Since it’s founding in 1998, Newsmax has become a juggernaut of right wing media. What began as a startup digital media company In 2014, it became a cable news powerhouse and cemented its place in the cutthroat world of news. In recent years, the network has become a bubble of creativity, not just for its innovative programming, but for its groundbreaking advocacy. Its audience ratings have more than tripled in the past year.
US President Donald Trump has personally endorsed Newsmax, calling it his “favorite US channel.” This endorsement emphasizes the network’s cozying up to conservative perspectives, making its appeal to right-leaning audiences that much stronger. Chris Ruddy, the co-founder and CEO of Newsmax, and a near-daily Trump interlocutor, has been a Trump friend for more than 30 years. Yet this enduring relationship has without a doubt influenced the network’s focus and tone.
Expanding Reach and Audience Engagement
In September 2024, Newsmax tooted its horn when it opened what it called a pioneering Spanish-language channel. This new, AI-infused channel was created to reach audiences living in Dominican Republic and throughout Latin America. This expansion serves both to fulfill the network’s stated goal of serving usually underserved diverse communities while further solidifying their Christian-Conservative base.
Ruddy asserted in the deposition that delivering news through a conservative filter was key to Newsmax’s profitability. He stated, “People are voting with their remote controls, with their downloads, with their apps, and they’re saying they want alternative media here in the United States.” No surprise then, that this kind of idea would strike a chord with an audience hungry for alternatives to the mainstream media.
According to Nielsen data, last quarter Newsmax attracted 34 million different viewers. This is an extraordinary number and means that we’re up 50% over last year. We think this growth is partly because the network connects to an audience that is angry with the conventional media storylines.
Financial Success and Market Presence
Newsmax’s financial performance has been noteworthy. The network debuted on the New York Stock Exchange in March 2025. Just a month after that, in April, its shares jumped more than 2000%! The surge reflects growing investor confidence in the network’s potential and its ability to capitalize on the shifting media landscape.
In their 2023 Digital News Report, the Reuters Institute identified Newsmax as one of the 12 most popular news brands in the United States. This recognition continues to cement its status as the nation’s largest and most influential supplier of conservative news, further expanding its dominance in the industry.
Ruddy highlighted that criticisms of President Trump exist within the network, stating, “There are a lot of people, both left and right in America, that don’t like the tariff policy. They’re on Newsmax all the time.” This recognition of ideological pluralism across conservative news shows helps the network’s greater appeal to people of all stripes.
Future Prospects and Global Aspirations
Looking to the future, Ruddy sees even bigger things in store for Newsmax — outside American borders. He announced plans to launch similar channels in Germany and Italy. He was passionate about the prospect of taking American news to audiences around the world.
“Maybe we can do that someday in Germany, for instance, or Italy, which would be fun, and give them access to American news,” – Chris Ruddy
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