Nellie Andreeva

Once again, Fox New Channel is spreading holiday cheer at the expense of its rivals. The top-rated cable news channel’s holiday card again features an ode to its ratings success to the tune of a popular Christmas carol inside. But while last year’s card itself was more subtle, even philosophical, featuring 3 foxes playing chess in front of a Christmas tree and a menorah, this year’s represents a not-so-subtle jab at FNC’s rivals, especially cable nets MSNBC and CNN. Fox News positions itself as being in a race with the broadcast networks, while MSNBC and CNN are relegated to lurking in the background. The card raises 2 questions. Why is Fox News ahead of the broadcast networks when it’s not quite there yet ratings-wise (though it has topped the broadcast competition with some special coverage) and why are the sleighs pulled by sheep? Since it’s viewers that drive the networks’ ratings, are viewers the sheep?! As for the poem inside, this year it is to the tune of Joy To The World and features lyrics like:

“We are the ones to beat
Defeat we shall not meet
So into the background the rest do retreat.”

Of the Fox News personalities and shows, mainstays Bill O’Reilly, Sean Hannity, Shepard Smith, Bret Baier and Megyn Kelly and Fox & Friends, featured in last year’s poem to the tune of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, are back. New this year are The Five and veteran financial anchor Neil Cavuto, while last year’s Jenna Lee and Bill Hemmer are out.

TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.