AT&T was instrumental in founding and funding One American News: report



[ad_1]

A Reuters report reveals how AT&T played a major role in creating and funding the conservative One American News (OAN) news network.

The report details how the telecommunications giant helped create OAN because it wanted a “conservative network,” according to OAN founder and CEO Robert Herring Sr.

NATE SILVER’S ALARM SOUNDS AN ALARM ON BIDEN’S SURVEY: IT DOESN’T BOUNCE AND WE WAIT

“They told us they wanted a conservative network,” Herring said in court. “They only had one, it was Fox News, and they had seven more from each other [leftwing] side. When they said that, I jumped on it and built one. ”

The court testimony concerned a former OAN employee who filed a labor complaint against the network. Among those who testified, an OAN accountant said AT&T provided 90% of OAN revenue and that if AT&T had not purchased DirectTV in 2015, the OAN value “would be zero.”

AT&T spokesman Jim Greer denied any comment on OAN’s relationship with AT&T, but said the company is looking to provide a variety of content to customers.

“We have always strived to provide a wide variety of content and programming that may be of interest to customers, and do not dictate or control the programming on the channels we broadcast,” said Greer. “Any suggestion to the contrary is false.”

BIDEN WILL BE “NO AID TO DEMOCRATS BEFORE THE ELECTIONS: THE FIVE”

AT&T issued a statement after Reuters released its report, saying it “never had a financial stake in OAN’s success and that it does not ‘fund’ OAN.”

In response to a comment, an AT&T spokesperson sent Fox News the same statement.

“AT&T never had a financial stake in OAN’s success and does not ‘fund’ OAN. When AT&T acquired DIRECTV, we refused to carry OAN on this platform, and OAN sued DIRECTV accordingly. “, says the press release. “Four years ago, DIRECTV entered into a commercial distribution agreement with OAN, as it did with hundreds of other channels and as OAN did with the other television providers that broadcast its programming. DIRECTV offers a wide variety of programming, including many news channels that offer a variety of views, but it does not dictate or control the programming on the channels. Any suggestion to the contrary is wrong. Whether or not to renew the distribution agreement when it expires will be up to DIRECTV, which is now a separate company outside of AT&T. “

However, Reuters noted that court records provided by Herring suggested monthly fees totaling $ 57 million under a deal with AT&T. The company said the number was inaccurate but declined to provide further details.

Herring has reportedly had a relationship with AT&T since 2006. Certain details of the relationship were made available through a 2019 court filing unrelated to AT&T. There, Herring described the reasons for the creation of the OAN.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“To make money, number one,” Herring said. “But number two is that AT&T told us… they wanted a conservative network.”

“So,” the lawyer said, “AT&T kind of dictated what kind of network they wanted. Because there was an opportunity, did you jump on it? “

“Yes, sir,” Herring replied.

[ad_2]

Source link