The Loudest Voice (TV Mini Series)

1995 (2019)

Kaye Tuckerman: Australian Executive

Quotes 

• Australian Executive : We ran focus groups in all the major markets: Los Angeles, New York, Dallas, Chicago. CNN represent old. They're stuck in the 1980s. MSNBC, lost in a synergistic dreamland.

  Roger Ailes : That's one way of putting it.

  [laughter] 

  Australian Executive : Fox News will be programmed for the '90s. Fast, loud, edgy. Tabloid TV.

  Ian Rae : It's based on a very similar concept to "A Current Affair", Rupert. And it draws on the strengths of the Post and the Sun.

  Rupert Murdoch : Sounds good to me, gents. Roger?

  Roger Ailes : Hmm. One question. Who is your audience?

  Australian Executive : Everyone. We want to reach the widest audience possible.

  Roger Ailes : Well, I think that's wrong.

  Australian Executive : Excuse me?

  Roger Ailes : We don't need everyone. Your problem is that you're talking broadcast. Cable is different. Cable is about one thing: niche. The loyalty of a passionate few. We need to program directly to the viewer who is predisposed to buying what we're trying to sell. In politics, it's called turning out the base. If we can do that, then they will never change the channel.

  Australian Executive : And what is that niche?

  Roger Ailes : Well, I think it is conservatives. It's roughly half the damn country. Every other news service... you think about it, broadcast, cable, doesn't matter who it is... they have a left-wing bent. Ultimately, they are playing to a liberal elite, and that's fine, fine. We will let them all battle out for that half, and we're just gonna own the other half. Right now in America, 60% of people think that the media is negative, that it's full of lies, full of bias, full of crap. We're just gonna give the people what they want, a positive message, an American message, wrapped up in a conservative viewpoint. That's hearts and minds right there.

• Sean Hannity : [in old TV footage]  Tax and spend, that-that... that's really all you got. Not surprising for a limp-wristed lefty like yourself, always looking to...

  Roger Ailes : [snickering]  "Limp-wristed lefty" is good.

  Ian Rae : He was painting houses there a year or two ago. There is no way this guy is ready for prime time.

  Roger Ailes : Mute the sound.

  Australian Executive : What?

  Roger Ailes : Mute... the sound.

  [as she does, he watches Sean's body language] 

  Roger Ailes : What do you think, Chet?

  Chet Collier : Yeah. Yeah, he's good.

  Roger Ailes : Okay, bring that guy in and find me more guys like that guy. Real guys.