VT 50: Most Influential Names in Media for 2024

The Year of Chaos is over.

In 2024, as 41% of the earth’s population participated in the democratic process, wars raged on multiple fronts, and economic disruptions threatened the average citizen, one throughline emerged within it all: the ever-present establishment media.

Experts have been predicting since 2023 that the mainstream media is steadily losing its hold over the political order—and during the 2024 election cycle, this prediction came to pass.

This past year saw the rise of a new class of pundits, journalists, and innovators from across the political and cultural spectrum. Billionaires and entrepreneurs, comedians and congressmen, podcasters and online trolls, all united in a shared effort to topple the established order and return power to the people.

But the Old Guard of the media industry is not so easily dismissed, and though the establishment might have taken a hit this year, it certainly cannot be counted out for good.

So in honor of those who joined in this most noble effort this year, Valuetainment’s panel of experts convened once again to compile a list of the most influential names in media for 2024.

These are the individuals and organizations that spent the year shaping and reshaping media as we know it, whether for good or ill. From establishment powerhouses to upstart startups, from titans of industry to influential keyboard warriors, this list covers them all.

50. Barron Trump

A surprise first entry on this list, the youngest son of President-elect Donald Trump has built a reputation as a savvy political strategist, a towering intellect, and an up-and-coming power player in the business world…and all without even having a public social media presence.

In 2024, Barron Trump celebrated his 18^th birthday and graduated from Oxbridge Academy in West Palm Beach, Florida. His graduation became a point of contention during his father’s criminal hush money trial in New York, with Judge Juan Merchan reluctantly agreeing to allow the former president to leave the state to attend the ceremony.

The younger Trump was also briefly nominated to serve as a delegate-at-large representing his home state of Florida at the Republican National Convention in July. He ultimately declined this invitation citing prior commitments, but sources close to the Trump family suggest that he remains “far more politically interested than people realize.”

However, it was his reported behind-the-scenes influence on his father’s presidential campaign that earns Barron Trump a place on this list. According to multiple campaign sources, Barron is credited with recommending that his father make podcast appearances and sit for long-form interviews that helped him to reach younger audiences. This led to former President Trump having sit-downs with personalities like Adin Ross, Theo Von, Joe Rogan, and even Valuetainment’s own Patrick Bet-David, a strategic move that gave him a measurable boost with the youth demographic.

During many of these media appearances, the former president touted his son’s successes at New York University’s Stern School of Business, one of the nation’s leading business schools, and further praised him for his intelligence, independence, and sense of humor.

Though Barron has yet to make a formal media debut—or even speak publicly—his quiet, helpful presence during the 2024 election suggests that his influence may grow significantly over time.

49. Kristen Welker

In 2024, NBC News correspondent Kristen Welker completed her inaugural year as host of “Meet the Press,” becoming the first African American and second woman at the helm of the longest-running show in TV history. Even in a year that saw a major decline in ratings for mainstream news networks, “Meet the Press” held strong as top-rated Sunday programming and continued to pull key demographics.

Welker’s debut episode of the show in September 2023 featured a contentious interview with former President Donald Trump, and the following month, she co-moderated the third 2024 GOP primary debate in Miami. Since then, she has hosted frequent interviews with key Republican figures, including vice president-elect JD Vance, former RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel, Senators Marco Rubio and Lindsey Graham, and Rep. Elise Stefanik.

Earlier this month, Welker invited Trump back to “Meet the Press” for his first post-election network interview. During this sit-down, Trump discussed his plans for his first 100 days, defended his cabinet picks, and addressed concerns about the country’s international relationships.

Separately, Welker received the 2024 First Amendment Award from the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) for her “outstanding political reporting during one of the most contentious periods ever in American politics.”

48. “All-In” – Chamath Palihapitiya, Jason Calacanis, David Sacks, & David Friedberg

After exploding onto the podcast scene during the early days of the COVID pandemic, “All-In” has cemented its place as one of the top-ranking podcasts for Business and Technology. Hosted by venture capitalists Chamath Palihapitiya, Jason Calacanis, David Sacks, and David Friedberg, “All-In” draws hundreds of thousands of views per episode and maintains a sizeable international following.

In 2024, “All-In” hosted an extensive list of notable guests, including JD Vance, Mark Cuban, Sam Altman, John Mearsheimer and Jeffrey Sachs, and Donald Trump, the latter of which quickly became the channel’s most-viewed episode.

In September, Elon Musk made an appearance at the annual All-In Summit, during which he discussed a wide range of subjects including free speech and government censorship, as well as the future of AI and advanced robotics.

Earlier this month, the hosts announced the creation of the NESKY Award, a year-end distinction to celebrate achievements in business, technology, media, and sports. This unofficial recognition, decided live by the hosts with input from listeners, acknowledges individuals, organizations, and standout moments that shaped world events during the year.

47. Mario Nawfal

Serial entrepreneur, crypto investor, and “citizen journalist” Mario Nawfal has continued to be an influential voice in technology, business, and news, with a vast sphere of influence on X and through his show “The Roundtable.” Nawfal is known for his sharp investment acumen, making strategic investments in emerging technologies such as Web3, AI, and fintech.

In 2024, Nawfal made multiple noteworthy media contributions, including an interview with then-presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr at Coinbase’s Consensus 2024 conference in Austin, Texas. He has also authored dozens of articles for TheStreet, providing insights on major developments in the crypto space.

However, his primary influence comes from his prominent X account, where he has amassed 1.8 million followers and frequently draws praise (and reposts) from Elon Musk. Nawfal’s X Spaces bring in more than 6 million listeners per week, and his posts have become a source of breaking news coverage for countless social media users as audiences increasingly turn away from mainstream outlets.

46. Chris Cuomo

Rounding out his second year with NewsNation, Chris Cuomo has established himself as a prominent voice for the growing audience of news consumers who have become disillusioned with the two-party system. Between his self-titled show on NewsNation and his podcast “The Chris Cuomo Project” (which boasts nearly half a million subscribers), Cuomo is steadily building an audience that may soon rival the one he had during his time at CNN.

Though still openly left-leaning on the political spectrum, Cuomo spent the 2024 election cycle calling out the Democratic Party as aggressively as he did their Republican opponents. In what may have been his standout moment of the year, he stood on the floor of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and called out the “game of money” that steers the American political system.

There is a reality at the DNC that is the same as the RNC. And what makes the parties the same should worry you the most and must change. pic.twitter.com/3x4ZQD02TO

— Christopher C. Cuomo (@ChrisCuomo) August 22, 2024

Cuomo also made many appearances alongside other notable media figures, including a sit down with Tucker Carlson and multiple appearances on the PBD Podcast, where he faced off in live debates against Dave Smith and Candace Owens. In late November, he sat for a rare exclusive interview with People Magazine, opening up about his past career struggles and his personal mental health journey.

Cuomo was also one of the leading sources for election night coverage, using NewsNation’s partnership with DecisionDeskHQ to become one of the first pundits to call the vote in Trump’s favor.

Earlier this month, Cuomo signed a new multi-year contract with NewsNation, ensuring that his position as a mainstay for the network will be secured well into the future.

