On Media Blog Archives Select Date… December, 2015 November, 2015 October, 2015 September, 2015 August, 2015 July, 2015 June, 2015 May, 2015 April, 2015 March, 2015 February, 2015 January, 2015

Glenn Beck offers to host GOP debate in place of NBC

Conservative TV and radio host Glenn Beck has offered to take over hosting the Republican presidential primary debate scheduled for Feb. 26.

In a letter sent to Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus on Monday, Beck, a former Fox News host and founder of conservative media company The Blaze, said his debate would reach a large block of conservatives in the country who have otherwise felt "excluded" from the Republican Party.

"Our plan is straightforward,” Beck wrote in the letter.“ Rather than being moderated by journalists who ask all the questions, I will host, and I will invite the greatest new conservative thinkers and media voices in America to prepare and ask questions live and by video. Our panel will offer the candidates an opportunity to discuss substantial issues of importance with authentic answers that are thoughtful and elevating to the entire party.”

Last week, the RNC suspended its relationship with NBC, which had been scheduled to host the debate in February. The GOP campaigns had planned to send a joint letter to hosting networks with a list of demands, but now candidate Donald Trump is planning to strike out on his own and negotiate directly with the networks, The Washington Post reports.

One thing is sure though — The Blaze does not have the same reach as NBC has. Its television channel is seen by about 12 million households — less than the 14 million who watched the CNBC debate last week . Approximately 116 million households get NBC, according to Nielsen. (The Blaze does plan to stream the debate online for free as well.)

We've reached out to the RNC for comment and will update here accordingly.