The Empire State Building’s tower lights turned red, white and blue on Thursday night in honor of Fox News Channel’s 30th anniversary, part of a ceremony held at the Midtown Manhattan landmark’s Observation Deck.
“FOX & Friends” co-hosts Steve Doocy, Ainsley Earhardt, Brian Kilmeade and Lawrence Jones gathered at the deck to flip the switch and tour the building, which has long served as a backdrop for major New York celebrations and milestones.
Empire State Building General Manager Dan Rogoski addressed the group before the lighting, noting the network’s run since its 1996 debut.
“Since its launch in 1996, Fox News has grown from a new cable news network into an established presence in American television news. Over the past three decades, the network has covered some of the most consequential stories and events of our time, with generations of journalists, anchors, correspondents, producers and teams who have contributed to its 24-hour news coverage,” Rogoski said.
Doocy, who has been with the network since it launched on Oct. 7, 1996, thanked Fox Corporation Chairman Emeritus Rupert Murdoch, Fox Corp Executive Chair and CEO Lachlan Murdoch, Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott and Fox News Media President and Executive Editor Jay Wallace.
“You know, as one of the original people at the Fox News Channel based here in Midtown, we are delighted that the Empire State Building would honor us,” Doocy said.
Earhardt reflected on the moment as a milestone of her own, recalling childhood memories of the building from film.
“I love ‘Sleepless in Seattle,’ and I’ve never been up on the … I’m reminded of my 10-year-old self,” Earhardt said.
Kilmeade, speaking through a bout of laryngitis, compared the scene to a different movie, “Elf,” and credited the network with letting its on-air personalities be themselves.
“They hire you to be you. Anyone on the air that you like or dislike, you will feel the same way when you meet them, because they’re told to be that way and are allowed to be ourselves. It’s one of the most fortunate things that could ever happen to me personally,” Kilmeade said. “It’s truly a thrill to be here. I know Fox would be successful without me, but I’m sure happy to be along for the ride.”
He went on to thank company leadership directly.
“Thanks so much. Also, special thanks to Rupert Murdoch, who is relentless and opened up the wallet to do it. Lachlan Murdoch is cut out of the same mold in every way, and Suzanne Scott … she goes into the Hall of Fame for a reason. Unbelievable under pressure, great adjustments to this new marketplace, and Jay Wallace, one of the great success stories at Fox. Started at the very bottom and now is at the top,” Kilmeade said.
The gathering followed another honor for Scott, who was inducted into the Broadcasting+Cable Hall of Fame last week. Jones, who has often credited Scott with shaping his career, called being part of the ceremony a “dream come true.”
“What Rupert Murdoch did 30 years ago is truly legendary. There was a void in the market. He understood that there was an audience that was untapped and felt like they were underserved. And his son, Lachlan Murdoch, is keeping that tradition going. Without Suzanne Scott, Jay Wallace giving me the opportunity of a lifetime 10 years ago, I would not be able to stand before y’all today and be in a building that I only used to see in movies,” Jones said.
After the remarks, the four co-hosts flipped the switch together, bathing the iconic tower in Fox News’ signature red, white and blue.
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