Chris Wallace officially signed off from his Fox News show. He will join CNN as a weekday reporter for its subscription streaming service. It is expected to debut in the early part of next year.
Wallace, 74, stated that, “This is my final ‘Fox News Sunday’. It is the last time – and I say this with real sadness – we will meet like this.”
Fox News confirmed the departure of his anchor to USA TODAY. A rotating cast will replace him until a permanent replacement can be announced.
“I am thrilled to join CNN+. After decades in broadcast and cable news, I am excited to explore the world of streaming. I look forward to the new freedom and flexibility streaming affords in interviewing major figures across the news landscape – and finding new ways to tell stories. As I embark on this adventure, I am honored and delighted to join Jeff Zucker and his great team. I can’t wait to get started,” Wallace continued.
Wallace didn’t reveal details about his next steps on Fox, but he said that he wanted to “try something new, to go beyond politics to all the things I’m interested in.”
“I’m up for a new adventure. He said, “I hope you’ll check it out.”
Wallace said, “And so – for the last time, dear friends – that’s it for today. Have a great week. And I hope you’ll keep watching ‘Fox News Sunday.’
Breaking media news during our media program today: Chris Wallace is joining CNN as an anchor for CNN+ pic.twitter.com/FOVuFbw0R8
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) December 12, 2021
“Wallace was a veteran broadcast newsman who worked at ABC and NBC News before Roger Ailes lured them to Fox with the promise that he would host his own Sunday program.
He was the first Fox News host to moderate a presidential discussion, in 2016, and 2020. The debate he moderated went off track last January when Donald Trump interrupted Joe Biden, the Democratic challenger.
Wallace was a co-operative member of Fox’s opinion side. He did not take them on public, but he stated that it was “bad form”, when opinion hosts criticized the media in 2017.
“I have been free to report to the best of my ability, to cover the stories I think are important, to hold our country’s leaders to account,” Wallace said Sunday. “It’s been a great ride.”
Even his announcement took guests off guard on Sunday; they weren’t tipped ahead of time.
“It may sound corny, but I feel we’ve built a community here. There’s a lot you can do on Sunday mornings. The fact you’ve chosen to spend this hour with us is something I cherish,” Wallace told his show’s audience.
Wallace was part of a prominent trio of Fox news anchors who provided a contrast to Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity’s opinion hosts. Bret Baier is still with Fox as the host of an evening news program based in Washington.
Fox’s statement said the network is “extremely proud of our journalism and the stellar team that Chris Wallace was a part of for 18 years. The legacy of ‘Fox News Sunday’ will continue with our star journalists, many of whom will rotate in the position until a permanent host is named.”