45. Andrew Schulz

Another breakout success in the podcasting space, MTV star-turned-comedian-turned-podcaster Andrew Schulz has emerged as one of the leading figures in alternative personality-driven media. Between standup specials and media appearances, Schulz co-hosts two hit podcasts: “The Brilliant Idiots” with Charlamagne tha God and “Flagrant” with Akaash Singh.

Earlier this year, Schulz sat for a four-hour episode of “The Joe Rogan Experience,” and the conversation between the two comedy podcasting icons garnered over 5 million views.

But Schulz’s true standout moment of 2024 came on his own show when Donald Trump appeared on an episode of “Flagrant” as part of his pre-election podcast blitz. The episode has racked up over 9 million views, and Trump’s remarks on fatherhood, abortion rights, and the attempt on his life produced a number of viral clips for the show.

The blending of culture, comedy, and politics has proven to be a winning format for Schulz and his co-hosts, and since the election, he has made multiple episodes discussing the factors that led to the Democratic Party’s defeat.

44. Rumble + Chris Pavlovski

As alternative platforms continue to gain ground in the battle against mainstream media, Rumble has continued to lead the charge by serving as the primary rival to YouTube. Under the leadership of founder and CEO Chris Pavlovski, Rumble drew a record 1.79 million concurrent users during the 2024 election, surpassing many of its competitors.

In order to accommodate this rapid growth, Rumble implemented a number of technical innovations, beefing up its video streaming infrastructure while also expanding its cloud services.

At the beginning of the year, Rumble announced a partnership with Barstool Sports, which led to a 30% jump in stock valuation.

Then, in May, Rumble filed a lawsuit against YouTube parent company Alphabet, seeking $1 billion in damages for Google’s anti-competitive monopoly on web traffic.

43. Endeavor – Ari Emanuel & Mark Shapiro

Talent and media management company Endeavor Group Holdings continues to be an indisputable powerhouse within the media industry, holding a controlling stake in the UFC and WWE and managing some of the biggest names in news and entertainment. At the helm of the operation are CEO Ari Emanuel and President/COO Mark Shapiro, both of whom were named to Variety’s list of top dealmakers for 2024.

In 2023, Emanuel and Shapiro led a massive merger of the UFC and WWE through Endeavor offshoot TKO Holdings, and in early 2024, they closed a $5.2 billion 10-year deal to make Netflix the exclusive home of WWE’s “Raw.” The lucrative deal is set to take effect in January 2025. The pair are also said to have advised disgraced WWE promoter Vince McMahon to resign from his executive role at TKO after serious allegations of sexual misconduct were filed against him.

Other notable acquisitions for Endeavor in 2024 include sports agency IMG, hospitality business On Location, and the Professional Bull Riders league.

On the news media front, Emanuel and Shapiro represented MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow in finalizing a five-year, $25 million contract with the network—a $5 million pay cut from her previous contract, but a significantly higher amount than what has been afforded to other MSNBC hosts amid the network’s ratings decline.

42. Matt Drudge

In an era in which the news aggregation model has become increasingly popular, the Drudge Report still remains the undisputed champion, with elusive founder Matt Drudge continuing to defend his title as “Aggregator-in-Chief.” With millions of daily readers, the Drudge Report has been a media powerhouse since the late 1990s, using its sensationalized headlines and strategic editorializing to influence national political discourse.

During the 2024 election cycle, Drudge was in rare form, drawing an eye-popping 7 billion visits in the last year alone. Following the first (and ultimately only) debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, Drudge joined the chorus of voices calling for the aging incumbent to drop out in favor of a more viable candidate. He then shifted to loudly supporting Vice President Kamala Harris as Biden’s replacement.

At the same time, Drudge maintained his firm stance against Donald Trump, satirizing the former president with AI-generated images and mocking headlines. In one such instance, following Trump’s felony hush money conviction in New York, Drudge’s featured headline consisted simply of the word “guilty!” written in bright red 34 times—once for each count of Trump’s indictment.

Though his site primarily relies on mainstream sources for its content, Drudge paradoxically remains a prominent voice against the establishment media, providing a valuable resource for online audiences.

41. Bill Maher

As one of the most seasoned figures in network political commentary, Bill Maher has continued to provide insight and entertainment to a massive audience. Following Kamala Harris’ defeat in the 2024 election, Maher pulled no punches when assessing the Democratic loss, urging his fellow liberals to “look in the mirror” and distance themselves from the “anti-common sense woke agenda.”

Maher’s primary platform remains HBO’s “Real Time,” which premiered its 22nd season in January of this year. As always, the show featured a lineup of diverse and fascinating panelists to discuss current events and culture issues—often resulting in fiery clashes between guests and, in some cases, with Maher himself.

Meanwhile, “Club Random,” Maher’s venture into the world of podcasting, has emerged as a major platform for an equally diverse array of guests from across the political spectrum. Notable guests in 2024 have included comedians like Jerry Seinfeld, Whitney Cummings, and Bill Hurr, celebrities like Jane Fonda and Dr. Phil, and media personalities like Ben Shapiro, Jordan Peterson, and Stephen A. Smith. In February, Maher hosted Patrick Bet-David for a contentious but nonetheless fascinating interview that touched on everything from climate change to Gavin Newsom.

Earlier this year, Maher also announced that “Club Random” was expanding into its own studio, introducing a lineup of new shows hosted by a talent pool including former ESPN Sportscenter anchor Sage Steele.

40. Scott Jennings

A longtime political strategist and commentator, Scott Jennings is one of the only conservative figures brave enough to venture into the hostile territory of CNN—and perhaps the lone Republican able to go toe-to-toe with the network’s panels of left-leaning pundits.

As a regular CNN contributor, Jennings has developed a reputation for providing incisive conservative perspectives to CNN’s audience. During the 2024 election, as tensions flared and opinions stratified, Jennings engaged in bouts of legendary pugilistic punditry with fellow commentators on CNN’s “NewsNight,” producing viral moments with a characteristically level head.

Earlier this month, Jennings joined the editorial board of the Los Angeles Times at the invitation of owner Patrick Soon-Shiong, providing the publication with a more diverse lineup of contribtors. Soon after, The Washington Free Beacon named Jennings their Man of the Year for his strength of conviction against the onslaught of his liberal counterparts.

39. Lex Fridman

Through his eponymous podcast, AI expert and computer scientist Lex Fridman has continued to dominate the podcasting industry, somehow securing interviews with notable figures and world leaders that remain out of reach for others in alternative media.

After kicking off 2024 by hosting a debate between Ben Shapiro and Destiny, Fridman went on to hold interviews with Bill Ackman, Sam Altman, and Elon Musk, as well as heads of state like Donald Trump and Javier Milei.

In November, Fridman sparked international discussion by offering to interview Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Russian, possibly facilitating further discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Given his almost uncanny ability to arrange sit-downs with elusive guests, Fridman may be one of the few podcast hosts in the world capable of arranging such a meeting.

By the end of the year, Fridman’s YouTube channel boasts 4.45 million subscribers, with more being added every month. He has also emerged as a notable voice in AI development, using his PhD in computer science to influence the industry.

38. Jesse Watters

After taking over Tucker Carlson’s coveted 8 p.m. timeslot in mid-2023, Jesse Watters quickly built his primetime show into one of the top-rated programs in all of cable TV. Combined with his seat at the roundtable on “The Five,” the 46-year-old Fox News personality has the distinction of hosting both of the year’s most-viewed cable shows.

