Sarah Palin, she’s always going rogue. Palin apparently angered Fox News Chief Roger Ailes when she announced her decision about the 2012 election on Mark Levin’s conservative radio show instead of on Fox.
Palin announced on October 5th that she wasn’t going to run for president on Mark Levin’s radio show. After she got the media fire started, she appeared for an interview with Greta Van Susteren on Fox to confirm her decision.
But for Fox News Chief Roger Ailes, it was too little too late. Ailes, who pays Palin millions to appear on Fox News, was infuriated that the exclusive didn’t come to Fox first.
Gabriel Sherman at New York Magazine writes:
“Ailes was so mad, he considered pulling her off the air entirely until her $1 million annual contract expires in 2013.”
After the follow up interview, Roger Ailes had a meeting with a Bill Shine, Palin’s principal contact with the network. Ailes said:
“I paid her for two years to make this announcement on my network.”
According to New York Magazine, Palin made the decision to announce her non-presidency on Levin’s show because Levin was a big Palin supporter, and partly out of spite. Palin was apparently upset with Ailes and the Fox network for giving too much air time to Karl Rove, who is one of her biggest detractors.
Tension between Palin and Ailes hasn’t exactly subsided since then. Palin was hired by Fox News when she was “hot” in a hope to boost ratings, but Palin’s media draw has waned in recent months. Palin’s contract is up in 2013. It’s unclear if Fox will contain her. Will Fox be able stand three years of “will she or won’t she” run for president stories?
Palin could give Fox one last boost before she exits, though. Palin is expected to throw her support behind one of the GOP candidates. Fox News Chief Roger Ailes is hoping that she’ll make the announcement on Fox.
