Yellowstone is one of the most popular TV shows in recent memory.
The show’s impact on American pop culture is still being felt.
And Yellowstone inspired Sean Hannity to make this surprising career announcement.
Sean Hannity to host series about the American West
Television is – if it’s anything – a copycat business.
If a show hits it big, every network wants to tap into that genre.
Paramount Network created one of this generation’s biggest hits in Yellowstone.
Yellowstone tells the story of Kevin Costner’s John Dutton and the Dutton family’s fight to maintain their ranch land.
The series is wrapping up its run this November.
But Yellowstone inspired 2024 – a sequel series starring Matthew McConaughey – as well as prequel series’ 1883, 1923, and 1944.
Now Fox wants to try and tap into the Western genre.
To avoid completely ripping off Yellowstone, Fox’s attempt is a four-part docuseries hosted by Sean Hannity called Outlaws and Lawmen: The West.
Fox promoted the show as a program that “delve into true stories of legendary wild west outlaws and lawmen, exploring law versus crime and hero versus villain, ultimately revealing the rugged path that led to the rise of modern law enforcement.”
The pitch for Outlaws and Lawmen: The West
Fox announced that the show will profile famous figures from the west such as Billy the Kid, Butch Cassidy, and others.
“Each episode will feature a single character or duo’s story in a journey that re-imagines the volatile era, illustrating the West’s transition from lawless to law and order,” a Fox News press release read.
Hannity said the show would allow him to showcase his support for law enforcement and the role sheriffs played in turning the “Wild West” into a thriving part of American society.
“As our viewers know, I am a strong supporter of our men and women in law enforcement and I look forward to spotlighting a period of time that is pivotal in their origin,” Hannity stated.
The promotion for the show features Hannity decked out in denim standing in front of the backdrop of a dilapidated old West town and rolling hills.
Fox News’ strategy
Linear TV is a dying business.
Only 42 percent of homes now have cable TV.
That number is down from 73 percent in 2017.
The future of TV is streaming, and Fox wants to beef up their Fox Nation streaming service by adding programming like Outlaws and Lawmen: The West in the hopes it will appeal to fans of Sean Hannity and fans of the western genre.
In this regard, Fox is following the Yellowstone template in another way.
Yellowstone spinoffs 1883, 1923, and 1944 all premiered on the Paramount+ streaming service in an effort to build that platform’s subscriber base.
Fox Nation currently has a niche audience as it’s branded as the streaming arm of a cable news network.
Fox is hoping diversifying its programming lineup with a Yellowstone-styled history series featuring Sean Hannity might attract new subscribers.