In April, shortly after the publication of his book Get It Together: Troubling Tales from the Liberal Fringe, Watters appeared on an episode of the PBD Podcast—the first active Fox News host to do so. His book went on to become a bestseller.

At various points during the year, Watters stoked controversy with tongue-in-cheek remarks about political and cultural events, suggesting in January that the relationship between singer Taylor Swift and NFL player Travis Kelce was a “psyop” orchestrated by the U.S. Department of Defense.

37. Dan Bongino

As a former Secret Service agent, Dan Bongio saw his already sizeable influence explode after the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. Through his incredibly popular Rumble-exclusive daily talk show (which currently boasts 3.46 million subscribers), Bongino provided insider analysis of the shooting alongside his usual political commentary.

As a mainstay of the conservative movement, Bongino has also made appearances at major Republican events like the Republican National Convention, and delivered keynote speeches at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) 2024 and multiple Turning Point USA events.

Bongino also visited the PBD Podcast just after the Republican primaries to discuss the state of the Trump campaign and the decline of cable news.

36. Ben Shapiro

As co-founder and primary public face of the Daily Wire, Ben Shapiro has continued to be an icon of the conservative movement, using his popular daily talk show to provide reliable coverage of politics and culture.

In 2024, Shapiro delivered several notable speeches across a wide array of venues, including a keynote at AmericaFest 2024, a guest lecture at Vanderbilt University, and, CPAC Argentina, where he praised the economic results of President Javier Milei.

Shapiro also made his music industry debut in January, featuring on Canadian rapper Tom MacDonald’s chart-topping single “Facts.” The song reached number one on iTunes and debuted at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Though Shapiro’s success in the last year was colored somewhat by his messy clashes with Tucker Carlson and former Daily Wire colleague Candace Owens on the subject of the Israel-Hamas war, he made great strides with the Trump campaign. Shapiro had notably abstained from voting in 2016 over his concerns about Trump’s agenda, but the intervening years have seen him embrace the once-and-future president. This year, Shapiro endorsed and then actively campaigned for Trump, even appearing alongside him at an event in October.

35. Megyn Kelly

As one of SiriusXM’s leading news personalities, Megyn Kelly boasts an audience of more than 3 million subscribers and frequently plays host to high-profile guests. Kelly spent the year diving into the day’s hottest cultural and political issues while also providing extensive coverage and analysis of the election cycle.

Once a mainstream news personality herself, Kelly spent considerable time attacking members of the media establishment for their coverage of the Trump campaign, most recently mocking ABC News and George Stephanopoulos over their $15 million defamation settlement with the former president.

2024 also marked the year when Kelly officially buried the hatchet with Donald Trump. During his first run for office, Trump infamously suggested that Kelly, then a debate moderator for Fox News, was only hammering him with questions because she was on her period. After several years of softening opinions toward one another, Kelly openly came out as a MAGA supporter the day before the election.

34. Piers Morgan

Piers Morgan kicked off the year with the unexpected decision to ditch the Murdoch-backed TalkTV in favor of YouTube, citing a desire for more creative flexibility and a format for long-form interviews. This was arguably the best career move Morgan has made since leaving “Good Morning Britain” in 2021, because “Piers Morgan Uncensored” quickly shot up to 3.5 million subscribers and is now one of the most oft-discussed independent political talk shows in the world.

Now broadcasting exclusively on YouTube, Morgan’s show is perhaps best known for explosive confrontations between guests. Though Morgan often remains neutral during these verbal sparring matches, he is not opposed to wading into controversial subjects, sparking heated moments with guests like Dan Bilzerian and Candace Owens.

Frequent guests include some of the biggest names in both right- and left-wing media, and Morgan has even played host to Valuetainment icons Patrick Bet-David and Vincent Oshana.

33. Pat McAfee

2024 marked another banner year for NFL punter-turned-sports analyst Pat McAfee, whose self-titled show on ESPN continues to rack up record viewership. “The Pat McAfee Show” has 2.7 million YouTube subscribers and 3.1 million followers on X, and McAfee is credited with expanding ESPN’s relevance to younger audiences.

In October, an interview with NFL star Aaron Rodgers discussing a potential reunion with former teammate Davante Adams garnered unprecedented viewership, with over 50 million views across various platforms, marking it as the most-watched episode in the history of the show

McAfee also expanded his role as a sports commentator, returning to the WWE after a hiatus to focus on his role as an analyst for “College Game Day.”

Additionally, though no official sources have confirmed the matter, speculation arose this year that McAfee might have an interest in becoming the coach at West Virginia University, his alma mater. Given the vacancy created earlier this month after the firing of head coach Neal Brown, fans view this as a prime opportunity for McAfee to expand into a new role.

32. Candace Owens

Following her explosive departure from the Daily Wire in March, Candace Owens became one of the year’s most controversial figures in right-wing media. Owens relaunched her personal YouTube channel in June, quickly surging to 3.3 million subscribers by year’s end.

Since then, Owens has produced her solo show, providing her own unique takes on current events and hosting an ever-growing list of guests across the political spectrum—many of whom, like herself, are too controversial to be platformed elsewhere. Such guests have included Andrew Tate, Alex Jones, and, most recently, a survivor of the attack on the USS Liberty.

Owens’ frequent criticism of Israel and Zionist influence over the American government earned her the title of “Antisemite of the Year” from watchdog group StopAntisemitism, though Owens has mockingly accepted the condemnation as a badge of honor.

Owens’ controversial reputation has also led to international ramifications, with the governments of Australia and New Zealand denying her travel visas for a speaking tour in October. New Zealand has since reversed the decision.

31. Dave Portnoy

After reclaiming his position as CEO of Barstool Sports in 2023, Dave Portnoy has led a return to form for the iconic brand, helping it to maintain it as a platform for comprehensive sports coverage and “bro culture.”

Barstool spent 2024 providing insights and analysis into every aspect of the sports world, and also celebrated notable talent acquisitions, including former NFL coach Jon Gruden.

Meanwhile, Portnoy expanded his personal reach into new areas, including philanthropic endeavors like raising $1.5 million for the family of slain NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller and donating $60,000 to a struggling veteran-owned pizzeria in Baltimore after sampling their food for his pizza review series.

Portnoy also bet big on the burgeoning sports betting industry, placing a $100,000 bet on the University of Alabama to win the College Football Playoff National Championship.

30. Bret Baier

Already a respected news anchor and host within the Fox News talent pool, Bret Baier earned further accolades in 2024 after putting what was perhaps the final nail in the coffin of Kamala Harris’ presidential ambitions.

In October, Baier hosted the vice president for one of the only oppositional interviews of her campaign—and the outcome of this 30-minute sit-down proved why she likely took so long to do so.  During the contentious interview, Baier hammered an increasingly flustered Harris on a number of subjects, exposing significant weaknesses in her policy proposals in front of an audience of 7.8 million possible voters.

Baier also had the distinction of co-anchoring Fox News’ election night coverage, which became the most-watched broadcast on all cable networks.

In February—just days after Tucker Carlson’s controversial interview with Vladimir Putin—Baier traveled to Ukraine for an interview with Volodymyr Zelensky near the front lines of the war.

