Fox shifts to social distancing — a bit behind other broadcasters

By Matt Collins Article may include affiliate links

After first labeling the coronavirus outbreak “hysteria” and largely toeing the White House line of minimizing the risks, Fox phased in “social distancing” on its shows.

As of the morning of Monday, March 16, most multi-host shows on the conservative cable network were not implementing “social distancing” practices like other networks and stations phased in.

By 5 p.m. eastern, “The Five” had started implementing distancing in Studio F.

Starting Tuesday, however, both “Fox & Friends First” and “Fox & Friends” had hosts sitting in different areas of the studio instead of at the same desk or sofa.

“Fox & Friends” had Steve Doocy on the “curvy couch” on the mezzanine, Ainsley Earhardt in the “fishbowl” area that features a small work area and video wall and Brian Kilmeade at the “plastic” desk placed on the perimeter of Studio F’s video floor.

“Fox & Friends” often uses this desk during breaking news situations.

“Fox & Friends First,” meanwhile, which originates from Studio J, had one host at the desk as normal and another standing nearby next to a video panel.

Fellow Studio J show “America’s Newsroom” also had hosts Sandra Smith and Ed Henry in different areas of the space.