Fox News does dish out news and commentary much like CNN though tears earlier, it was not termed even by members of the media as "mainstream". And I t still remains NOT mainstream. Yet, Fox News captures the news and cable audience through out the world because it is unique and very much unlike CNN, BBC , Bloomberg or even CBS.
Fox News is admittedly the Conservative view but it does not have any qualms in saying so nor pretending that it isn't what is really is - a pro-American worldwide cable news station. And what is wrong with that? Nothing, really. Except that it's truthful .
It dishes out both world news and US news making ex-pats abroad feel that they are not too far away because even small town news is is aired. Take Fox News unending coverage of the Natalie Halloway who still remains missing . or the issue of the alleged Duke University rape scandal or even the follow up stories on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
The good thing about Fox News is that it is not apologetic nor "shy" for being anti-terrorist and pro-American. After all, it is an American news cable network. It is straightforward about its stand on issues - be it the war against terrorism, the 2004 Presidential campaign, the FEMA fiasco after Katrina, oil issues and the moral bankrupcy of the United Nations.
Fox is not afraid to make enemies and is rather blunt but not as pathetically wanting to please as CNN which s why I frankly prefer watching Fox. Reportage is straightforward perhaps a bit raw but real - as did Geraldo Rivera in his magnificent coverage of Typhoon Katrina.. It is the Fox reporters typified by Rivera which makes Fox News more than an informal and cold news and commentary cable source.
Add Bill O' Reilley and you have a rather comprehensive and at times amusing mix of both the news and opinions. It is the uniqueness of Fox News which makes it extremely popular and the most loved "non-mainstream" cable news network.