Fox Biz seeks popularity in populism

Lots of Americans own stocks or small businesses, but even more Americans pay taxes. And in that simple fact, Fox Business Network sees an opportunity for accomplishing the goal it was created for: overtaking CNBC as the No. 1 business network.

Launched in October 2007, FBN struggled early on to translate its promise to serve "Main Street, not Wall Street" into a clear, logical identity -- a struggle that's been reflected in ratings so low, the network still won't talk about them. But last fall's economic meltdown, and the government's response to it, have finally given Fox a raison d'etre: speaking for those who worry that the cure to the financial crisis might be worse than the disease. Hence this week's programming theme, Red Ink Week, "a full five days of coverage dedicated to uncovering how the government is spending taxpayers' money and how that will affect us in the future," as an FBN press release puts it.

"Americans have bailout fatigue," explains FBN anchor Cheryl Casone. "They're tired of watching taxpayer money go to private business."