Then, in March, Baier was selected for membership in the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans. This prestigious award honors individuals who have succeeded despite facing adversities and are committed to higher education and charitable efforts.

29. Alex Cooper & “Call Her Daddy”

After launching her podcasting career under the Barstool umbrella, Alex Cooper’s “Call Her Daddy” podcast quickly climbed the charts as one of the country’s top-ranked shows.

In 2023, Cooper was a driving force behind Spotify’s success with female audiences, and the following year proved to be no different. However, 2024 marked the end of Cooper’s three-year, $60 million exclusivity deal with Spotify. In August, she announced that she had entered into a new agreement with Sirius XM to the tune of $125 million, showing just how much cultural weight her raunchy advice podcast has behind it.

This year also saw Cooper make her first official foray into the realm of politics in October, becoming the first and only major podcast to score an interview with Kamala Harris.

During the 40-minute episode, Harris and Cooper discussed a variety of women’s issues, including abortion access and domestic violence prevention, while notably avoiding more politically fraught subjects like immigration and the government response to Hurricane Helene, which was dominating the news cycle that week.

Though the interview seemed to have been largely unsuccessful in swaying key demographics to Harris’ side, the mere fact that Cooper was the only podcast to be given such an honor has positioned her to be a major player in future election cycles.

Separately, Cooper announced a partnership with Nestlé for the creation of “Unwell Hydration,” a beverage line focused on women’s wellness. The drinks are set to exclusively hit Target store shelves in January 2025.

28. Theo Von

Another comedian turned successful podcaster, Theo Von gained critical acclaim with his podcast “This Past Weekend,” which ranked as the fourth most popular podcast globally on Spotify this year.

Through his unique blend of humor and candid emotions, Von has been at the forefront of the alternative media’s rise.

In 2024, Von landed interviews with a wide array of political figures, including Senators Bernie Sanders and JD Vance.

Von also hosted Donald Trump during his podcast tour, racking up 15 million views and making the interview the second most viewed episode of “This Past Weekend.”

Von is also in the process of collaborating with comedian and actor David Spade on a film project, which is scheduled to begin production in Los Angeles in early 2025.

27. Nelk Boys & “Full Send Podcast”

During an election cycle in which key demographics were in play like never before, the “Full Send Podcast,” hosted by the group of YouTube stars known as the Nelk Boys, proved instrumental in reaching young male voters.

During the summer, the Nelk Boys launched their “Send the Vote” campaign, a $20 million voter registration and outreach program emphasizing social media engagement and partnerships with influencers to mobilize support. They also actively participated in political events, rallying in support of Donald Trump, who they would later host for a third time in October.

Other notable interviews for the channel included Dr. Phil, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Stephen A. Smith, and multiple personalities from the Daily Wire.

26. Stephen A. Smith

As one of the leading names in sports media, Stephen A. Smith stands comfortably at the nexus of entertainment and politics. 2024 saw the continued success of ESPN’s “First Take,” but the show’s two-year run of record ratings has opened the door for Smith to explore broader commentary beyond the sports world.

Via his personal YouTube channel—which has over 1 million subscribers—Smith provided commentary on the 2024 election, expressing regret over his vote for Vice President Kamala Harris and an openness to considering Republican candidates in the future.

“The Stephen A. Smith Show” is now evenly split between sports news and current events ranging from the New Jersey drones to the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

As of December 2024, Smith is reportedly in the process of finalizing a six-year, $120 million contract extension with ESPN, which would solidify his status as one of the highest-paid talents in sports media.

Eager for more rankings? Check out the VT 50 from 2023 to see who climbed the list this year!

25. The View

Currently in its 28th season, ABC’s “The View” is the show the right wing absolutely loves to hate. Hosted by Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, Alyssa Farah Griffin, and Ana Navarro, the show provides conservative talking heads with a seemingly never-ending source of content thanks to the hosts’ political hot takes and off-the-cuff remarks.

However, “The View” is also a success in its own right, averaging 2.5 million viewers per episode, making it the most-watched daytime talk show.

In September, Joe Biden became the first sitting president to appear on “The View,” using the opportunity to stump for Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign. Harris herself joined the show the following month, resulting in what is widely regarded as one of her biggest campaign blunders. When asked if there was anything she would have done differently from President Biden in the past four years, she responded, “Not a thing comes to mind.” This moment quickly went viral and was seen as the moment her campaign took a turn for the worse.

24. Sean Hannity

As has been the case for more than a decade, Sean Hannity remained a ratings goldmine for Fox News this year, defending his time slot against all other network competitors. In the third quarter of 2024, Fox News achieved its second-highest ratings in history, with “Hannity” contributing significantly to this success.

At the same time, Hannity’s nationally syndicated radio show is broadcast across the country by roughly 750 stations, reaching an audience of millions of listeners.

In addition to his existing shows, Hannity expanded his media repertoire by announcing a new long-form interview show titled “Sean.” This series, which will release on FOX Nation, will feature longer sit-downs with notable personalities and celebrities, including Sylvester Stallone, Stephen A. Smith, and Jillian Michaels. The premiere episode, featuring the interview with Stallone, was released earlier this month.

23. Matt Walsh

Daily Wire host Matt Walsh broke new ground for the network in 2024 with the release of “Am I Racist?”, a mockumentary-style film critiquing the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) industry. This marked the first Daily Wire film project to have a theatrical release, and the film grossed $4.5 million in its opening weekend, making it one of the top-grossing documentaries of the decade.

Walsh also continued his successful daily political commentary show, with his YouTube audience growing to 3.13 million subscribers.

At the same time, Walsh has proven himself to be an effective activist for conservative causes, most recently speaking at a rally outside the US Supreme Court during a landmark hearing on underage gender transition procedures.

The hearing itself was an indirect byproduct of Walsh’s previous investigative reporting on transgender procedures being performed at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, which led to direct action by the Tennessee state legislature.

22. Greg Gutfeld

“Gutfeld!”, hosted by longtime Fox favorite Greg Gutfeld, continues to beat out every other late-night talk show, proving that the panel-based political comedy show has built a winning format.

On July 15, “Gutfeld!” achieved its highest-rated episode to date, attracting 3.6 million viewers—many of them traditional Democrats and Independents. This episode followed the attempted assassination of Donald Trump and was the first live broadcast from the 2024 Republican National Convention.

The show’s viewership peaked again on September 18, when Trump himself appeared as a panelist, drawing 4.9 million concurrent viewers.

Separately, Gutfeld maintained his role as a co-host on “The Five,” the most-watched show in cable news. This means that Gutfeld arguably has a bigger audience than any other network host.

In April, Gutfeld signed a new deal with Fox News, reflecting the network’s confidence in his continued success and popularity.

21. Charlie Kirk

Already a respected icon within the conservative movement, Charlie Kirk reached new heights during the 2024 election cycle.

Kirk’s nationwide “You’re Being Brainwashed” campus tour saw the Turning Point USA founder visit approximately 25 college campuses, aiming to engage and mobilize young voters. This initiative generated substantial online traction, with TPUSA reporting around two billion viral views on social media via a successful short-form content strategy. Analysts credit this tour with playing a critical role in the 2024 presidential election, contributing to Donald Trump’s reelection by energizing the youth vote.

