Conservative powerhouse, Tucker Carlson, host of one of Fox News’ most popular television programs, has parted ways with the network. Man, when I woke up today, I did not expect to see this headline come across the feed. This departure comes after Fox lost Dan Bongino last week, who also had a popular show. I can’t speak for everyone else, but this seems like a bad omen for Fox News. Losing two big talents in a matter of days? Not a good look.
“FOX News Media and Tucker Carlson have agreed to part ways,” Fox News went on to say in statement, according to a report from the Daily Wire. “We thank him for his service to the network as a host and prior to that as a contributor.”
The network went on to say that Carlson has already hosted what would be his last episode of the popular program, “Tucker Carlson Tonight.”
“Mr. Carlson’s last program was Friday April 21st” the statement revealed. “Fox News Tonight will air live at 8 PM/ET starting this evening as an interim show helmed by rotating FOX News personalities until a new host is named,” the Daily Wire reported.
Carlson was a long time mainstay of the ratings for his prime time slot, consistently drawing a massive viewing audience that often far surpassed that of his competitors from other networks. What’s more, the reruns for Carlson’s show did far better than the original programming at other news networks. Let that sink in for a moment. Insane, right?
“A source told The Daily Wire Carlson’s staff was blindsided by the news and only learned late Monday morning when members received an email from the prime time star. Former CNN media reporter Brian Stelter, who often commented on Carlson’s coverage on his own show, called the move ‘earth-shattering,'” the report continued.
In a series of tweets from Stelter, former media reporter stated that the most shocking element of the news about Carlson leaving the network was that there was not going to be a farewell show. Makes you wonder if this was a mutual departure or if Carlson was actually fired. Could the loss of two big conservative names so close together be an indication that Fox News is shifting away from being center-right in their coverage? Time will tell.
Tucker Carlson is out at Fox News, effective immediately. This is an earth-shaking moment in cable news.
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) April 24, 2023
“The biggest ‘tell’ in Fox’s press release about Tucker Carlson’s exit is that he is not getting a final show. No chance to say goodbye on his own terms or point people to his next home. Fox says ‘Carlson’s last program was Friday April 21st,'” Stelter tweeted.
He then said that this loss might have a negative impact on Fox News, making negotiations with potential distributors more difficult.
“Tucker Carlson became, for a time, BIGGER than Fox News. His disappearance will ripple through Fox, the wider TV world and the GOP. One of the many impacts is $$$: Fox is pushing for higher carriage fees from distributors right now, and without Tucker, Fox has less leverage,” Stelter commented.
Keep in mind that this exit by Carlson comes a little less than a week after the network settled a lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems for just shy of $800 million. The company barely escaped a trial, which would have seen Carlson offering up testimony.
As of this writing, Carlson has yet to address his leaving the network.
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