The First

About The First

Overview

The First (also called The First TV and stylized as The F1rst) is an American conservative opinion and commentary television network. Launched in October 2019, the network offers talk programming, news commentary, and interview shows built around a roster of well-known conservative hosts, including Bill O'Reilly, Dana Loesch, Jesse Kelly, Buck Sexton, and Liz Wheeler. The channel produces roughly 45 hours of original programming each week and describes itself as the home of "free speech, free ideas, and free TV." It is owned by The First Digital, Inc., and is available through streaming platforms, its own apps, and — since January 2023 — the DirecTV satellite and streaming lineup. Its official website is www.thefirsttv.com.

Launch in October 2019

The First launched in October 2019 on Pluto TV, the free ad-supported streaming platform owned by Paramount Global. It was started in partnership with Red Seat Ventures, a media company that specializes in building digital businesses around established media personalities. The timing was deliberate: the network entered the market as streaming was fragmenting the conservative media audience, with viewers migrating from cable to free streaming services and personality-driven digital shows. By launching on Pluto TV — one of the largest FAST platforms — The First gained instant national distribution without the carriage negotiations that traditional cable channels require. The model was lean: a small number of hosts, studio-based talk programming, and distribution through platforms that were hungry for news and opinion content.

Ownership

The network is owned by The First Digital, Inc. Its launch partnership with Red Seat Ventures connected it to a firm with deep experience in the conservative digital media space; Red Seat has worked with prominent radio and podcast personalities to build subscription and advertising businesses around their audiences. The ownership structure reflects the network's nature as a digital-first media venture rather than a legacy broadcaster: it was built for the streaming era, with low overhead, personality-driven programming, and revenue from advertising and platform distribution rather than cable subscriber fees.

The Host Lineup

The First launched with two hosts in October 2019: Jesse Kelly, a combat veteran and conservative commentator, and Buck Sexton, a former CIA analyst turned talk host. In January 2020 the network added California-based talk radio host Mike Slater and Dana Loesch, the former NRA spokesperson and nationally syndicated radio host, both of whom brought established audiences. On June 1, 2020, the network announced its biggest acquisition: Bill O'Reilly, the former Fox News Channel star, joined with his show No Spin News. O'Reilly had begun the online show in 2017 after his departure from Fox News, and his arrival gave The First its most recognizable name. In January 2023, former One America News host, CPAC speaker, and conservative podcaster Liz Wheeler joined the network. The roster also includes Josh Hammer, host of the legal program America on Trial with Josh Hammer, and Mike Baker, the former CIA officer who hosts The President's Daily Brief podcast.

Bill O'Reilly and No Spin News

O'Reilly's presence is central to the network's identity. One of the most successful hosts in cable news history, he anchored Fox News Channel's The O'Reilly Factor for two decades before leaving the network in 2017. His No Spin News program on The First continues the format his audience knows: a nightly rundown of the day's political news with O'Reilly's commentary, interviews, and his signature "Talking Points Memo" style analysis. The show is the network's flagship, and O'Reilly's large existing audience — built over decades on cable and carried over to his independent digital venture — gave The First immediate credibility and viewership when he signed on in mid-2020.

Programming and Format

The network's schedule is built around its hosts' daily and weekly shows, producing about 45 hours of original programming each week. Jesse Kelly hosts The Jesse Kelly Show, a primetime-style opinion program. Buck Sexton hosts Hold the Line, a weeknight program. Dana Loesch brings her long-running talk radio format to television, Mike Slater hosts his own program, and Liz Wheeler hosts her commentary show. Josh Hammer's America on Trial focuses on legal and constitutional issues, with particular attention to elections and the courts, while Mike Baker's The President's Daily Brief offers a national-security-flavored take on the news. The through-line is opinionated, personality-driven conservative commentary — talk television in the tradition of cable news primetime, produced for streaming audiences.

DirecTV Carriage

In January 2023, The First achieved a major distribution milestone when it was added to DirecTV's channel lineup. The timing was notable: DirecTV had just dropped Newsmax TV from its lineup after a carriage-fee dispute, with the satellite provider saying Newsmax's demands would have led to significantly higher costs for consumers. The First was positioned as the replacement conservative commentary channel, and DirecTV's chief content officer Rob Thun said the company valued "different viewpoints and perspectives" and looked forward to helping The First expand its audience. The move put The First in front of DirecTV's millions of satellite and streaming subscribers and marked its arrival as a recognized player in the conservative television landscape, alongside Newsmax and Fox News.

Digital Platforms and Apps

True to its streaming origins, The First maintains a robust digital presence. Its programming streams on Pluto TV, where it launched, and the network offers its own free apps for mobile and connected-TV devices, a free daily newsletter, and an active YouTube channel ("TheFirstonTV") where full episodes and clips are posted. The network is active on Facebook, Instagram, and X, using social platforms to distribute segments and drive viewers to its shows. This multi-platform approach — linear-style streaming channels plus on-demand clips plus apps — is designed to reach conservative viewers wherever they watch, whether they are cord-cutters on FAST platforms or DirecTV subscribers.

Brand and Editorial Identity

The First describes its mission in populist terms: it says it exists for Americans whose voices have been ignored — people passionate about American values who are conservative in their views but not beholden to any party's talking points, independent thinkers who rely on facts, context, and perspective. Its tagline positioning as the home of "free speech, free ideas, and free TV" speaks directly to an audience that believes mainstream media marginalizes conservative viewpoints. The network's hosts share a confrontational, opinion-forward style, and its programming leans into the cultural and political debates that animate the American right, from elections and immigration to media bias and free speech.

Place in Conservative Media

The First operates in a competitive conservative television ecosystem that includes Fox News Channel, Newsmax, One America News, Real America's Voice, and the Blaze Media network. Its niche is personality-driven opinion programming delivered through streaming-first distribution — a lighter, more flexible model than the 24-hour news operations of its larger rivals. By building around established hosts with loyal followings rather than a traditional newsroom, The First keeps costs low while offering the kind of combative commentary its audience seeks. Its addition to DirecTV in 2023 signaled that distributors now treat it as a meaningful outlet in the category, not merely a streaming curiosity.

How to Watch

The First is available on DirecTV (satellite and streaming), on Pluto TV and other free streaming platforms, through the network's free apps for mobile and connected-TV devices, and on its YouTube channel. Full episodes, clips, show information, and the app download are available at the official website, www.thefirsttv.com, which also offers a free daily email newsletter. The network's social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and X provide highlights and updates from its hosts' daily programs.

In summary: The First (The First TV) is a conservative opinion and commentary network launched in October 2019 on Pluto TV in partnership with Red Seat Ventures, owned by The First Digital, Inc. Its hosts include Bill O'Reilly (No Spin News), Dana Loesch, Jesse Kelly, Buck Sexton (Hold the Line), Mike Slater, Liz Wheeler, Josh Hammer (America on Trial), and Mike Baker (The President's Daily Brief), producing about 45 hours of original programming weekly. Added to DirecTV in January 2023 after the provider dropped Newsmax, the network streams on FAST platforms and its own apps, with details at www.thefirsttv.com.