Additionally, TPUSA’s voter outreach program, “Chase the Vote,” focused on increasing voter turnout among young conservatives and low-propensity Republican voters in key battleground states. The program’s success is evident in the precinct-level data, indicating a significant impact on the 2024 election results.

Under Kirk’s leadership, TPUSA expanded its presence to over 3,500 high school and college campuses nationwide. The organization’s revenue saw a substantial increase, from $4.3 million in 2016 to $81.7 million in 2023, per the latest numbers, reflecting its growing influence in promoting conservative values among young Americans.

Kirk’s personal podcast, “The Charlie Kirk Show,” has built a respectable following and has consistently ranked among the top news podcasts, reaching #13 on Apple Podcasts for news.

2024 concluded with Turning Point’s AmericaFest in Phoenix, Arizona, pulling a star-studded lineup of speakers and guests including Donald Trump, Tucker Carlson, Ben Shapiro, and Patrick Bet-David.

20. Paul Brothers

As successful in sports as they are in entertainment, Jake and Logan Paul both marked major milestones in their respective careers in 2024.

In November, Jake Paul secured a unanimous decision win against boxing legend Mike Tyson in Arlington, Texas. This highly anticipated bout marked Tyson’s return to the ring after 19 years and attracted over 108 million viewers worldwide. Despite facing criticism for fighting an older opponent, Paul’s victory further solidified his presence in professional boxing.

Meanwhile, Logan Paul won the WWE United States Championship, then announced his retirement from professional wrestling a short time later.

However, Logan’s standout moment of the year was not his performance in the ring, but rather in front of the camera. In June 2024, former President Donald Trump appeared on Logan’s podcast, “Impaulsive,” engaging in a wide-ranging discussion that included topics such as the 2024 election, debates with President Joe Biden, and the possibility of a boxing match between the Paul brothers.

While Jake did not host Donald Trump on his own podcast, he gave Trump his resounding endorsement and actively promoted his brother’s interview, which has since drawn 6.8 million views.

19. Tucker Carlson

Tucker Carlson started 2024 with a bang, traveling all the way to Moscow in February for an unprecedented interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

While the conversation did little to disprove longstanding accusations that the former Fox News host is a Russian sympathizer, it did cement Carlson’s new place as an undeniable force in independent media.

In the ensuing months, during which Carlson formally debuted “The Tucker Carlson Show” as a weekly YouTube program, he hosted interviews with dozens of high-profile guests and controversial figures, digging deep into subjects his former employers would likely have advised him to avoid.

Carlson also embarked on a worldwide speaking tour, which included a stop at the Australian Freedom Conference and culminated in a speech at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

18. MrBeast

2024 proved to be a particularly eventful year for Jimmy Donaldson, aka MrBeast…and not always in a good way.

In July 2024, Donaldson’s YouTube channel surpassed 300 million subscribers, making him the most-subscribed individual creator on the platform. This achievement was marked by a unique trophy from YouTube in recognition of his unprecedented growth. He also topped Forbes’ 2024 Top Creators list, earning an estimated $85 million, making him the highest-paid YouTuber of the year. In June, the 26-year-old content creator officially became a billionaire.

However, in September, a leaked internal memo revealed details about Donaldson’s management style, emphasizing “obsessive” work ethics and “extreme” content creation. This sparked concerns about workplace culture within his organization. This controversy was further compounded by issues during the production of “Beast Games,” Donaldson’s reality competition series co-produced by Amazon MGM Studios. Donaldson’s production company faced allegations of mistreating contestants and neglecting safety standards during filming, leading to legal challenges and public scrutiny.

Nevertheless, the MrBeast brand remains one of the strongest in the world, and Donaldson’s ventures are projected to generate $700 million in revenue for the year.

17. Spotify

Spotify remained the incontestable leader of the content streaming industry in 2024, and the platform’s growth and profitability prove that the competition isn’t close.

Spotify’s stock experienced a remarkable surge, rising by 144% over the year. This growth was driven by strong financial results and strategic initiatives that enhanced investor confidence. The company also projected a higher-than-expected operating income for the fourth quarter, indicating a trajectory toward sustained profitability. This positive outlook was attributed to effective cost-cutting measures and steady user growth.

By the third quarter, Spotify added six million new premium subscribers, bringing the total to 252 million worldwide. Additionally, the platform reached 640 million monthly active users, surpassing analyst expectations and reflecting its expanding global reach.

Meanwhile, CEO Daniel Ek’s net worth reached approximately $6.7 billion, making him wealthier than any musician in history. Ek, along with other Spotify executives and board members, sold shares worth $1.25 billion in 2024, capitalizing on the company’s strong stock performance.

Under Ek’s leadership, Spotify implemented cost-cutting measures, including layoffs and reductions in podcast content, to enhance profitability. These strategies contributed to improved financial metrics, such as a gross margin of 31.1% in the third quarter.

16. Dana White & the UFC

In recent years, the UFC has positioned itself perfectly at the intersection of sports and politics, becoming both a leading source of entertainment and a safe haven for right-leaning figures generally condemned by other sporting leagues.

A close ally and confidant of Donald Trump, UFC CEO Dana White was particularly politically active in 2024, campaigning alongside the former president and speaking at the RNC in Milwaukee. White’s involvement is credited with boosting Trump’s popularity with younger male voters.

However, following Trump’s victory in the November 2024 presidential election, White announced his intention to withdraw from political involvement. He expressed his disillusionment with the political process, describing it as “gross” and “disgusting,” and stated, “I’m never doing this again.”

White was named among the “Most Influential People in Sports Business” for 2024, acknowledging his pivotal role in the UFC’s success and his impact on the sports industry at large.

In April, the UFC celebrated its 300th numbered event, featuring a stacked card with twelve current or former champions. Then, in September, the UFC hosted a landmark event at The Sphere in Las Vegas. Headlined by Sean O’Malley versus Merab Dvalishvili, UFC 306 set new records, including the highest gate revenue of $22 million, surpassing previous records. The event also achieved the highest merchandise sales and became The Sphere’s biggest gate, showcasing the UFC’s ability to deliver unparalleled live experiences.

Throughout 2024, the UFC consistently broke arena records, reflecting the sport’s growing popularity and the organization’s ability to attract large audiences across various venues.

15. Taylor Swift

Though previously an undeniable icon of the music industry, Taylor Swift cemented her status as one of the most significant musical talents of her generation in 2024. Swift’s Eras Tour—which kicked off in 2023 and seemed to last a literal era—became the highest-grossing tour in history, with reports indicating it grossed over $1 billion. The tour’s economic impact was significant, boosting local economies and even causing seismic-like events due to enthusiastic fan participation.

In February, Swift made history by winning her fourth Album of the Year award at the Grammys for Midnights, becoming the first artist to achieve this feat.

Then, in April, Swift released her eleventh studio album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, marking Swift’s 12th chart-topping album. It spent 17 weeks atop the chart, becoming her longest-running number-one album. Additionally, Swift became the first artist to monopolize the top 14 spots on the Billboard Hot 100, with the lead single “Fortnight,” featuring Post Malone, debuting at number one. “The Tortured Poets Department” broke streaming records, becoming the first album to amass 1 billion Spotify streams in a week. It also topped charts internationally, including in the UK, where it secured the biggest opening week in seven years.

