Cable news networks are counting on their top stars to deliver peak ratings during the last few days before the election.
Undecided voters – who may not watch cable news regularly – often tune in to hear last-minute arguments for or against a given candidate.
But Fox News is facing a crisis in the news room after several top stars could be sidelined on the eve of the election.
The coronavirus continues to wreak havoc on 2020 . . .
Not even big name stars at Fox News can avoid that fate.
And now some of the network’s biggest names in news could be sidelined after being exposed to an individual who tested positive for COVID-19.
“Those who were exposed include Jay Wallace, the president of Fox News Media; Bret Baier, the chief political anchor; Martha MacCallum, the anchor of Fox’s 7 p.m. show, The Story; and Dana Perino and Juan Williams, two hosts of The Five,” The New York Times reported.
Apparently Wallace, Baier, MacCallum, Perino, and Williams came in contact with the COVID-19 positive person following a flight back from Nashville after the second presidential debate.
The New York Times reported that, “The infected person was on a charter flight to New York from Nashville with a group of network executives, personalities and other staff members who attended the presidential debate on Thursday, according to the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal network matters.”
Both Baier and MacCallum are slotted to host Fox News’ election night coverage from its New York City headquarters.
For now Baier, MacCallum, Perino, and Williams are hosting their programs virtually while in quarantine.
Rather than show the hosts live streaming from computers in their living rooms or basements, Bret Baier’s Special Report provided the host with a classic “busy newsroom” background.
It’s certainly more professional than when CNN’s Chris Cuomo was broadcasting from his basement during his time in quarantine after testing positive for the virus earlier this year.
Baier has since noted he’s tested negative several times, but if any of the top stars test positive prior to the election, Fox could find themselves with their top stars sidelined on the eve of the election.
And that’s something the network clearly doesn’t want to happen.
Political Animal News will keep you up-to-date on any developments to this ongoing story.
