops his name from Web network, promises media 'revolution' – CNN.com". CNN. June 18, 2012. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  8. Morgenstern, Madeleine (March 28, 2013). "TheBlaze TV Launching on 4 More Cable Operators". TheBlaze. Retrieved March 28, 2013.
  9. Adams, Becket (May 1, 2013). "TheBlaze Extends Its Reach, Announces TV Deal with Tri State Cable Provider". TheBlaze. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  10. "Betsy Morgan, CEO of Glenn Beck's The Blaze, Steps Down". www.adweek.com. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
  11. "Glenn Beck". www.facebook.com.
  12. "Glenn Beck Wants to Host a GOP Debate and Bill O'Reilly Hopes They Let Him %%". Politicus USA. November 3, 2015. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  13. Central, Election (October 14, 2014). "Republican Debate Schedule (2016 Primary Debates)". Retrieved June 20, 2018.
  14. 09.01.17 12:00 AM ET (September 2017). "After Mass Layoffs, Can Glenn Beck Still Save 'The Blaze'?". The Daily Beast. Thedailybeast.com. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  15. Concha, Joe (December 28, 2019) "BlazeTV dropped from Verizon Fios" The Hill
  16. Pareene, Alex (January 23, 2008). "Co-Founder Gavin McInnes Finally Leaves 'Vice'". Gawker. Archived from the original on October 10, 2016. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  17. "The 'Vice' Boys Are All Grown Up And Working For Viacom". Gawker. November 19, 2007. Archived from the original on April 7, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  18. Sommer, Will (June 19, 2019) [b "Police Stop Far-Right Proud Boys From Reaching Anti-Trump Protest in Orlando"] The Daily Beast
  19. Bowden, John (December 8, 2018) "BlazeTV breaks off relationship with founder of the Proud Boys" The Hill
  20. Stelloh, Tim (December 9, 2018) "'Proud Boys' founder Gavin McInnes out at Blaze Media" NBC News
  21. Levine, Jon (December 10, 2018). "Blaze TV Hosts Michelle Malkin, Gavin McInnes Out After CRTV Merger". TheWrap. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
  22. Pseudo-Intellectual with Lauren Chen – BlazeTV, retrieved September 8, 2019
  23. "Louder with Crowder – CRTV". www.crtv.com. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
  24. "Deneen Borelli – CRTV". www.crtv.com. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
  25. "Kibbe on Liberty – CRTV". www.crtv.com. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
  26. "In the Woods with Phil – CRTV". www.crtv.com. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
  27. Rosenberg, Eli (July 24, 2018). "After a fake interview of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez went viral, its maker said it was satire". Washington Post. Archived from the original on December 16, 2018. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
  28. Bergeer, Judson (July 26, 2018). "Conservative's satirical Ocasio-Cortez 'interview' triggers media uproar". Fox News. Archived from the original on January 19, 2019. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
  29. Robertson, Adi (July 24, 2018). "A million Facebook users watched a video that blurs the line between bad satire and 'fake news'". The Verge. Archived from the original on January 19, 2019. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
  30. Miller, Jon. "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". Twitter.
  31. 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.
  32. Moore, Adrian (February 10, 2020). "Sunken TV Host Jon Miller Gets Dragged For Bigoted Oscar Comments". Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  33. "Theblaze.com Site Info". Alexa Internet. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  34. DeLong, Matt (August 31, 2010). "Glenn Beck launches conservative news site TheBlaze.com". Washington Post. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  35. Weiner, Juli (August 31, 2010). "Is the Conservative Media Ignoring the Launch of The Blaze, Glenn Beck's New Web Site?". Vanity Fair. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  36. Lang, Brent (January 5, 2011). "Glenn Beck Hires HuffPo's Morgan for His Fledgling Website". The Wrap.
  37. "Analysts, NPR: Video edit of executive misleading". Associated Press. March 14, 2011.
  38. Barrabi, Thomas (March 27, 2017). "Will Tomi Lahren's Apparent Firing from TheBlaze Burn Glenn Beck's Brand?". Fox News. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  39. "Scott Baker". TheBlaze.com. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
  40. "FAQ". Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
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