In December, Swift won 10 awards at the Billboard Music Awards, bringing her total to 49 and making her the most decorated artist in the show’s history.

However, despite her record-setting impact on the culture, Swift’s endorsement of Kamala Harris ultimately fell flat and, according to some estimates, may actually have convinced some voters to stop supporting the vice president, proving that even Swift’s borderline-godlike popularity has its limits.

14. Cristiano Ronaldo

After yet another impressive season that saw him score his 900th career goal, soccer legend Cristiano Ronaldo is also emerging as a surprising media star.

In August 2024, Ronaldo launched his YouTube channel, “UR Cristiano,” which became the fastest-growing channel on the platform, amassing over 10 million subscribers within 24 hours. The channel offers fans an intimate look into his life beyond football, featuring content about his family, personal views, and collaborations with surprise guests.

Though Ronaldo is not known for venturing into political discussions or cultural issues, the massive success of his YouTube channel suggests that it may become a valuable asset in the years to come.

13. The New York Times

Though the reputation of the “paper of record” has been tarnished in recent years alongside the rest of the legacy media, the impact of the New York Times cannot be overlooked, particularly in an election year.

In one of the most politically impactful moments of the 2024 election, the Times ran an op-ed from actor George Clooney in July, in which the influential celebrity urged Joe Biden to drop out of the presidential race after his disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump. Sources have since confirmed that Clooney was in communication with Barack Obama prior to writing the piece, indicating that the leadership of the Democratic Party agreed with Clooney’s position. Thus, the Times essentially became the battleground where Biden’s weakened candidacy met its end, and Clooney’s pen may have been the sword that dealt the killing blow.

Outside of the election, the Times received multiple Pulitzer Prizes for its reporting on the Israel-Hamas war, child trafficking in the United States, and a moving feature written by contributor Katie Engelhart.

The Times also reported robust financial results in 2024, with net income rising by 41% to $65.5 million and revenue increasing by 5.8% to $625.1 million.

12. OpenAI, ChatGPT

Few technological innovations have revolutionized the media space to the same degree of ChatGPT, OpenAI’s flagship large language model. Everything from writing and research to content creation and distribution have been completely reshaped by the advent of advanced AI—and the industry shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon.

After the dramatic firing and sudden rehiring of CEO Sam Altman in late 2023, OpenAI saw significant internal restructuring in the early days of this year, paving the way for the company’s enduring success.

OpenAI completed a historic funding round in 2024, valuing the company at $157 billion, reflecting investor confidence in its AI advancements and market potential.

In May 2024, OpenAI introduced GPT-4o (“o” for “omni”), a multimodal model capable of processing and generating text, images, and audio. GPT-4o demonstrated state-of-the-art performance in multilingual and vision benchmarks, setting new records in audio speech recognition and translation.

By December 2024, ChatGPT’s user base expanded to over 300 million weekly users, with more than 1 billion messages exchanged daily, underscoring ChatGPT’s widespread adoption and integration into daily workflows. That same month, Apple announced plans to incorporate ChatGPT into Siri with the upcoming iOS 18.2 update, potentially broadening ChatGPT’s user base and functionality.

11. Bob Iger & Disney

Though Disney has fallen far from its glory days in decades past, the House of Mouse remains an undeniable powerhouse with its influence spread throughout the media and entertainment sectors. At its helm is Bob Iger, the man credited with many of Disney’s major successes…and the man blamed for many of its biggest failures.

Disney’s annual profits more than doubled, reaching $4.97 billion in fiscal 2024, up from $2.35 billion the previous year. This growth was driven by improvements in the streaming segment and effective cost management, both of which have happened under Iger’s watch.

Disney’s streaming services, including Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+, achieved profitability for the first time, reporting an operating income of $321 million, a significant turnaround from previous losses.

Under Iger’s leadership, Disney released several successful films, including “Inside Out 2,” “Deadpool & Wolverine,” and “Moana 2,” each contributing to strong box office performances and reinforcing Disney’s position in the entertainment industry. Other projects, including the live-action “Snow White” remake, have been PR nightmares for the company, with non-stop reshoots, problematic stars, and negative public sentiment slowing down production.

Iger is expected to announce his (second) retirement from Disney by 2026, and a search for his successor is already underway, with an official candidate expected to be announced sometime in 2025.

10. Jeff Bezos & The Washington Post

The editorial board of the Washington Post sent shockwaves through the political world in late October after announcing that they would not be making an endorsement in the 2024 election, instead returning to the paper’s roots of neutrality. The ensuing blowback led to the resignations of several high-ranking executives and the loss of 8% of the paper’s 2.5 million subscribers—but even so, the publication held firm in its commitment.

Meanwhile, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who owns the Post, defended the shocking non-endorsement and even suggested that he might look to include more conservative voices at the outlet.

Despite the backlash, the Post went on to provide comprehensive coverage of the election and received several accolades, including five Online Journalism Awards and two Gerald Loeb Awards, reflecting excellence in digital journalism and business reporting.

9. TikTok

In 2024, TikTok continued to be one of the most revolutionary social media platforms in the world, forever changing the way people consume content. Younger generations have flocked to the platform, drawn by viral challenges, dance trends, and addictive short-form content, forcing politicians and businesses to follow.

During the election cycle, both major political parties made a play for the youth vote by deploying armies of influencers and content creators—Democrats with significantly more success than Republicans.

TikTok was also once again at the center of political controversy, with lawmakers divided over whether to use the app themselves, force the Chinese owners to sell it, or simply ban it outright. Shou Zi Chew, CEO of TikTok parent company Bytedance, actively engaged with policymakers, including a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump, to address these issues and advocate for the platform’s continued operation in the US.

Chew represented TikTok at the APEC CEO Summit 2024 in Peru, delivering a keynote address on November 15. His participation emphasized TikTok’s commitment to global economic discussions and digital innovation. Chew was also named an honorary chair for the 2024 Met Gala, reflecting TikTok’s growing influence in the fashion and cultural sectors.

Though TikTok is far less pro-free speech than X, it played a key role in giving users access to information from sources other than the mainstream, continuing the trend of audiences adopting alternative outlets.

TikTok emerged as a leading platform for sports content, especially during major events like the Paris Olympics, which garnered nearly 50 billion views. The platform’s user base in Spain exceeded 20 million, with significant engagement in sports-related content.

Additionally, the app’s live shopping feature experienced remarkable success, generating $100 million in sales on Black Friday 2024, underscoring TikTok’s growing influence in the social shopping and e-commerce sectors.

8. Netflix

Netflix, the original king of streaming, retained its crown for another year in 2024. Its global subscriber base surpassed 280 million, solidifying its status as the world’s largest streaming platform, and the company reported substantial revenue growth, driven by controversial initiatives such as cracking down on password sharing and introducing an ad-supported tier.

In January 2024, Netflix secured a 10-year deal worth over $5 billion to stream WWE’s ‘Monday Night Raw,’ marking a significant expansion into live sports entertainment. This was also reflected in Netflix’s coverage of live NFL games on Christmas Day, which attracted approximately 24 million viewers…and may ultimately lead to another price increase. Other notable live events included the 30^th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards and a highly-anticipated boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson.

