Bold plans for a conservative debate show styled after "The View" are unfolding.
According to the Daily Mail, Patrick Soon-Shiong aims to woo MAGA supporters with a new digital media venture, LAT Next.
Patrick Soon-Shiong, a billionaire media mogul and owner of the LA Times, is venturing into creating a conservative opinion show. This initiative, known as LAT Next, mirrors the format of the popular TV show "The View" but targets a distinctly different audience: supporters of former President Donald Trump and those leaning towards conservative ideologies.
The initiative was prompted by Soon-Shiong's desire to reach a wider audience through digital media platforms. However, details regarding how the show will be distributed remain unspecified. The exact relationship between this new venture and the LA Times, a traditionally left-leaning publication, has also not been clearly defined, though they may share some operational services.
Amidst this shift, the introduction of figures like Scott Jennings, a conservative commentator known for his work on CNN, emphasizes the serious intent behind LAT Next. Soon-Shiong mentioned, "'Scott on LAT Next," indicating potential roles within the show. This move aligns with creating a space for discussions that resonate with the MAGA base, a segment of the electorate still highly influential in American politics.
Hiring strategies have further highlighted the show's direction. LAT Next has brought on Eric Beach, a key Republican consultant with experience managing the pro-Trump Great America PAC during the 2016 and 2020 elections. His expertise in Republican political strategies is likely to shape the framework and content strategy of LAT Next.
Despite the unfolding plans, the project remains shrouded in ambiguity regarding its full scope and the extent of its relationship with the existing media properties owned by Soon-Shiong. Discussions around the involvement of other conservative personalities like Rob Schneider and Candace Owens suggest a broadening of the platform’s appeal but remain unconfirmed.
Additional insights into the potential direction and tone of LAT Next surfaced during meetings with various figures. Cheryl Hines, wife of activist Robert F Kennedy Jr., reportedly met with Soon-Shiong at the LA Times’s office, indicating possible collaborations or endorsements, further emphasizing the project’s conservative bent.
The backdrop to these developments includes a controversial decision by Soon-Shiong last year to block the LA Times from endorsing Kamala Harris in the presidential election. The publication's readership reacted with considerable backlash to this move, highlighting the complex dynamics between Soon-Shiong’s editorial interventions and the newspaper’s traditional stances.
As LAT Next moves forward, it must balance its inherent political biases with the need to attract a broad audience. Its success depends on presenting engaging, thoughtful conservative viewpoints while avoiding the alienation of potential viewers who might distrust a media platform linked to a traditionally liberal newspaper.
Observers will closely watch the show's development and its impact on the media landscape, especially as digital platforms continue reshaping how audiences engage with political content. LAT Next must carve out a niche in the competitive digital media environment and influence public discourse to succeed.
In his latest move, Soon-Shiong blasted Oliver Darcy, a prominent media figure, as 'combative'. This incident, which ended with Soon-Shiong walking out of an interview, underscores the tensions inherent in launching a politically charged media project amidst America's deeply polarized climate.
Reflecting on these developments, LAT Next represents not just a business venture but a significant gamble in the turbulent waters of media and politics. It encapsulates the challenges media moguls face when attempting to cater to diverse and often divisive audience segments in today's digital age.
