Megyn Kelly Leaving Fox News to Join NBC

Howard Kurtz reports the host who famously tangled with then-candidate Donald Trump wanted a schedule that allowed her to spend more time with her three children.

By Nancy Flory Published on January 3, 2017

Fox News host Megyn Kelly announced today that she is leaving the cable network for a job at NBC. In a statement posted to her Twitter account, Kelly said she learned a lot from her time at Fox but is looking forward to starting a new chapter in her career.

Over a dozen years ago I started at Fox News in a job that would change my life. Now, I have decided to end my time at FNC, incredibly enriched for the experiences I’ve had. I have agreed to join NBC News, where I will be launching a new daytime show Monday through Friday, along with a Sunday evening news magazine program. I will also participate in NBC’s breaking news coverage and its political and special events coverage. While I will greatly miss my colleagues at Fox, I am delighted to be joining the NBC family and taking on a new challenge. I remain deeply grateful to Fox News, to Rupert, Lachlan and James Murdoch, and especially to all of the FNC viewers, who have taught me so much about what really matters. More to come soon. Happy New Year, and God Bless.

Fox News media analyst Howard Kurtz reported Kelly’s kids were a factor in her decision, saying, “As she talked about her decision, it became clear that a top priority was a schedule that would allowed her to spend more time with her three young children, who went to bed before she returned home from her nighttime program.”

Megyn Kelly’s Career

Kelly began working with Fox News in 2004 as a Washington-based correspondent. In 2013 she moved to prime time with The Kelly File, which has she anchored since. Kelly catapulted herself to a new level of fame after moderating the August 6, 2015 Republican presidential debate and engaging in a testy exchange with then-presidential candidate Donald Trump. She also made news in 2016 when she joined several other current and former Fox News employees of accusing former Fox News guru Roger Ailes of sexual harassment.

Kelly’s contract was due to expire later this year, and her burst of fame after her dust-up with Donald Trump sent her national profile — and price — skyrocketing. Fox News worked hard to keep her, offering a reported $20 million a year. In the end, Peacock Network and promise of a daytime schedule won out. According to Kurtz, Kelly’s final day with Fox will be Friday.

Andrew Lack, Chairman of the NBCUniversal News Group, said, “Megyn is an exceptional journalist and news anchor, who has had an extraordinary career. She’s demonstrated tremendous skill and poise, and we’re lucky to have her.”

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