Fox News' recent firing of Tucker Carlson has exposed a business model flaw that the network is now vulnerable to. According to Media Matters for America, Fox News has long relied on its viewers demanding increasingly toxic and irresponsible content, much of which advertisers are unwilling to support. Carlson's show played a significant role in mainstreaming extremist conspiracy theories and personalities, which ultimately contributed to his immense popularity on the network. The show's promotion of extremist narratives, combined with Carlson's "gift" for keeping viewers hooked, meant that Tucker Carlson Tonight boasted record viewership during his tenure.

However, the lack of advertiser demand ultimately led to the talk show losing many blue-chip advertisers who did not want to associate themselves with the program's controversial content. Direct-response advertisers filled this void while commercials were sold at a lower price point, providing no real financial windfall to the network. Carlson's exit from Fox News not only damages the network's hegemony over conservative media but also speaks to the larger issues facing the company's business model.