Fox News is undergoing a major overhaul of its primetime lineup following the departure of Tucker Carlson in April. The new lineup will see Jesse Watters move to 8 p.m., effectively replacing Carlson. Laura Ingraham, the host of the 10 p.m. show, will shift to 7 p.m., and Greg Gutfeld will move to 10 p.m. Sean Hannity will remain at 9 p.m. Additionally, the 11 p.m. hour will now be the home to “Fox News @ Night,” the news program anchored by Trace Gallagher.
While the new schedule brings significant changes to almost every hour of primetime, it also relies on familiar faces, which could potentially alleviate any concerns about ratings. The network hopes that the unique perspectives and expertise of Laura Ingraham, Jesse Watters, Sean Hannity, and Greg Gutfeld will continue to provide viewers with unparalleled news coverage and analysis for years to come. Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott expressed her excitement about the new lineup and the network’s commitment to delivering top-notch journalism.
The new lineup keeps Hannity at 9 p.m., where he has been a mainstay since the channel’s launch in 1996. Watters, who began his career as a producer for Bill O’Reilly when he led the 8 p.m. slot, will now occupy that critical hour. Ingraham, on the other hand, moves to 7 p.m., where she may have the potential to attract a larger audience, considering recent cable news ratings trends. Gutfeld’s move to 10 p.m. gives him an opportunity to establish himself in the late-night programming landscape.
Although Fox News has always maintained its dominance in the cable news ratings, its 8 p.m. ratings declined after Carlson’s departure. The rotating guest hosts were unable to fully recover the lost viewership, although some advertisers that had abandoned the hour returned after his exit. The suddenness of Carlson’s departure on April 24 without any explanation sparked various theories, from sealed text messages to secret settlements involving Dominion. However, the company has refrained from providing any specific rationale for his departure.
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Despite the changes in the primetime lineup, Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch assured Wall Street analysts that there was no change to the network’s programming strategy. He emphasized its success and mentioned that adjustments in programming and lineup decisions are part of their ongoing strategy.
Meanwhile, Carlson has found a new platform on Twitter, where he promises to bring a new version of the show that he has been doing for the past six and a half years. However, he will now have to compete with Fox News and its lineup, which appears to be strategically built to defend its position as a leading cable news network.
In conclusion, Fox News is revamping its primetime lineup following the departure of Tucker Carlson. The network is relying on familiar faces and unique perspectives to maintain its dominance in the cable news ratings. The new lineup aims to attract a larger audience and adapt to changing trends in viewership. Despite the shake-up, Fox News remains committed to delivering high-quality news coverage and analysis to its viewers.
