Fox Denies Report Sean Hannity Will Take Prime-Time Spot After Tucker Carlson’s Exit

Forbes ^ | 5/17/2023 | Ana Faguy

[nikos1121]

TOPLINE Fox News’ is still deciding who will take over the network’s prime-time spot previously held by Tucker Carlson, the network said Wednesday, after a report claimed Sean Hannity had been picked to take the 8 p.m. slot following the stunning ouster of the network’s top star earlier this month.

KEY FACTS The network is considering “multiple scenarios” but “no decision” on a new prime-time line-up has been made, a Fox News Spokesperson told Forbes. The response follows a Drudge Report story published earlier Wednesday which claimed the network’s plan was for Hannity to replace Carlson, with Jesse Watters and Greg Gutfeld rounding out the prime-time line-up. Lachlan Murdoch, CEO of Fox News, said “there’s no change to programming strategy,” while on an earnings call with investors last week, Variety reported. Since Carlson was abruptly ousted last month, a variety of people have hosted the 8 p.m. slot including Brian Kilmeade, Kayleigh McEnany and Lawrence Jones.

KEY BACKGROUND For years Carlson was the network’s star, known for his brash prime-time interviews after getting his start as a contributor in 2009 and gaining a prime-time slot in 2016 after the departure of Bill O’Reilly. In recent months he’s made headlines for his role in the massive defamation lawsuit brought by Dominion Voting Systems, which alleged several of the network’s hosts—including Carlson—broadcast conspiracy theories about the voting machine company. The host was also hit with a lawsuit claiming he subjected a former employee to a hostile and discriminatory work environment. Last month, Fox announced that it was parting ways with the anchor without citing a reason. The Wall Street Journal later reported that his vulgar language with colleagues led to his firing. Carlson’s show quickly became one of the most watched on cable TV and at Fox.

[nikos1121]

The original article was from Drudge, then Megyn Kelly confirmed it, but voiced her disapproval of the move.

Drudge also stated that Laura Ingraham was going to be fired also.

My prediction: If they put Hannity in the 8 PM slot, he'll crash and burn. Gutfield and Waters may do as good or even better than they are now. If they put Laura at 7, she might do well also.

If they fire Laura, she'll wind up somewhere else, and do even better.

The trend seems to be to pick up commentators like Megyn Kelly, who you can pick up from multiple sites online, and forego the cable news channels.

These dumb*ses at Fox don't realize that.

I for one, haven't watch ten seconds of any Fox broadcasts since Tucker left.

IN short, the 8 PM slot is going to be the kiss of death for anyone placed there.

A man walks past the News Corp. and Fox News headquarters on April 19, 2023, in New York. AP/MARY ALTAFFER

[dfwgator]

[Jeff Chandler]

I remember Fox News.

[euram]

I don’t care who they put where or who they fire, I stopped watching FOX.

[devane617]

Hannity, Ingram, Waters, etc., etc...all the same. Fox News died ages ago.

[peggybac]

I’ve read all over that Ingraham isn’t going anywhere. I am wondering where Gutfeld has been for the last two nights. I wish they would just put Will Cain in Tucker’s spot and call it a day. I can’t see Hannity as a lead in.

[nikos1121]

I think they are going to make the move as Drudge sourced.

[TBP]

The toughest primetime program other than Tucker was Laura Ingraham. Give Laura the 8 PM slot, and find something new for 10 PM.

[OKSooner]

No more fox news in my house none of the time.

No fox sports either. If they happen to pick up a broadcast of one of my local teams, I’ll just listen on the radio like we did in the old days and call it good.

[rktman]

Well I guess I won’t be tuning in after all. 😂😂😂😂. I wasn’t anyway. Haven’t watched any Foxweiser since Tucker’s last show. And who goes to drudge any more?

[nikos1121]

I think I’d watch if Laura or Jesse were put at 8.

[GSWarrior]

Rarely listen to Hannity because he’s usually three years behind the curve about what folks on FR/other places are talking about. Plus, he is super-annoying.

[nonliberal]

And a deep state bootlicker.

[budj]

Basic rule of conservative commentary:

Sean ain't Tucker. Never was, never will be.

[Responsibility2nd]

Man! I just came here to post a comment on how Fox News is rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.

But you are already here.

[BozoTexino]

What’s Fox?

[Leep]

Fox is the Rino’s answer to liberal noos.

[Williams]

Bingo. Will not let my tv touch that station.

[Shady]

I would rather spend my time right here on FR.

[jackibutterfly]

"A man walks past the News Corp. and Fox News headquarters on April 19, 2023, in New York. AP/MARY ALTAFFER"

So? So, what's the point of the statement and picture? Is that supposed to mean anything?