As a result of these new innovations, Netflix’s stock experienced a significant surge, with a market capitalization approaching $400 billion, reflecting investor confidence in its strategic direction.

7. Tim Cook & Apple

Though the majority of Apple’s considerable power and resources are not directed at the media industry, the company’s impact on it is nonetheless noteworthy. In fact, there’s a good chance the device you’re using to read this very list was manufactured by Apple—and if that doesn’t count as influence, we don’t know what does.

Under the leadership of Tim Cook, Apple has continued to expand its product line beyond the iPhone, launching products like the Apple Watch and building up the company’s online services business, such as online storage and music. Cook’s focus on innovation and expanding Apple’s product ecosystem has been instrumental in the company’s sustained growth.

In addition to the expected updates to its product line—the rollout of the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro, new versions of the MacBook, and updates to the latest AirPods—Apple leaned heavily into the AI sector in 2024. At the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June 2024, Apple introduced its AI system, Apple Intelligence. This initiative marked a significant step in integrating AI across Apple’s product ecosystem, enhancing functionalities and user experiences.

The company’s market capitalization approached the $4 trillion mark, driven by strong iPhone sales and investor enthusiasm for AI advancements. Analysts attributed this growth to the successful integration of AI features in Apple’s latest products, positioning the company for continued financial success.

6. Mark Zuckerberg

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s dramatic self-reinvention continued apace in 2024, most notably taking the form of a surprising political shift.

After spending the latter part of 2023 building an elaborate doomsday bunker in Hawaii, Zuckerberg appeared before Congress to discuss the failure of his social media platforms to address sexual exploitation and child trafficking—mistakes for which he freely apologized. In July, just days after the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, Zuckerberg described the former president’s iconic fist pump as “one of the most badass things I’ve ever seen in my life,” indicating a newfound respect for the man he had previously deplatformed.

Later in the year, Zuckerberg revealed that senior Biden administration officials pressured Facebook to censor certain COVID-19 content, including humor and satire, during the pandemic, and expressed regret for not being more outspoken about the issue. By year’s end, Zuckerberg, now embracing a Libertarian philosophy, allowed Meta to donate $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund.

Through this notable shift in political alignment, Zuckerberg seems to be making a genuine attempt to ensure his platforms are aligned with the incoming Trump administration, which could be promising for the state of free speech on Facebook and Instagram in the near future.

Outside the realm of politics, Zuckerberg became the world’s second-richest person in October 2024, overtaking Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, with a net worth of approximately $206 billion. This achievement was driven by a significant increase in Meta’s stock value, reflecting investor confidence in the company’s strategic direction.

Zuckerberg was also named among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in AI for 2024, acknowledging his leadership in advancing AI technologies and their integration into Meta’s products and services.

Honorable Mentions

Before we reveal our Top 5, here are a few other names worthy of recognition for their contributions to the world of media:

• Rasmussen & AtlasIntel – With a reputation for being some of the most accurate pollsters in the business, these two groups kept voters informed in the run-up to the election and correctly predicted the results on November 5. Additionally, their research contributed heavily to Valuetainment’s “Decision 2024,” which provided comprehensive coverage of every major development leading up to the general election.
• Producers of “Quiet on Set” – When this hit docuseries dropped on HBO in March, it dominated the conversation for weeks. Shocking allegations about the biggest names at Nickelodeon, coupled with previously unknown testimony from former child star Drake Bell, exposed a hidden dark side to the shows that many of us grew up on. With former Nickelodeon producer Dan Schneider now suing the makers of the series for defamation, the final chapter of “Quiet on Set” may still lie ahead.
• Alternative Historians – Given the shocking breakdown in institutional credibility revealed in recent years, it’s no wonder that audiences are beginning to question everything—including established narratives about the history of humanity and the earth itself. Amidst this upheaval, alternative historians like Graham Hancock, Randall Carlson, and others once banished to the fringes of their area of study are now having their moment in the spotlight, becoming frequent and popular guests on major podcasts.
• Joy Reid – Like the hosts of “The View,” Joy Reid was one of the most popular targets for right-wing media, with hot takes and monologues from her show frequently being played on other major platforms. Ironically, this ensures that her notoriety continues to grow almost in spite of herself. While Reid and her fellow MSNBC hosts are currently suffering from tanking ratings and an impending pay cut, many on the right would almost certainly find themselves that much shorter on content were she to be taken off the air permanently.
• Harry Sisson – As Gen Z steadily comes of age and begins participating in national politics, both political parties are eager to capitalize on the new crop of voters. In 2024, the Democratic strategy for pulling votes from this age group revolved around Harry Sisson, a 21-year-old college student known for his overwhelming support for Joe Biden and his enormous TikTok following. Though Biden ultimately never made it to election day and Sisson saw only middling success in whipping up the Gen Z vote for Kamala Harris, he managed to build himself a significant platform and position himself as a notable political influencer.
• Bari Weiss & The Free Press – After a major round of funding this year, The Free Press is now valued at nearly $100 million, making it a major player in independent media. During the election cycle, the outlet hosted several high-profile debates and published commentary and analysis from prominent figures like Peggy Noonan and Peter Thiel. The Press also made a number of critical hires late in the year, including Charles Lane, a 25-year veteran of The Washington Post, to be deputy editor, and Dennis K. Berman, former Wall Street Journal editor, to serve as its first publisher and president. The outlet’s rapid growth and influence have attracted the attention of additional investors, positioning it to continue expanding in the coming years.

5. Fox News

In a year that has seen several notable news outlets teetering on the edge of bankruptcy and countless others facing mass layoffs and declining ratings, Fox News stands as the one notable exception.

The 2024 election was a ratings bonanza for Fox. With shows like “Gutfeld!” and “The Five” pushing the daily numbers even higher, the network captured 52% of total day viewers and 53% of the primetime audience during the third quarter of 2024.

Fox News provided comprehensive coverage of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, projecting Donald Trump’s victory over Kamala Harris ahead of other networks. This early projection was announced by anchor Bret Baier at 1:46 a.m. ET. The network’s election coverage attracted substantial audiences, contributing to its highest ratings in history. In the third quarter of 2024, Fox News surpassed ABC and CBS, maintaining its status as the top-rated primetime cable news network for 91 consecutive quarters.

Fox also achieved its highest July ratings ever, averaging approximately 3.5 million primetime viewers. This performance significantly outpaced competitors CNN and MSNBC, which garnered 856,000 and 1.2 million viewers, respectively.

Though alternative media sources were able to rival most of the major networks for online coverage during election season, few managed to compete with Fox, proving that while mainstream media may be losing its grip on the political system, the hold of the Murdoch family remains as strong as ever.

4. Joe Rogan

Among the independent podcasters that have risen up to challenge the mainstream media for dominance, one name stands above them all. Joe Rogan, host of “The Joe Rogan Experience,” once again took home the crown for Spotify’s #1 podcast—a title the comedian has held for the last five years running.

Rogan began the year by securing a new $250 million contract with the streaming giant, making him the single highest-paid podcaster in the business. This mutually beneficial arrangement means that Spotify will continue to host Rogan’s content, thereby gaining access to his colossal audience, which averages 11 million viewers per episode. In the negotiation, Rogan also managed to lift the existing exclusivity clause, allowing him to upload his old content to YouTube as well, expanding his audience even further.

