Television host Chris Wallace announced Monday that he will leave CNN after hosting on the outlet for three years.
Wallace, who was previously a host on Fox News Channel’s Fox News Sunday and NBC News’ Meet The Press, told The Daily Beast that he plans to leave CNN to explore opportunities on independent platforms, such as streaming or podcasting. The 77-year-old newscaster said independent media “seems to be where the action is,” pointing to the significant impact podcasters like Joe Rogan and Charlamagne tha God have had on the 2024 presidential election.
“I don’t flatter myself to think I will have that sort of reach,” Wallace said. “This is the first time in 55 years I‘ve been between jobs.”
“I am actually excited and liberated by that,” Wallace continued.
After initially joining the outlet three years ago to participate in the streaming operation CNN+, Wallace has decided to not negotiate his seven-figure contract. CNN confirmed the departure to the Daily Caller News Foundation, releasing CEO Mark Thompson’s statement, which thanked the host for his time at the outlet and wished him luck on his future endeavors.
“Chris Wallace is one of the most respected political journalists in the news business with a unique track record across radio, print, broadcast television, cable television and streaming,” Thompson said. “We want to thank him for the dedication and wisdom he’s brought to all his work at CNN and to wish him the very best for the future.”
Since President-elect Donald Trump left office in 2020, CNN has continued to lose viewers, hitting its lowest-rated week in primetime viewership in May as it only hit 83,000 viewers among the 25-54 demo during the week of May 13 to 19 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., according to the New York Post.
Wallace did not immediately respond to the DCNF’s request for comment.
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