The channel was created by American journalist and Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy. It launched on June 16, 2014, to 35 million satellite subscribers through DirecTV and Dish Network. As of May 2019, the network reaches about 75 million cable homes and has wide streaming and digital media player/mobile device availability, including on Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Haystack News and more. The channel primarily broadcasts from Newsmax’s New York studio on Manhattan’s East Side, with headquarters in Boca Raton, Florida and Washington, D.C.
Newsmax TV holds a conservative political stance, broadcasting many programs hosted by conservative media personalities. CEO Christopher Ruddy has compared the network to Fox News. The company has hired many former Fox News Channel program hosts, including Greg Kelly, Rob Schmitt, Bob Sellers, and Heather Childers. The Washington Post has described Newsmax as “a landing spot for cable news personalities in need of a new home”, citing the network’s airing of Mark Halperin and Bill O’Reilly following their resignations from other networks due to allegations of sexual harassment.
