In a jaw-dropping twist that has sent shockwaves through the television industry, CBS has reportedly inked a staggering $700 million deal with conservative powerhouses Megyn Kelly and Candace Owens to launch a new morning show poised to rival ABC’s long-reigning The View. Announced on April 7, 2025, this seismic move has insiders buzzing, with one industry veteran calling it “unbelievable” and predicting it could redefine daytime TV. As the news reverberates, panic is said to be brewing at ABC, where execs are scrambling to protect their turf. So, why is CBS betting big on Kelly and Owens, and what does this mean for the future of broadcast television?
The deal, one of the largest in TV history, pairs Megyn Kelly—a former Fox News anchor turned podcast titan—and Candace Owens, a provocative commentator with a massive online following, in a bid to capture an audience hungry for unfiltered conservative perspectives. Sources say the yet-unnamed show will air in direct competition with The View, pitting Kelly and Owens’ sharp-tongued takes against the liberal-leaning panel of Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, and company. “This isn’t just a show—it’s a cultural counterstrike,” an insider close to CBS revealed. “They’re going after viewers who feel ignored by mainstream media, and they’re doing it with two of the boldest voices out there.”
For CBS, the move is a high-stakes gamble to shake up a daytime landscape dominated by ABC’s flagship talker, which has held sway for over 25 years. Kelly, 54, brings decades of broadcast experience and a reputation for fearless interviews, while Owens, 35, offers a younger, digitally savvy edge with her no-holds-barred commentary. Together, they’re expected to tackle everything from politics to pop culture, promising a format that’s “raw, real, and relentlessly honest,” according to a network source. The $700 million price tag covers multiple seasons, production costs, and a massive promotional push, signaling CBS’s all-in commitment to making this a game-changer.
Industry watchers are stunned by the scale of the investment. “Unbelievable doesn’t even cover it,” said a veteran producer who’s worked with rival networks. “CBS is throwing down the gauntlet, and they’re banking on Kelly and Owens to deliver ratings that justify this kind of money.” The timing couldn’t be more provocative—morning TV has long been a battleground for cultural influence, and with political polarization at an all-time high, CBS seems intent on carving out a conservative stronghold to rival ABC’s progressive bastion.
Over at ABC, the reaction is reportedly one of barely contained alarm. The View has weathered controversies and cast changes, but it’s never faced a direct competitor with this level of firepower. Insiders claim execs are already brainstorming ways to bolster their lineup, with whispers of adding a high-profile conservative voice to counterbalance the show’s left-leaning tilt. “They’re rattled,” a source familiar with ABC’s strategy said. “Losing even a chunk of their audience to CBS could hurt ad revenue and prestige. This is a wake-up call.”
Fans of Kelly and Owens, meanwhile, are ecstatic. Social media is alight with posts hailing the duo as “the answer to The View’s nonsense,” with many predicting a ratings bloodbath. Critics, however, question whether the show can appeal beyond a niche conservative base in a fractured media landscape. “It’s a bold move, no doubt,” a media analyst noted. “But $700 million is a lot to risk on two polarizing figures. They’ll need crossover appeal to make it work.”
As CBS prepares to roll out this audacious venture—slated for a fall 2025 debut—the industry is bracing for impact. Will Kelly and Owens dethrone The View, or will their ambitious experiment fizzle? One thing’s certain: this shocking move has lit a fuse under daytime TV, and the explosion is coming whether ABC likes it or not. Stay tuned—this battle’s just beginning!
