One of the most beloved Fox News hosts, Neil Cavuto, announced he will be leaving the network after almost three full decades with the company. The news left many in the news industry shocked as it’s just been assumed he would remain with the company until the world stopped spinning. While Cavuto might not be the most popular name on Fox, he’s been the most consistent and is a steady voice that will be gravely missed.
A report from Mediaite broke the news about Cavuto’s departure after 28 years with the network. The host’s final br0adcast will be Thursday. Mediaite revealed the reason for his exit is related to his contract, which expires at the end of the month.
“Cavuto is one of the few remaining on-air talent still with the network after joining at its inception in the late 1990s,” Mediaite went on to say in its report. “A beloved presence at Fox, his exit is not the consequence of any bad blood, but rather an increasingly common industry reality: Cavuto was offered a new contract, which he declined to accept his new deal. Fox wanted him to stay on board, but a source explained that he ultimately decided to leave.”
Fox spoke with Mediaite saying, “Neil Cavuto’s illustrious career has been a master class in journalism, and we’re extremely proud of his incredible 28-year run with FOX News Media. His programs have defined business news and set the standard for the entire industry. We wish him a heartfelt farewell and all the best on his next chapter.”
Mediaite also noted that Cavuto’s past tussles with President-elect Donald Trump has nothing to do with this departure. Fox is hardly unique in having personnel turnover, at least in the cable news space. CNN, for instance, has seen a number of high profile names leave recently. While some big names have seemingly left of their own accord (perhaps like Cavuto, they too rejected contracts), others, like Chris Cuomo and Don Lemon, have left under more auspicious circumstances. Most recently, CNN saw longtime contributor Gloria Borger leave. While she doesn’t quite have the 28-year tenure that Cavuto has at Fox, she was at CNN for roughly 17 years before her sudden departure.
The way the news industry works today is vastly different than in the past, largely due to how viewers and readers consume news product. Most watch videos and listen to podcasts or read online articles instead of watching television programs. Just look at the impact Joe Rogan, the world’s most popular podcast host, had on getting Donald Trump elected to the White House this year. He only backed him the day before the election, but that was all the time that was needed. Those who follow Rogan closely trust his judgment.
I’m not sure folks like Cavuto really want to go that route after all these years spent in broadcast television.
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