Rogan’s lineup of notable guests in 2024 is too extensive to list, but by far his most impactful moment came just before the election when, at long last, he hosted Donald Trump. The interview pulled in 26 million views on YouTube in the first 24 hours and currently stands at 53 million—and that doesn’t even factor in views on other platforms. Trump received Rogan’s full endorsement after the episode aired, and the effect this had on election night cannot be understated.

Attempts to extend a similar invitation to Kamala Harris were unsuccessful, with the Harris campaign refusing to travel to Rogan’s Austin studio or allow the sit-down to last for longer than 60 minutes.

Rogan’s influence on the 2024 election definitively proves the ascendancy of alternative media, producing results the mainstream could never even hope to match.

3. Alphabet, Google, & YouTube

While the media establishment may be on the ropes after the 2024 election, the most powerful entity in the tech world still looms over it all. Alphabet, the restructured parent company of Google, YouTube, and dozens of other tech platforms, plays an unquestionable role in shaping the media landscape, reportedly even determining what kind of content the public can consume.

Despite its troublesome reputation for imbalanced content moderation, YouTube remains the home for much of the alternative media, meaning that these outsiders often make their livelihood through the very establishment they seek to dismantle.

YouTube’s combined advertising and subscription revenue over the past four quarters reached $50 billion, marking a significant return on investment since Google’s acquisition of the platform in 2006.

In 2024, Alphabet reported a 15% increase in revenue for the third quarter of 2024, reaching $88.3 billion, surpassing Wall Street’s expectations. This growth was driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technology, which enhanced cloud computing sales and search engine advertising. The company’s net income for the same period rose by 34% to $26.3 billion, reflecting the successful integration of AI across its services.

Alphabet’s commitment to AI was evident, with more than a quarter of new code at Google being generated by AI as of the third quarter of 2024. This integration has been pivotal in enhancing product offerings and operational efficiency.

However, things were far from perfect for Alphabet this year. The company faced intense regulatory scrutiny, culminating in a court ruling that it holds a monopoly in general search services and text advertising. In November, the Department of Justice began pushing for the sale of Google Chrome as the first step in breaking up the monopoly.

2. Donald Trump

During his appearance on the PBD Podcast in mid-October, then-presidential candidate Donald Trump boasted that he would be the man who killed the mainstream media. Less than a month later, he made good on his promise.

After spending most of the year facing down an endless onslaught of criminal and civil charges in courtrooms across the country, Trump pulled off one of the greatest political comebacks in US history, securing himself a second term in the White House.

But in the process, Trump also proved that the mainstream media’s control over the election process is at its end. While Kamala Harris relied on friendly media outlets and liberal pundits to relay her message, Trump launched a successful podcast campaign, visiting some of the biggest names in the business to bring his message directly to key demographics.

In the months before election day, Trump joined Logan Paul, Andrew Schulz, Theo Von, Aiden Ross, the Nelk Boys, Patrick Bet-David, and even Joe Rogan, elevating each of their platforms to national attention with his very presence.

President-elect Trump was carried to a smashing victory in large part by independent podcasters, and the political establishment has finally started to take notice.

1. Elon Musk

Though Elon Musk is hardly a surprise pick for the number one spot on this list, the full scope of what the Tesla and SpaceX CEO has managed to accomplish in the last year is enough to boggle the mind.

Musk’s accomplishments in the tech and business world range from SpaceX’s unprecedented launch and retrieval of its Super Heavy rocket booster to Tesla’s showcase of new autonomous vehicles—but it was his role in media that truly set him apart this year.

Musk’s historic buyout of Twitter in 2022 was already a major win for the cause of free speech, but the full scope of that purchase was perhaps hard to fully appreciate until the 2024 election cycle. Where once the online media space was riddled with accusations of censorship and government pressure, X emerged as a shining example of free speech, warts and all. The platform is far from perfect, as any user can attest, but given where things stood during the 2020 election, the current crop of issues is far preferable to what Twitter once was.

Musk gave his full endorsement to Trump hours after the former president survived an assassin’s bullet in Butler, Pennsylvania, and from that day on, the eccentric billionaire was an enthusiastic MAGA supporter.

Musk’s steady stream of daily X posts, combined with the unfettered flow of information offered by his platform, created a media landscape that mainstreamed the Trump agenda like nothing before. Meanwhile, X’s innovative Community Notes feature has reliably fact-checked media outlets, network pundits, prominent politicians, and, when the situation calls for it, even Musk himself.

At the same time, Musk poured millions upon millions of dollars into the Trump campaign, boosting his reach even further and securing himself a spot in Trump’s inner circle.

However, with Trump bound for the White House once more, Musk’s most influential role may still be ahead of him.

At the helm of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency, Musk has been tasked with eliminating government waste, cutting down on unnecessary spending, and generally getting the US government back to work for the American people. The program is set to automatically sunset in 2026, and regardless of whether it succeeds in cutting back on bureaucratic inefficiency, Musk will emerge as perhaps the most powerful non-government individual in the nation’s history.

Already, Musk’s critics are propagating the narrative that he, not Trump, is the true power behind the next administration.

While it remains to be seen whether these fears are warranted, one thing has become clear after the 2024 election cycle: the mainstream media is dead, and Elon Musk’s X Corp has killed it.

The power once held by the establishment press has been returned to the public, where it is now wielded by an army of citizen journalists and independent podcasters.

The right people found each other in 2024.

If that unprecedented coalition can hold together long enough to implement lasting change, then the Future Looks Bright for 2025 and beyond!

Here’s a look back at the full list:

1. Elon Musk
2. Donald Trump
3. Alphabet, Google, and YouTube
4. Joe Rogan
5. Fox News
6. Mark Zuckerberg
7. Apple and Tim Cook
8. Netflix
9. TikTok and Shou Zi Chew
10. Jeff Bezos and the Washington Post
11. Bob Iger and Disney
12. OpenAI, ChatGPT
13. The New York Times
14. Cristiano Ronaldo
15. Taylor Swift
16. Dana White and the UFC
17. Spotify
18. MrBeast
19. Tucker Carlson
20. Paul Brothers
21. Charlie Kirk
22. Gutfeld
23. Matt Walsh
24. Sean Hannity
25. The View
26. Stephen A. Smith
27. Nelk Boys, “Full Send Podcast”
28. Theo Von
29. Alex Cooper, “Call Her Daddy”
30. Bret Baier
31. Dave Portnoy
32. Candace Owens
33. Pat McAfee
34. Piers Morgan
35. Megyn Kelly
36. Ben Shapiro
37. Dan Bongino
38. Jess Waters
39. Lex Fridman
40. Scott Jennings
41. Bill Maher
42. Matt Drudge
43. Ari Emmanuel and Mark Shapiro
44. Rumble + Chris Pavlovski
45. Andrew Schulz
46. Chris Cuomo
47. Mario Nawfal
48. “All-In” Podcast
49. Kristin Welker
50. Barron Trump

Connor Walcott is the lead writer for Valuetainment.com. Follow Connor on X and look for him on VT’s “The Unusual Suspects.”

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