Newsmax is running a shadow campaign to harass cable providers

Newsmax has been running a shadow campaign on its channel, website, and Facebook to harass cable providers after numerous providers dropped the right-wing network.

In January, Atlantic Broadband, Blue Ridge Communications, Cincinnati Bell, Hawaiian Telecom, and Hargray Communications all dropped Newsmax, which had reportedly paid some cable providers to carry the network. These moves come on the heels of DirecTV dropping One America News, a similar far-right network.

Newsmax has long been a network that pushes scams and lies. It pushes conspiracy theories related to the COVID-19 vaccine and the 2020 presidential election, and freely allows guests to promote political violence. In a desperate attempt for relevancy, Newsmax is now engaged in a strategy of intimidation to stay on the platforms of various cable providers.

Newsmax's campaign has also extended to channels that are still carrying the network. For example, during broadcasts on February 22, Newsmax ran graphics instructing viewers to reach out to cable companies Verizon Fios and Frontier Cable, neither of which appears to have dropped it. That day's graphics -- which were similar to others that often appear on the network -- also targeted Atlantic Broadband Cable, which has dropped it.

Newsmax cable companies chyrons — Graphics Newsmax aired about cable providers on February 22, 2022 (for a larger, high-resolution version of this image, click here)

On its website, Newsmax tells viewers to fight “censorship” and to demand that Newsmax be carried by their cable providers. These pleas are echoed on Facebook with advertisements that are often identical.

Atlantic Broadband / Breezeline

On its website, Newsmax claimed that Atlantic Broadband “censor[ed]” former President Donald Trump’s January 29 rally because the provider had dropped Newsmax. In a standalone “Drop Breezeline Ohio” microsite linked from Newsmax's Facebook ads (which note that Atlantic is now Breezeline) in February, the network tells readers that Atlantic Broadband’s decision to drop the network was “political.” It further tells readers to “fight back” and cancel their subscription with the cable provider.

Blue Ridge

After Blue Ridge Communications dropped Newsmax, the network told readers that the provider “carried 11 liberal news and information channels” (though it failed to mention which “liberal” channels it was referring to). The article further directed readers to switch their providers. In a standalone “Drop Blue Ridge” microsite linked from Newsmax's Facebook advertisements, the network tells readers to contact Blue Ridge and demand that it carry the network.

Cincinnati Bell

During a February 15 interview with Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), Newsmax host Sean Spicer addressed Cincinatti Bell’s decision to drop Newsmax. Spicer asked how Paul’s constituents could fight back against the “censoring” of Newsmax. Paul responded by telling his constituents not to subscribe to any cable provider that does not carry Newsmax. Newsmax would run a Facebook ad promoting Paul's statement. The network is also running similar ads and a standalone “Drop Cincinnati Bell” microsite.

From the February 15, 2022, edition of Newsmax's Spicer & Co

SEAN SPICER (HOST): Before I let you go, and speaking of being treated like a customer, I know that you just canceled your subscription to DirectTV. And in your home state of Kentucky, Cincinnati Bell, which serves a lot of people in northern Kentucky, recently dropped Newsmax from their cable guide in the middle of negotiations with Newsmax. We're, as you know, the fourth highest rated cable news channel. If your constituents want to fight back against companies like Cincinnati Bell, who are censoring access to a conservative news outlet like Cincinatti — like Newsmax — what should they do? What would you recommend to them?

SEN. RAND PAUL: What's interesting for the last couple years, my friends had talked about streaming and that they were actually spending less streaming theirs. And then I discovered that, you know, Pluto TV — I can get Newsmax, I can get OAN, and I can get Glenn Beck TV, I can get all kinds of stuff. You know, on streaming and it was actually relatively easy. I bought a — one of the little Fire sticks, put it on my TV and 10 minutes later, I can stream a lot of channels that I like and make the choice. Now, ultimately Big Tech may invade those spaces. I hope not. But there really is more choice in some of these streaming devices like Pluto TV then there is in a lot, a lot of other things.

But ultimately the market — we have to let them know and they have to pay a penalty. You know, Coca-Cola wants to be woke, quit buying it. If Delta wants to be woke and they want to put people upset about masks on a no-fly list with terrorists, and they want to, you know, to put us face down and handcuffed us — that's the way Delta wants to treat us — don't fly on their planes. And if different television, whoever controls the cable and the satellites, doesn't want conservative TV, then we shouldn't use them. But I hope that they will recognize that we're a force. Look, we're 40% of the country. People watching Newsmax and conservative TV — we're 40% of the country. If they don't want to us. I mean, that's what I told Coca-Cola and I think they backed down a little. But I said, you don't want Republicans to buy Coke? I mean, really, is that what you want? Most corporations were usually a little more down the middle. And look. There's right- and left-wing TV. It just turns out more people want to watch conservative TV. They don't want to watch — there is left-wing TV. You can find it. Just nobody wants to watch it.

Hawaiian Telcom

Newsmax also ran Facebook ads in February targeting Hawaiian Telcom. The network links to a similar “Drop Hawaiian Telcom” page which bizarrely claims that Hawaiian Telcom services parts of Ohio and Kentucky. (Cincinnati Bell and Hawaiian Telcom reportedly share the same owner.)

Hargray

After Hargray dropped Newsmax, the network warned on its website that “They are canceling you.” In a standalone “Drop Hargary” microsite linked from Newsmax's Facebook advertisements, the network tells readers to “cancel Hargray cable service, internet, telecom, or broadband.”

Watch Communications / BRT

In an email obtained by Media Matters, Newsmax told its audience to contact Watch Communications (“BRT”) and demand that Newsmax remain with the carrier.

When the number is called, a prerecorded message from BRT plays, responding to Newsmax’s email by saying, “If you're calling in regards to an email you have received from Newsmax and are a Watch Communications or BRT customer, please note that back in January we did the sign the agreement and will keep providing this channel for you.”

Newsmax is a toxic abyss of conspiracy theories and hateful rhetoric. One can only hope that the network’s intimidation tactics will not help further its reach.

Newsmax is running a shadow campaign to harass cable providers

Atlantic Broadband / Breezeline

Blue Ridge

Cincinnati Bell

Hawaiian Telcom

Hargray

Watch Communications / BRT

Right-wing media weaponize Israel’s strike on Iran to fearmonger about “millions of jihadi sleeper cells in our country thanks to the Democrats open border polices.”

Prompted on Patrick Bet-David's podcast about targeting gang members for deportation, Michael Knowles replies you “have to go after the gardener”

Fox ramps up Trump’s pressure campaign against the Federal Reserve

Charlie Kirk claims he had advanced warning of Israel's attack on Iran: “I knew it was coming”

Fox parroted DHS claim Padilla “lunged toward” Noem. Video debunks it.

Newsmax