Could TRANSAMÉRICA RIO Become the FOX NEWS of Brazil?

Fox News and the Radio Model

Fox News, especially after Trump’s victory, ceased to be just a channel of American right-wing thought and assumed a clearly pro-Trump identity. No radio or TV network in the U.S. is truly neutral or impartial; choosing a side inevitably means choosing to have more or less audience. This doesn’t mean that the side with the bigger audience is more or less intellectually honest, it is simply a matter of communication strategy.The fact is that Fox News dominates the market, and by a wide margin. For Brazilian audiences, it may sound strange how Fox doesn’t hesitate to exploit any opportunity—a soundbite, a statement, a rival’s opinion—to ridicule its competitors. There is no softness in its editorial line. It is certainly a risky formula, but one that works in the U.S.

The Case of Transamérica

Transamérica Network once had its golden age as an FM giant in Brazil, but for some time now it has occupied intermediate positions, without the same relevance in São Paulo, its headquarters. In 2025, it changed hands and came under the control of a new group. There was speculation that it might align with CNN Brasil, especially in its Rio de Janeiro operation. This created high expectations in the market.However, conflicts have recently emerged among CNN partners, and one of them is precisely the new controlling force within Transamérica. It does not appear to be in this controller’s editorial line to adopt a Fox News–style approach on radio. Still, if the new leadership chooses to break away from the low-audience model of most Brazilian news radios—generally aligned with anti-market thinking—and adopt a more pro-market stance, it could even surpass Jovem Pan News.Such a path would resemble the successful experience of Radio Mitre in Buenos Aires or Fox in the U.S. It would be a bet on attracting the loyal all-news audience that rejects the current anti-market editorial lines predominant in Brazilian media.

Mitre: An Argentine All-News Giant Unknown to Brazilians

Radio Mitre’s formula may be even more efficient than Fox’s. It is pro-market all-news journalism, but without unconditional support for politicians. The station has credibility to criticize both left and right-wing leaders when they fail, always in defense of market principles. This critical capacity surpasses Fox and inspires more trust among listeners, who resent being manipulated by political bias.In Brazil, the public most interested in serious information has long turned to alternative sources, precisely because of the lack of options among major networks. The introduction of an editorial model similar to Mitre’s could fill this void.

Fox News Comparative

1. Market Positioning

   Fox News is perceived as pro-market, but often gets contaminated by unnecessary political passions.

2. Coverage Style and Tone

   Assertive and confrontational tone, with outspoken anchors and direct language that appeals to emotion.

3. Handling of Controversies

   Acts aggressively, seen by supporters as courage to challenge the establishment. More cautious competitors end up accused of protecting elites.

4. Audience and Cultural Impact

   The most-watched cable news network for years, with strong domestic loyalty, while rivals enjoy more international and academic presence.

5. Use of Narratives

   Relies heavily on the “people vs. left-elite” rhetoric, resonating with audiences who feel marginalized by the establishment.

   
   

The Impact of a “Brazilian Fox News”

• Breaking Media Consensus: It would provide a clear alternative to the homogeneous and institutional tone of the national press.

• Establishment Backlash: Politicians and large groups would react with hostility, potentially strengthening the station as an “independent voice.”

• Audience Redistribution: It would attract the public that currently consumes podcasts, YouTube, and social media due to lack of professional alternatives.

• Increased Polarization: It would give voice to topics often omitted by mainstream media, intensifying public debate.

• Transformation of Broadcast Journalism: With opinion panels, explicit editorialization, and ideological hosts, it would revitalize cable news debate formats.

In Brazil, All-News Networks Push Away Their Own Audience

Brazil is poorly served by all-news broadcasters, both on TV and radio. This is an obvious conclusion. The public that actually consumes this type of content tends to be more rational and objective, with an interest in finance and economics, and a strong ability to filter the chaos generated by populist measures. Precisely these critical filters are largely absent in Brazilian journalism, which often avoids this kind of analysis.Fox would bring a brutal counterpoint to Brazilian journalism, but it still wouldn’t be fully satisfactory. Its posture, though direct, is not always intellectually honest, as it often falls into the same trap it criticizes: the obsession with defending allies and attacking opponents unconditionally.Mitre’s line, on the other hand, truly meets the expectations of a discerning audience. It is not about being the political opposite of Brazilian stations; it is about maintaining consistency and independence, without flattery of politicians and without blind defense of allies. That is the fundamental difference.

Adopting the FOX NEWS banner would have a massive impact on the market

But there is a major factor to consider: the strength of the FOX NEWS brand. It would be decisive in ensuring that the immediate impact and attention-grabbing process of tuning into the station would stand far above any other launch strategy. This is a very strong variable that would influence both audience capture and the interest of advertisers who already understand the need to reach an audience consistently discredited by other journalism brands. It would be an ideal approach to adopt in Brazil, leveraging the overwhelming strength of FOX NEWS.

It is a mistake to imagine that FOX is an unknown journalistic brand in Brazil, since the all-news radio audience is precisely the one with the highest level of education, access to international information, and strong self-communication networks. This factor represents a diffusion power that serves to gather audiences around a single source, empowering it.

I do not deny that, with such knowledge in mind, a radio station under the FOX NEWS brand could operate with great success and quality, provided it relied on the full standard and approval of the parent company, but chose a more efficient journalistic line consistent with Radio Mitre’s standard, continuing its strong pro-market ideological stance without becoming partisan.

I would have no doubt: if I had to build a station or create a news radio network, I would never bet on an anti-market editorial line. The audience for all-news radio is, in over 90%, supportive of a smaller state, market freedom, and lower taxes.Between Fox News and Mitre models, there is no real doubt: Mitre’s is intellectually more honest. And that is exactly what this audience seeks to hear the truth. They do not want ideological cheerleading, nor a station dreaming of converting the country to Keynesian economics.Argentina, in this regard, should be proud of having a radio network like Mitre, which combines credibility, critical spirit, and a clear defense of the market.

“Being Greater than ‘Left’ and ‘Right’”

I don’t need to be a prophet to confidently state that if Transamérica decides to turn one of its stations into an all-news radio outlet with a left-wing ideological bias, just like the many we already have in excess, it will simply be one more voice dividing the same small piece of cheese. It will lack relevance and fail to build an imposing brand.

On the other hand, if it chooses to become a right-wing station devoted to parties and politicians, it will fall into another trap: it may carve out a niche of its own, but it will still not fulfill the true purpose of listeners who genuinely enjoy all-news radio. What this audience truly seeks is the defense of a smaller state, lower taxes, pro-market action, but, above all, without idolizing political figures who claim to be their champions.

As I previously pointed out, this is the main virtue of Radio Mitre in Buenos Aires, a ratings champion that does not shy away from exposing flaws and corruption on any side. Being pro-market means strengthening democracy by preventing totalitarian movements driven by blind devotion to authoritarian leaders and models, such as those of Venezuela or Turkey.

Thus, waving either a right-wing or left-wing flag does not guarantee the defense of democracy, many who do so in fact hide behind these banners the true intention of maintaining absolute and non-transferable control of power.

So, Transamérica, take a stand: be pro-economic freedom and pro-individual freedom. That is far superior to merely being “right-wing” or “left-wing.”

Related Post(s)

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• In Argentina, Mitre 790 AM, a Pro-Market and Overall Radio Leader, Soundly Outperforms Both AM and FM Stations (EN-US)